Name: Brookie Bars Recipe: Fudgy Brownie + Chewy Cookie Heaven
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: Brownie layer: ½ cup butter; 1 cup sugar; 2 eggs; ⅓ cup cocoa; ½ cup flour; Cookie layer: ½ cup butter; ½ cup brown sugar; ¼ cup sugar; 1 egg; 1¼ cups flour; 1 cup chocolate chips

Introduction

Table of Contents

Brookie Bars are the ultimate mash-up dessert: a thick layer of rich, fudgy brownie topped with buttery chocolate chip cookie dough, baked into one irresistible bar. Gooey, chewy, crunchy edges—this is the treat that ends all dessert debates. Presented on a white ceramic platter cut into generous squares, optionally garnished with sea salt flakes or extra chocolate chips, these Brookie Bars offer dual textures and pure indulgence that disappear faster than you can say “brownie or cookie?”

Ingredients

For the Brownie Layer: • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup chocolate chips (optional for extra fudginess)

For the Cookie Layer: • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup brown sugar, packed
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp kosher salt
• 1 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or mix)

Serving: • Vanilla ice cream or sea salt flakes

Step-by-Step Process

Preheat & prep
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×9 (for thick) or 9×13 (for thinner) baking pan with parchment, leaving overhang.
Make brownie batter
Melt butter in a microwave or saucepan. Stir in sugar until dissolved. Whisk in eggs and vanilla vigorously. Add cocoa, flour, and salt; fold until just combined (don’t overmix). Fold in chocolate chips if using.
Spread the brownie layer
Pour brownie batter into prepared pan. Spread evenly.
Make cookie dough
Beat softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until fluffy (2–3 minutes). Add egg and vanilla; beat well. Add flour, baking soda, and salt; mix until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips.
Dollop cookie dough
Drop cookie dough by spoonfuls over brownie batter. Gently swirl lightly with a knife for a marbled look (don’t fully mix).
Bake
Bake 30–40 minutes (9×9: 35–40 min; 9×13: 30–35 min) until a toothpick in the center has moist crumbs and edges are set. Don’t overbake—the center should be gooey.
Cool & cut
Cool completely in the pan (at least 2 hours). Lift out with parchment. Cut into squares.

Tips for Perfect Brookie Bars

• Underbake slightly—gooey center is the goal
• 9×9 pan = thicker, fudgier bars
• Chill after baking—easier clean cuts
• Use room-temp egg for cookie layer—better emulsion
• Mix chocolate types—semi-sweet + milk or dark
• Freeze unbaked—bake from frozen +5 minutes

Variations and Customization

• Peanut Butter Brookies: swirl PB into cookie dough
• Oreo Brookies: add crushed Oreos to the cookie layer
• Blondie Brookies: use blondie batter instead of cookie
• Mint Chocolate: mint extract + Andes chips
• Nutty: add chopped walnuts or pecans
• Gluten-Free: 1:1 GF flour in both layers

Storage and Serving Tips

• Stay fudgy 4–5 days at room temp (covered)
• Fridge up to 1 week—warm 10 seconds for gooeyness
• Freezes beautifully up to 3 months (cut first)
• Reheat 10–15 seconds microwave for a molten center
• Quick refresh: warm + scoop ice cream
• Serve with cold milk or coffee

Nutritional Information

Based on 16 bars:
• Calories: 380 kcal
• Total Fat: 20g (Saturated 12g)
• Carbohydrates: 48g (Sugars 34g)

FAQ

1. My bars are too gooey/dry?
Gooey → baked for less time. Dry → overbaked or too much flour.

2. Can I use a box brownie mix?
Yes—prepare per box for the bottom layer.

3. Make-ahead?
Yes—bake the day before; flavor improves.

4. Gluten-free version?
GF flour + GF cookie dough works great.

5. Best pan size?
9×9 = thick and fudgy; 9×13 = more servings.

Conclusion

These Brookie Bars are pure dessert genius—fudgy brownie meets chewy cookie in one pan of irresistible bliss. One bite and suddenly potlucks feel exciting, midnight snacks feel justified, and everyone’s asking “brownie or cookie?” while sneaking another square. Make them once, and they become your signature “I brought dessert” that earns empty pans and endless compliments every time.