Brookies (Brownie + Cookie Bars): Recipe and Tips
A brookie is exactly what it sounds like: a layer of fudgy brownie topped with a layer of chocolate chip cookie dough, baked together into one bar. It's a genuine bake-sale and potluck favorite, mostly because it sidesteps having to choose between two classic desserts.
Brookie Recipe
Prep time: 25 minutes. Bake time: 35–40 minutes. Pan size: one 9x13-inch pan. Oven temperature: 350°F / 175°C. Yield: about 16 bars.
- Brownie layer — 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup (40g) cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup (65g) all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Cookie layer — 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup (100g) packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups (190g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup (170g) chocolate chips
Method
Both layers come together separately, then the cookie dough gets dropped over the brownie batter in pieces rather than spread in one even sheet.
- 1. Heat the oven to 350°F/175°C and line a 9x13-inch pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on two sides.
- 2. For the brownie layer: whisk the melted butter and sugar together, then whisk in the eggs and vanilla. Fold in the cocoa powder, flour, and salt just until combined. Spread into the prepared pan.
- 3. For the cookie layer: beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla, mixing until combined. Mix in the flour, baking soda, and salt just until combined, then fold in the chocolate chips.
- 4. Drop spoonfuls of cookie dough over the brownie batter, spacing them out across the pan — don't spread it into one smooth layer, since gaps let some brownie show through and bake unevenly for a better textural contrast.
- 5. Bake for 35–40 minutes, until the cookie portions are golden and a toothpick inserted into the brownie layer comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- 6. Cool completely in the pan before lifting out and slicing — brookies are softer than a standard brownie and need the full cooling time to hold together when cut.
Frequently Asked Questions
A brookie is really just two simple recipes — a brownie batter and a cookie dough — combined in one pan rather than one complicated new recipe. The only real technique difference is the longer bake time two stacked layers need.
Cookies, Brownies & Dessert Bars includes brookies alongside classic brownie, bar, and cookie recipes.
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