Brookie Bars
Two desserts in one are what you get with brookie bars! Brownies meet cookies in these bars that have a rich and fudgy brownie base with a layer of chocolate chip cookie dough on top. It’s the perfect balance!
When you can’t decide between making brownies or making chewy chocolate chip cookies, brookie bars are the recipe you make. The two flavors in one will be the reason you keep going back for another bite!
Brownie and chocolate chip cookie bars are the perfect treat for all ages! They strike a perfect balance between chocolatey goodness and cookie crunch and are a popular treat for potlucks, lunchboxes or even to curb a late snack craving!
When it comes to cookie recipes and bars, it can be hard to choose a favorite. While I love these brownie cookies, the brownie cookie bars are my new obsession!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love Brookies
- Best of both: When you can’t decide between cookies or brownies, brookies are the answer! It’s a harmonious blend of flavors in each bite.
- Chewy and fudgy: With a brownie base a brookie is both chewy and fudgy while the cookie layer on top just adds to the indulgence!
- Gooey and delicious: The only thing better than a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie is when that cookie is mixed with a brownie!
- Chocolate lover approved: Chocoholics rejoice! Super rich brownies and cookie dough loaded with dark chocolate chips combine two classic desserts into one!
Ingredients Needed
Here are the basic ingredients you need for this brookie bar recipe! Check the recipe card for specific amounts.
- Dark chocolate: I always use quality dark chocolate bars that I chop into pieces for my brownies. You will also need dark chocolate chips.
- Butter: You will need unsalted butter for both the brownie layer and chocolate chip cookie dough.
- Sugars: You will need both granulated white sugar and brown sugar.
- Eggs: Four eggs in total are needed for both the brownies and cookie dough.
- Vanilla extract: Adds rich flavor to both layers.
- All-purpose flour: This adds structure to both layers.
- Baking soda: A leavening agent needed for the cookie dough
- Salt: Enhances the taste in both layers.
Substitutions and Variations
- Boxed mix: We won’t tell if you don’t! Use a boxed brownie mix instead of homemade brownies and you could use a boxed or packaged cookie mix, too.
- Baking chips: Dark chocolate chips are my favorite, but you could use white chocolate chips, semi-sweet chocolate chips, peanut butter chips or toffee chips.
- Nuts: Add some nutty flavor like chopped pecans, walnuts, almonds or pistachios. You could add about ½ cup nuts to each batter.
- Coconut: You could sprinkle some coconut on top before baking if you love that coconut-nutty flavor.
- Candies: Add some M&Ms to the cookie dough or brownie batter or both!
How to Make Brookie Bars
To start, make the brownie batter. In a large bowl over a bain marie or in the microwave melt the chocolate and butter together. Stir until the chocolate mix is melted and smooth.
Stir in the granulated sugar until combined and then stir in the eggs and vanilla until smooth. Add in the flour and salt and mix until just combined.
Spoon the brownie batter into the prepared pan using a rubber spatula or offset spatula and set aside.
To make cookie dough, in a large bowl whisk together dry ingredients including the flour, baking soda and salt and set aside.
In another large bowl using an electric mixer beat together the butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla until smooth.
Add the dry ingredients into the butter mixture. Stir in 1 cup of chocolate chips and mix it all together.
Spread the cookie batter on top of the brownie batter.
Bake at 350°F for approximately 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few crumbs.
Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips, pressing them down lightly into the dough. Let brookie bars cool completely on a wire rack and cut into squares before serving. Enjoy!
Expert Tips for Brookie Bars
- Lightly beat eggs: Don’t skip this step! These brownies don’t have any other leavener so lightly beating them helps the brownies develop that rich flavor needed for the recipe.
- Additional chocolate chips: After your bars have come out of the oven, press a few chocolate chips on top for a bakery style presentation! This makes them perfect for sharing with friends.
- Line pan with parchment paper: This makes it easier to lift the brownies out of the pan and cut them into squares for serving.
- Cool completely: It’s tough to wait for the bars to cool but if you slice them too soon they will fall apart. It’s worth the wait!
- Serving suggestions: Warm out of the pan is how I like them! You may like them chilled or with a drizzle of caramel sauce or hot fudge! Add a scoop of ice cream or even this chocolate ice cream for the best treat!
FAQs
What is a brookie?
A cross between a cookie and brownie, a brookie has a brownie layer topped with a cookie layer for the best of both.
Can I swirl my brookie bars instead of layering them?
Yes, but it is not so much a swirl. Instead of layering the cookie dough over the brownie base, dollop small spoonfuls of it over the brownie batter.
How to know when brookie bars are done?
Be patient, brookie bars take awhile to bake as they are thick in texture. While underbaking might add to an even more gooey texture, it can also lead them to sinking in the middle. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. There should be no wet batter stuck to the toothpick.
How to store leftover cookie brownies?
Store covered in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. Warm up slightly in the microwave to enjoy again!
Can I freeze brookies?
If you don’t plan on eating all your homemade brookies before they go stale, you can freeze them. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap then in foil. Store in a freezer safe container for 3 months. Thaw wrapped and then enjoy.
More Favorite Dessert Recipes to Try
- Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
- Chocolate Stuffed Cookies
- Double Chocolate Oatmeal Bars
- Chocolate Oreo Bread
- Best Nanaimo Bars
Brookie Bars
Ingredients
Brownie Batter
- 6 ounces Dark chocolate – chopped
- ½ cup Butter – unsalted
- ½ cup Granulated sugar
- 3 large Eggs – lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 1 cup All purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon Salt
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup All purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon Baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- ½ cup Unsalted butter – softened
- ½ cup Brown Sugar – packed
- ½ cup Granulated sugar
- 1 large Egg
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 1½ cups Dark Chocolate chips – divided
Instructions
Brownie Batter
- Grease a 9 inch square cake pan and line with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl heat together the chocolate and butter on top of a bain marie on medium to low heat or in a microwave. Stir until the chocolate mix is melted and and smooth. Stir in the sugar until combined and then stir in the eggs and vanilla until smooth. Add in the flour and salt and mix until just combined.
- Spoon the batter into the cake pan levelling it off with a spatula or offset spatula and set it aside.
Cookie Dough
- Pre-heat the oven to 350F (180C).
- In a large bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt and set it aside.
- In another large bowl beat together the butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla until smooth.
- Add the dry ingredients into the butter mixture. Stir in 1 cup of chocolate chips and mix it all together.
- Spread the cookie dough batter evenly over the brownie batter in the pan.
- Bake for approximately 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean or with just a few crumbs.
- When ready, sprinkle with remaining chocolate chips pressing them down lightly into the dough. Let the bars cool completely on a wire rack and cut into squares before serving. Enjoy!