This scrumptious cookie dough brownie bar is chock-full of fudgy, gooey goodness. Featuring a layer of decadent fudge brownie and then a signature layer of chocolate chip cookie dough, this recipe has a few parts to it, but it’s quite simple and quick to put together. Serve these cookie dough brownies with your favorite ice cream or a dollop of homemade whipped cream on top.
Ingredients for Cookie Dough Brownies
- Semisweet chocolate chips: Small morsels or larger chunks would both taste excellent in the cookie dough portion of these brownies.
- Butter: Salted or unsalted is fine. Take the butter out of the fridge about an hour before you start making these cookies so it can fully soften.
- Sugar: You can sub coconut or even nib sugar if you’d like little pockets of sweetness sprinkled throughout your brownies.
- Eggs: It’s best to use room temperature eggs when baking to improve the texture of your baked good.
- Vanilla extract: Opt for pure vanilla extract as opposed to imitation, as the difference in taste is significant.
- All-purpose flour: You can sub a 1-to-1 gluten-free mix here if needed.
- Baking soda: This helps to give your brownie a lighter texture.
- Chopped walnuts:Â Feel free to leave these out if you’re not a nut person.
- Brown sugar: You’ll use brown sugar for the cookie dough layer, which helps to give a richer flavor.
- Whole milk: Don’t skimp on the whole milk, as the fat helps to give the cookie dough a creamy, decadent dough-like texture.
Directions
Step 1: Make the brownie layer
Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a microwave or on the stovetop, melt 1 cup of the semisweet chocolate chips, stirring frequently until smooth. Let them cool slightly. In a large bowl or stand mixer, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla, then stir in the melted chocolate. Combine the flour and baking soda, then gradually add this dry mixture to the batter. Stir in the walnuts, if desired.
Step 2: Bake the brownie
Spread the brownie mix into a greased 13×9-inch baking pan. Bake for 16 to 22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the brownies cool completely on a wire rack before completing the next step.
Step 3: Make the cookie dough topper
In a small bowl or stand mixer, cream together the additional butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in the milk and vanilla. Gradually add the flour until it’s thoroughly combined, then gently stir in the chocolate chips. Drop the cookie dough by tablespoonfuls over the cooled brownies, then carefully spread it over the top. Cut the brownies into squares before serving.
Cookie Dough Brownie Variations
- Sub in pecans: Pecans are a slightly sweeter, smoother nut that will taste delicious in these brownies.
- Try a hint of coffee: Consider using coffee extract for a richer, unexpected cookie dough flavor.
- Add peanut butter chips: Swap out the chocolate chips for peanut butter chips in the dough topper, and you’ll have a chocolate peanut butter cookie dough brownie.
How to Store Cookie Dough Brownies
Once cooled, you can wrap your brownies in plastic wrap or store them in an airtight container. You can pop them in the fridge or keep them on the counter, as brownies are fine to store at room temperature.
How long do cookie dough brownies last?
If they’re stored on the counter, consume them within three days. If they’re stored in the fridge, consume them within five.
Cookie Dough Brownie Tips
Can you make these gluten-free?
Yes. You can make this cookie dough brownie recipe gluten-free by subbing the all-purpose flour 1-to-1 with any gluten-free flour of your choice.
Can I freeze these cookie dough brownies?
Yes, you can freeze cookie dough brownies to enjoy later. You’ll need to store them tightly wrapped and in a freezer-safe, airtight container, but they’ll be fine frozen for up to three months.
How do I reheat cookie dough brownies?
There’s nothing quite like a hunk of warm cookie and brownie dough smothered with vanilla ice cream (or even better, try homemade custard ice cream!). If you want to rewarm your brownies, you can do so in a microwave for a minute or so, or until the desired warmth has been reached.
