Brookie Bars
if you love both brownies and cookies, then you’ll absolutely love brookies! Brookies are a delicious combination of two classic desserts, creating a mouthwatering treat that’s perfect for any occasion. These tasty treats are made by combining the fudgy goodness of a brownie with the chewy texture of a cookie, resulting in a dessert that’s both rich and satisfying.
The origin of the brookie is unclear, but it’s believed that this dessert was first created by home bakers experimenting in their kitchens. The idea of combining brownies and cookies may seem simple, but the perfect brookie requires just the right balance of ingredients and baking techniques. While recipes for brookies vary, the most popular method involves creating a brownie batter and a cookie dough, and then layering the two in a baking dish.
One of the great things about brookies is that they offer the best of both worlds. If you’re a fan of brownies, then you’ll love the fudgy, chocolatey goodness that comes with each bite of a brookie. And if you’re a cookie lover, you’ll appreciate the chewy, slightly crunchy texture that’s characteristic of a well-made brookie.
Another reason to love brookies is that they’re incredibly versatile. While the classic brookie features a chocolate brownie and a chocolate chip cookie dough, you can easily switch up the flavors to suit your tastes. For example, you can use a peanut butter cookie dough for a peanut butter chocolate brookie, or swap out the chocolate chips for white chocolate or butterscotch.
Making brookies is also a great activity to do with kids, as it’s a fun way to introduce them to baking. Because brookies are a combination of two classic desserts, they’re sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike.
In conclusion, brookies are a delicious and satisfying dessert that offer the perfect combination of brownies and cookies. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or just for a fun baking project with the kids, brookies are sure to be a crowd-pleaser. So why not try making your own batch of brookies today and experience the deliciousness for yourself!
These particular brownie cookie or Brookie bars are the best of both worlds! That is the cookie and brownie world and using a boxed brownie mix makes them super easy and you won’t even taste the difference. Don’t get me wrong scratch brownies are great, but if you’re pressed for time, a boxed brownie does the trick. After all the finished product is what’s important, not how hard you slaved over them.
I am all for a traditional homemade brownie, but there are times when shortcuts are not only necessary but you won’t be able to tell the difference. When I last made these I was pressed for time as I was preparing meals for a family member who recently had been in an accident. I wanted to take some good wholesome meals, but who doesn’t want a little sweet now and then, and I am sure her hubby and kids appreciated the sweets.
A brookie basically is a combination of brownies and cookies, in this case, chocolate chip cookies. They are easy to make and always a hit! For the brownies you will need the typical boxed brownie add-ins, eggs, water, and oil. I also like to add instant espresso powder (to the water), to pump up the chocolate flavor. Like, who doesn’t like more chocolate flavor? For the cookie I make a basic chocolate chip cookie with the usual suspects. Flour, sugar (brown and white), butter, eggs, vanilla, baking powder and baking soda, salt, and of course chocolate chips or morsels (whatever you have on hand).
The recipe below will give you enough cookie dough that you will have leftovers. I always bake the leftover dough into cookies. You should get between 10-12 cookies depending on the size and how generously you covered the brownie mix.
If you don’t feel like baking cookies as well, you can halve the cookie recipe or you could freeze the cookie dough. I recommend scooping it into cookie portions then freezing them on parchment for a couple of hours, then place them in a bag in the freezer for when you do want fresh cookies. Cook them from frozen, just add about 5 extra minutes to the cook time, or until they’re golden brown on the bottoms.
Brookie Bars
Equipment
- 1 9×13 sheet pan This is a quarter sheet (you can use a cake pan also)
Ingredients
For the Brownie Base
- 1 Box Store bought Chocolate Brownie Mix Make as directed
- 2 eggs, at room temperature depending on box recipe
- oil as per recipe on box
- water as per recipe on box
- 1 Tbsp espresso powder *I add this to intensify the chocolate flavor but you can leave it out if you don't have it on hand.
For The Cookies
- 2¼ cups all purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup butter, softened
- ¾ cup white granulated sugar
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 lg eggs, room temp
- 2 cups chocolate chips of choice *I use ghirardelli
Instructions
- spray your pan with non stick spray, then cover with parchment paper, making sure to go up each side for easy removal. Preheat oven to 350℉
For the Brownie
- Make the brownie according to the package directions with the addition of the espresso powder (if using-just add it to the water).
- Pour the brownies into the prepared pan and set aside while you make the cookie batter
For the Cookie Batter
- Cream together your butter and sugars, with hand mixer
- Add the eggs one at a time and continue mixing
- Add the vanilla
- Sift together all of the dry ingredients, then add to the wet ingredients (above) a little at a time, incorporating between additions until it has all been added. The dough will be thick.
- With a wooden spoon, add in the chocolate chips and combine.
For the Brookie Bars
- Take spoonfuls of the cookie dough and press them into the brownie base leaving just a little bit of the brownie peeking through the spaces. (you will have leftover cookie dough-bake or freeze it)
- Once the brownie base is covered, use a sheet of parchment over the top of the dough and flatten the top so that it is pretty much level.
- Bake according to the brownie instructions or at least 40 minutes. Cover the top with foil for the first 15 minutes to prevent the cookie dough from browning too quickly.
- Test for doneness at 40 minutes, if the brownie isn't quite done give it more time and test at 3 minute intervals until done.
- Let the brookie bars cool in the pan for at least an hour before removing and slicing.
Notes
Tips for the Perfect Brookie Bars:
- Use high-quality ingredients. The quality of your ingredients will greatly affect the taste and texture of your brookie bars. Use good quality chocolate, butter, flour, and sugar to ensure that your brookie bars turn out delicious.
- Chill your cookie dough. Chilling your cookie dough for at least 30 minutes before adding it to the brownie batter will help the dough hold its shape and prevent it from spreading too much while baking.
- Use a toothpick to check doneness. Because brookie bars are a combination of brownies and cookies, it can be hard to tell when they’re done. Use a toothpick to check for doneness by inserting it into the center of the bars. If it comes out clean, your brookie bars are ready.
- Don’t overbake. Overbaking your brookie bars can result in a dry, crumbly texture. Keep an eye on them while they bake, and remove them from the oven as soon as they’re fully cooked.
- Let them cool completely. It can be tempting to cut into your brookie bars as soon as they come out of the oven, but it’s important to let them cool completely before slicing (even refrigerate for a bit). This will help them hold their shape and prevent them from falling apart.
- Experiment with flavors. While the classic brookie recipe calls for chocolate brownies and chocolate chip cookies, you can get creative with your flavors. Try using different types of chocolate, or adding in nuts, dried fruit, or other mix-ins to create your own unique brookie bars.
- Store them properly. To keep your brookie bars fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. You can also freeze them for up to 2 months, but be sure to wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn.
- Use room temperature eggs. It helps the ingredients incorporate better.
- Spray and line your pan to make it easier to get them out once they’ve cooled.
- Cook them according to the brownie cook time, checking frequently towards the end and adjust your time as needed.
- Cover for the first 15 minutes so the cookie batter doesn’t end up too dark.
