Get ready for a treat that wears two of your favorite dessert hats at once! Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies are the dream combo that merge the best of ooey-gooey brownies with golden, chewy chocolate chip cookies. Every bite delivers that deep, fudgy chocolate flavor swirled with buttery cookie and melty chocolate chips — you get the urge to take just one more sliver, over and over again. Whether you call them “brookies” or simply a stroke of genius, these bars are meant to delight chocolate lovers and cookie fans alike.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Don’t be intimidated — making Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies only calls for kitchen staples that team up to yield an irresistibly decadent treat. From rich cocoa for that classic brownie base, to a handful of chocolate chips for perfect cookie swirls, every ingredient brings something essential to the table.
- Unsalted Butter (Brownie & Cookie layers): Butter is the base of both batters, lending richness and helping create that ideal chewy-meets-fudgy texture.
- Granulated Sugar: White sugar gives the brownie layer its crackly top and helps the cookies turn out perfectly soft and sweet.
- Brown Sugar (Cookie layer): Brown sugar amps up moisture and adds a subtle caramel flavor to the cookie layer.
- Large Eggs: Eggs provide structure and help bind the two batters, ensuring every bar holds together with a tender crumb.
- Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla rounds out both layers with its cozy aroma and warmth.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: The soul of any brownie, unsweetened cocoa gives an intense chocolate flavor and that deep, dark brownie color.
- All-Purpose Flour: All-purpose flour serves as the backbone for both layers, providing just enough chew.
- Salt: A pinch of salt balances out the sweetness and makes the flavors pop.
- Baking Powder (Brownie) & Baking Soda (Cookie): These leaveners help each layer rise the way it should for that perfect cookie-brownie marriage.
- Chocolate Chips: Semi-sweet chips add gooey bursts of melted chocolate dotted through the cookie layer.
How to Make Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Get your oven going at 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, letting a little hang over the edges for easy lifting. Give it a quick mist of cooking spray to ensure these bars never stick — you’ll want every crumb!
Step 2: Mix the Brownie Layer
Grab a medium bowl and whisk together the melted butter with granulated sugar until it’s smooth and glossy. Crack in the eggs and add the vanilla, whisking them in until creamy. Next, sprinkle in the cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder. Stir everything together just until combined — overmixing makes brownies tough. Pour this luscious chocolate batter into your prepared pan and smooth it out evenly.
Step 3: Make the Cookie Layer
In a separate bowl, start the cookie dough by creaming softened butter with both sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla for a rich, smooth base. Now mix in the flour, baking soda, and salt, stirring until almost combined. Fold in those chocolate chips to distribute them evenly throughout your dough. This is the magic half that turns brownies into Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies!
Step 4: Layer It Up
Scoop spoonfuls of cookie dough right over the brownie batter in the pan, spacing them around for even coverage. Don’t stress about being perfect — a rustic look means more bites where the two layers swirl together! Gently spread or flatten the cookie dough with a spatula so you get a good marbled effect but still have distinct cookie chunks.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Slide the pan into your oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. You want the top golden and just set, while a toothpick poked into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. If you love gooey centers, aim for the shorter baking time; if you like things more set, give it a few extra minutes.
Step 6: Cool and Slice
This is the tough part: let your Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies cool completely right in the pan! For clean edges, chill the pan in the fridge before slicing into bars. Lift the whole slab out using your parchment overhang, then cut into generous squares and prepare for applause.
How to Serve Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies
Garnishes
Dress up your bars with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of warm chocolate sauce, or just a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. You can even dust them with a little powdered sugar for a classic bakery-style look. Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies are rich enough to shine on their own, but a simple garnish can take things totally over the top.
Side Dishes
Pairing dessert with more treats? Try offering fresh berries, creamy whipped cream, or even a mug of strong coffee alongside your Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies. Their luscious, chocolatey richness plays so well with light, tangy, or creamy add-ons — creating that satisfying finish to any meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, cut your bars in fun shapes using cookie cutters, or layer pieces in a parfait glass with ice cream and hot fudge for an instant sundae. The contrasting layers make these bars pop on a dessert platter, and individually wrapping squares in parchment with a ribbon turns them into thoughtful edible gifts!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They’ll stay wonderfully soft and chewy, and the flavors actually deepen after a day — if you can resist eating them all at once!
Freezing
Want to save some for later? Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies freeze fantastically. Once cooled and sliced, wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap and pop them in a zip-top freezer bag. Keep them frozen for up to 2 months; just thaw at room temp when that craving hits.
Reheating
For that just-baked, melty feel, reheat individual brownies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. If you’re warming up a bigger batch, cover them loosely with foil and gently heat in a low oven (300°F) until just warmed through.
FAQs
Can I double this recipe for a bigger crowd?
Absolutely! Just double all the ingredients and bake in a 9×13-inch pan. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the bake time, so keep an eye on the center and test it with a toothpick for doneness.
Can I make Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies gluten-free?
Yes, swap out the all-purpose flour for your favorite gluten-free 1:1 baking blend. Make sure your baking powder, baking soda, and chocolate chips are certified gluten-free, and you’ll still get that classic texture.
Can I add nuts or other mix-ins?
Go for it! Stir in up to a half cup of chopped toasted walnuts, pecans, or even caramel bits into either the brownie or cookie layer. It’s an easy way to add crunch and make these bars your own.
Why do my bars turn out dry or cakey?
Be careful not to overbake — pull them from the oven when a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs, not when it’s totally clean. Also, be sure to measure your flour lightly, as too much can make the bars dense.
Can I use a boxed brownie mix for the bottom layer?
If you’re in a hurry, a boxed mix works just fine for the brownie layer of Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies. Prepare the mix as directed, then top with the homemade cookie dough as in the original recipe.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like the first bite of homemade Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies — it’s dessert magic, pure and simple. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion, sharing with friends, or just treating your own sweet tooth, these bars have a way of making big moments (and everyday afternoons) memorable. Make a batch soon, and let them wow you!
Print
Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies Recipe
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the perfect marriage of rich, fudgy brownies and chewy chocolate chip cookies with these decadent Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies. These bars are a delightful treat for any occasion, combining two classic favorites into one irresistible dessert.
Ingredients
Brownie Layer:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
Cookie Layer:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper and lightly grease.
- Make the brownie layer: In a medium bowl, whisk together melted butter and sugar until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla and mix until combined. Stir in cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder until fully incorporated. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
- Make the cookie layer: In a separate bowl, cream the softened butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Add flour, baking soda, and salt, mixing just until combined. Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Assemble and bake: Drop spoonfuls of cookie dough over the brownie batter and gently spread or flatten with a spatula. Bake for 30–35 minutes or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs.
- Cool and serve: Cool completely in the pan before slicing into bars.
Notes
- Chill before cutting for cleaner edges.
- For extra indulgence, serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 23 g
- Sodium: 140 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
