If you adore the rich, fudgy decadence of brownies and the buttery, chewy goodness of chocolate chip cookies, you are going to fall head over heels for this Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies Recipe. This recipe cleverly marries the two beloved desserts into one wonderfully indulgent treat that’s perfect for any occasion. From the first bite, you’ll experience a luscious brownie base topped with pockets of soft cookie dough dotted with melty chocolate chips, creating a texture and flavor combination that’s hard to resist. Whether you’re baking for friends, family, or just treating yourself, this dessert promises pure bliss in every square.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is the first step to mastering this Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies Recipe. Each component plays a crucial role, from the rich melted butter that fuels the fudginess to the subtle balance of sugars that give the cookie layer its irresistible chew and flavor depth.
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted: Provides a rich, buttery base essential for the brownie’s fudgy texture.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create the perfect brownie crust.
- 2 large eggs: Bind the brownie ingredients together while adding moisture.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Boosts flavor depth in both layers.
- ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder: Gives the brownies their intense chocolate flavor and beautiful dark color.
- ½ cup all-purpose flour: Provides structure without making the brownies cakey.
- ¼ teaspoon salt: Enhances all the chocolate and sweet flavors.
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder: Gives just enough lift to balance the dense brownie layer.
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened: Key for the cookie dough’s tender crumb.
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the cookie layer without overpowering it.
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar, packed: Adds moisture and a subtle caramel note to the cookie dough.
- 1 large egg: Ensures the cookie dough binds perfectly and stays chewy.
- 1¼ cups all-purpose flour: The main flour component to build the cookie dough’s structure.
- ½ teaspoon baking soda: Helps cookies rise ever so slightly for soft texture.
- ¼ teaspoon salt: Balances flavors and enhances sweetness.
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips: Create melty pockets of chocolate in every bite.
How to Make Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Take an 8×8-inch baking pan, grease it lightly, then line it with parchment paper. This extra step ensures your brownies will lift out effortlessly once baked, maintaining their perfect squares and making cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Whisk Together the Brownie Batter
In a medium bowl, whisk together the melted butter and granulated sugar until they blend into a smooth, glossy mixture. This step lets the sugar dissolve into the butter, creating that signature fudgy brownie texture we all crave.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Whisk in the eggs one at a time along with the vanilla extract. This mixture should become silky and slightly thickened, setting the stage for the chocolatey goodness to come.
Step 4: Incorporate Dry Ingredients for Brownies
Gently fold in the cocoa powder, all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder. Mixing just until combined keeps your brownies dense and moist rather than cakey, striking that perfect texture balance.
Step 5: Cream Butter and Sugars for the Cookie Dough
In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until the mixture is fluffy and pale. This aeration is crucial for the cookie dough’s tender structure and melt-in-your-mouth feel.
Step 6: Beat in Egg and Vanilla
Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated. This enriches the dough and helps it bind perfectly when baked.
Step 7: Add Dry Ingredients and Chocolate Chips to Cookie Dough
Gradually add the flour, baking soda, and salt, stirring just enough for a soft dough to form. Then, fold in those luscious chocolate chips—you want them perfectly dispersed so each bite delivers chocolatey surprises.
Step 8: Assemble the Layers
Spread the brownie batter evenly into your prepared pan, smoothing the top for an even layer. Then, drop spoonfuls of the cookie dough over the brownie batter, spreading them gently to cover as much surface as possible without mixing the layers. This layering technique creates the distinct two-texture dessert everyone loves.
Step 9: Bake to Perfection
Bake your creation in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached—this ensures fudginess without underbaking.
Step 10: Cool and Slice
Once out of the oven, let the brownies cool completely in the pan. Use the parchment paper edges to gently lift the entire block out, then slice into 16 generous squares. Cooling fully helps the layers set beautifully, making clean slicing easier.
How to Serve Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies Recipe
Garnishes
A dusting of powdered sugar adds a pretty snowy finish, or consider a drizzle of melted chocolate or caramel sauce to elevate your presentation. Add a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for a sophisticated salty-sweet contrast that highlights the deep chocolate flavors.
Side Dishes
These brownies pair wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream. For a fruity twist, serve alongside fresh berries such as raspberries or strawberries, which brighten and balance the rich chocolate flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
Cut into bite-sized cubes and serve on skewers for a fun party treat, or layer chunks between sheets of wax paper for individual grab-and-go treats. You can even create a stunning dessert platter by alternating squares with small bowls of dipping sauces like chocolate ganache or peanut butter.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies Recipe squares in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. This keeps them moist and tender while preserving the chewy texture of the cookie layer.
Freezing
Wrap individual squares tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a sealed freezer bag. They freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw at room temperature for a few hours—no frosting needed to enjoy them fresh-baked.
Reheating
Warm brownies gently in the microwave for about 10 to 15 seconds to revive that fresh-baked softness. Avoid overheating to keep the cookie chips melty without drying out the bars.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, you can use salted butter, but reduce or omit the extra salt called for in the recipe to avoid oversalting your brownies.
What type of chocolate chips work best?
Semi-sweet chocolate chips strike the perfect balance between sweetness and rich chocolate flavor, but feel free to use milk or dark chocolate if you prefer a different sweetness level.
Can I make these in a different pan size?
While 8×8 inches is ideal for thickness and baking time, you can use a 9×9 inch pan, just reduce baking time slightly to avoid overbaking.
Is it possible to substitute the flour for a gluten-free version?
Yes, swapping in a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend can work well here—just be sure it contains xanthan gum for structure.
Why is it important to let the brownies cool completely before cutting?
Cooling allows the layers to set and firm up, resulting in cleaner slices and preventing the cookie dough from sticking or falling apart.
Final Thoughts
You really cannot go wrong with this Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies Recipe—it’s a crowd-pleaser combining two classic desserts into one unforgettable treat. Give it a try the next time you want to wow friends or simply indulge yourself in a perfectly balanced bite of chocolaty, chewy, buttery magic. Once you taste these, they might just become your new favorite dessert to bake and share!
Print
Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies Recipe
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 16 squares 1x
Description
Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies combine the rich, fudgy texture of classic brownies with the sweet, chewy delight of chocolate chip cookies on top. This decadent dessert features a dense and chocolaty brownie base layered with soft cookie dough studded with semi-sweet chocolate chips. Perfect for sharing, these 16 square treats satisfy both cookie cravings and chocolate fix lovers alike.
Ingredients
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 salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
Cookie Layer
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking and allow for easy removal later.
- Make Brownie Batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the melted butter and 1 cup granulated sugar until thoroughly combined and smooth.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Crack in 2 large eggs and add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Whisk until the mixture is homogeneous and glossy.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Stir in the unsweetened cocoa powder, ½ cup all-purpose flour, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon baking powder. Mix gently until just combined; do not overmix. Set this batter aside.
- Make Cookie Dough: In another bowl, cream softened butter with ⅓ cup granulated sugar and ⅓ cup packed light brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in 1 large egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- Add Dry Ingredients and Chocolate Chips: Gradually add 1¼ cups all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon baking soda, and ¼ teaspoon salt to the creamed mixture. Mix until a dough forms. Fold in ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly.
- Assemble: Spread the brownie batter evenly in the prepared baking pan, creating a smooth layer.
- Add Cookie Dough: Drop spoonfuls of the cookie dough over the brownie batter evenly. Gently spread the dough to cover the surface but keep some texture variation for a rustic look.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center — it should come out with moist crumbs but not wet batter.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the brownie pan to cool completely. Once cooled, lift out the slab using the parchment paper. Slice into 16 squares and serve.
Notes
- Use parchment paper for easy removal and clean edges.
- Do not overmix the brownie batter to keep it tender.
- Cookie dough can be slightly chilled before dropping over brownies for better control.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- For extra gooey cookies, sprinkle additional chocolate chips on top before baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
