Brookies are the ultimate dessert mashup, bringing together the fudgy richness of brownies and the chewy delight of cookies in one irresistible bite. This recipe layers brownie batter with chocolate chip cookie dough, creating a dessert that is crisp on the edges, soft in the center, and packed with chocolatey goodness. Perfect for bake sales, parties, or cozy evenings, brookies deliver the best of both worlds without the need to choose between cookies or brownies.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Brookies satisfy two cravings at once: the deep chocolate intensity of brownies and the chewy, buttery sweetness of cookies. They’re fun to make, eye-catching, and easy to portion into squares for serving. The texture contrast between the soft brownie base and the slightly crisp cookie top makes them uniquely satisfying. With just a few pantry staples, you can create a dessert that looks impressive but comes together quickly, making it perfect for both beginner and experienced bakers.
Easy Brookies (Brownie Cookies) Recipe
When it comes to desserts, the choice between brownies and cookies can feel like an impossible decision. Brownies deliver dense, fudgy indulgence, while cookies provide chewy, buttery bites with bursts of chocolate. Brookies eliminate the need to decide, combining the best qualities of both into a single dessert that feels decadent, playful, and downright irresistible.
The concept of brookies is simple but brilliant. A layer of brownie batter forms the foundation, offering a rich chocolate base with a dense yet tender crumb. On top of that sits a layer of chocolate chip cookie dough, baked to golden perfection. Together, the two layers fuse into a dessert that feels indulgent yet balanced, providing a variety of textures and flavors in each bite.
Brownies bring their signature richness from cocoa powder and melted chocolate. Their soft, slightly gooey texture ensures that every bite feels indulgent. Cookies, on the other hand, add sweetness and structure. The dough provides a contrasting crunch around the edges, while the chocolate chips melt into pockets of flavor. Combined, they become more than the sum of their parts.
The beauty of brookies lies in their adaptability. You can use homemade brownie and cookie recipes or take shortcuts with boxed mixes. Either way, the result is consistently delightful. For those short on time, boxed brownie mix paired with cookie dough delivers quick results without sacrificing taste. For those who enjoy baking from scratch, customizing both layers allows for complete control over flavor and texture.
Brookies are also versatile in how they can be served. Cut into squares, they make portable treats for picnics, potlucks, and bake sales. Served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, they transform into a decadent plated dessert. Even at room temperature, they remain satisfying and full of flavor, making them a great option for storing in a cookie jar or lunchbox.
The flavors of brookies strike a perfect balance between chocolatey richness and buttery sweetness. The cookie dough tempers the intensity of the brownie, while the brownie provides depth to the cookie layer. Together, they create harmony that appeals to both chocolate lovers and cookie enthusiasts.
For bakers, brookies offer the joy of experimentation. You can swap in peanut butter chips, caramel swirls, or even nuts for extra texture. Seasonal variations, such as adding peppermint chips for winter or pastel candies for spring, make brookies adaptable to different occasions and holidays.
What also makes this dessert special is its fun, playful nature. Brookies are not just a treat—they’re a conversation starter. When served at gatherings, they often spark curiosity and excitement as people discover the delightful combination of two classic desserts baked together.
The texture of brookies is one of their most appealing features. The edges crisp up beautifully, providing satisfying bite and contrast to the soft, chewy center. The layers blend just enough to create cohesion but remain distinct enough to showcase their individual qualities. This duality ensures that every bite is interesting and indulgent.
Another benefit of brookies is how well they store. They keep for several days at room temperature without losing their texture, and they freeze beautifully for longer storage. This makes them an excellent choice for make-ahead baking, ensuring you always have a sweet treat on hand.
For families, brookies can also become a fun baking project. Kids enjoy layering the batters, watching the dessert transform in the oven, and—of course—helping taste-test the results. It’s a dessert that’s simple enough for beginners yet rewarding for seasoned bakers who love to share.
Brookies also reflect modern dessert trends that celebrate creativity and fusion. Rather than sticking to tradition, they embody a playful spirit, combining beloved classics into something fresh and exciting. They show how familiar ingredients can come together in innovative ways, surprising the palate while still offering comfort.
Ultimately, brookies are more than just a dessert—they’re a joyful expression of indulgence. They prove that you don’t have to choose between brownies and cookies when you can have both in a single, delicious square. Whether enjoyed with a cup of coffee, shared among friends, or savored as a midnight snack, brookies are guaranteed to leave smiles behind.
Servings
Yield: 16 squares
Time
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Prep Time: 20 minutes
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Bake Time: 35 minutes
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Cooling Time: 30 minutes
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Total Time: ~1 hour 25 minutes
Ingredients
For the Brownie Layer:
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½ cup unsalted butter, melted
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1 cup granulated sugar
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2 large eggs
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
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½ cup all-purpose flour
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¼ teaspoon baking powder
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¼ teaspoon salt
For the Cookie Layer:
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½ cup unsalted butter, softened
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½ cup brown sugar, packed
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¼ cup granulated sugar
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1 large egg
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
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½ teaspoon baking soda
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¼ teaspoon salt
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1 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line an 8×8-inch baking pan.
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For the brownie layer: whisk together melted butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Add cocoa powder, flour, baking powder, and salt, mixing until just combined. Spread evenly in the prepared pan.
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For the cookie layer: beat softened butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar until creamy. Add egg and vanilla, mixing until smooth. Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips.
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Drop spoonfuls of cookie dough over the brownie batter and spread gently into an even layer.
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Bake for 35–40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs (not wet batter).
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Cool completely before slicing into squares.
Tips
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For fudgier brookies, slightly underbake and allow them to finish setting while cooling.
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Use parchment paper to lift them easily from the pan for neat slices.
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Add nuts or caramel drizzle for extra texture and flavor.
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Serve warm with ice cream for a decadent treat.
Easy Brookies (Brownie Cookies) Recipe
Ingredients
For the Brownie Layer:
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the Cookie Layer:
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- ½ cup brown sugar packed
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line an 8×8-inch baking pan.
- For the brownie layer: whisk together melted butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Add cocoa powder, flour, baking powder, and salt, mixing until just combined. Spread evenly in the prepared pan.
- For the cookie layer: beat softened butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar until creamy. Add egg and vanilla, mixing until smooth. Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips.
- Drop spoonfuls of cookie dough over the brownie batter and spread gently into an even layer.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs (not wet batter).
- Cool completely before slicing into squares.
Notes
- For fudgier brookies, slightly underbake and allow them to finish setting while cooling.
- Use parchment paper to lift them easily from the pan for neat slices.
- Add nuts or caramel drizzle for extra texture and flavor.
- Serve warm with ice cream for a decadent treat.