Brookie Bars – Combination of a fudgy brownie layer and a homemade brown butter chocolate chip cookie layer, delivering the best of both worlds in an irresistible treat.
It’s the best of both worlds with the delectable delight known as “Brookies Bars.” A delightful combination of a boxed brownie mix, the epitome of convenience and heavenly chocolatey goodness, melded together with a homemade brown butter chocolate chip cookie, exuding that homemade charm and irresistible flavor. With brookies, you get the best of both worlds, a treat that’s half-ease and half-homemade, offering a mouthwatering fusion of flavors. Trust me, brookies are a divine creation that will keep you yearning for just one more bite.
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Why you should make these Brookies?
- Irresistible Flavor: With the perfect balance of rich, fudgy brownie goodness and buttery, chocolatey cookie, resulting in a flavor explosion that will leave your taste buds craving more.
- Convenient and Time-Saving: By using a boxed brownie mix for one layer, it will provide a convenient shortcut without compromising on taste, making them an ideal option for those who want a delicious homemade treat without the extra effort.
- Homemade Charm: The homemade brown butter chocolate chip cookie layer adds a touch of authenticity, making the brookies feel like a labor of love and impressing your friends and family with your baking skills.
- Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Whether you’re hosting a gathering, bringing treats to a potluck, or simply indulging at home, brookies are guaranteed to be a hit.
What ingredients you will need!
- Box of brownie mix: I used my favorite brand Ghirardelli! (plus ingredients needed for that)
- Unsalted butter: Browning the butter adds a rich and nutty flavor to the cookie layer.
- All-purpose flour: Provides structure and texture to the cookie dough.
- Brown sugar: Adds moisture, sweetness, and a hint of caramel flavor to the cookies.
- Vanilla extract: Infuses the dough with a warm and aromatic flavor.
- Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the texture of the cookies.
- Chocolate chips: Scattered throughout the cookie layer, they melt into delicious pockets of chocolatey goodness.
Step by step Brookie Bars
- Prepare the boxed brownie mix according to the package instructions.
- In a small saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat until it turns a light golden brown color.
- Whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled browned butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix well.
- Add the egg and egg yolk to the butter-sugar mixture, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Line a baking pan with parchment paper or grease it to prevent sticking. Pour the prepared brownie mix into the pan.
- Drop small spoonfuls of the cookie dough on top of the brownie layer. Spread and press the dough to cover the brownie layer.
- Bake in the preheated oven for the time specified on the brownie mix package, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs.
- Let the brookies cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Expert Baking Tips – Brookie Bars
Additionally, here are the five most important baking tips to keep in mind when making brookies:
- Read the recipe thoroughly: Before you begin, read through the entire brookies recipe to familiarize yourself with the steps and ingredients. This will help you stay organized and prepared during the baking process.
- Measure ingredients accurately: Accurate measurements ensure the proper balance of ingredients and consistency in the final product.
- Follow the instructions and recommended baking times: Stick to the recipe instructions, including recommended baking times and temperatures, for optimal results.
- Use room temperature ingredients: Using ingredients at room temperature helps with proper mixing and ensures the ingredients incorporate well together.
- Use the toothpick test: Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the brookies. If it comes out with moist crumbs or a few moist chocolate streaks, they are likely done. Avoid overbaking.
Frequently asked question
Q: Can I use a different type of brownie mix or cookie dough recipe?
A: Yes, you can experiment with different brands or flavors of boxed brownie mix, or even try making your own homemade brownie batter from scratch.
Q: Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?
A: While the recipe generally calls for unsalted butter, you can use salted butter if that’s what you have on hand. Just be mindful that the overall saltiness may be slightly different, so you might want to adjust the added salt accordingly.
Q: How do I know when the brookies are done baking?
A: The baking time can vary depending on the specific brownie mix and oven temperature. To check for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the brookies. If it comes out with moist crumbs or a few moist chocolate streaks, they are likely done. Remember that they will continue to set as they cool, so you don’t want to overbake them.
Essential equipment for your kitchen
Furthermost, here are five essential kitchen equipment items for baking:
- Stand Mixer: A stand mixer is a game-changer in the baking world, making mixing doughs, batters, and frostings a breeze.
- Mixing Bowls: A set of high-quality mixing bowls in various sizes is indispensable for baking. They are sturdy, easy to clean, and non-reactive.
- Baking Pans: Stock your kitchen with a range of baking pans and sheets, including cake pans, muffin pans, and cookie sheets.
- Cooling racks allow air to circulate around baked goods, preventing them from becoming soggy. Invest in sturdy wire cooling racks to cool cookies, cakes, and bread evenly.
- Silicone Spatulas: Silicone spatulas are versatile tools for scraping batter, folding ingredients, and ensuring you get every last bit of goodness from your mixing bowl.
These five items are essential for a well-equipped baking kitchen, allowing you to create a wide variety of baked treats with ease.
Storing and freezing – Brookie Bars
Additionally, here is how to store your Brookie bars! To properly store, allow them to cool completely, then transfer them to an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. Store at room temperature for a few days, in the refrigerator for up to a week, or in the freezer for a few months. Bring them to room temperature before serving.
Freezing
To properly freeze brookies, ensure they have cooled completely. Place them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, making sure to remove as much air as possible. Label the container with the date and freeze for up to a few months. Thaw the brookies in the refrigerator or at room temperature before serving.
How to serve: First, ensure that the brookies have completely cooled. Then, use a sharp knife or a bench scraper to make clean, even cuts, applying gentle pressure to avoid crumbling. For clean edges, wipe the knife or bench scraper with a damp cloth between cuts.
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Recipe
Brookie Bars
Ingredients
For the brookies
- 1 Ghirardelli dark chocolate boxed brownie or your favorite brand
- ¾ cup unsalted butter
- ¾ cups packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 1 egg yolk room temperature
- 1 Tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup mini semi sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
For the bars
- Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F. Line a 9×9 with parchment paper, spray with cooking spray. Set aside.
- Prepare the boxed brownie mix according to the package instructions. This usually involves combining the mix with eggs, oil, and water. Mix until well combined and set aside.
- In a small saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Continue cooking the butter until it turns a light golden brown color, stirring occasionally. This takes about 3-4 minutes. Be careful not to burn it. Remove from heat and let it slightly cool for 10-15 minutes.
- In a medium sized bowl, sift together the cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and flour.
- In a medium size mixing bowl, combined the brown butter and the brown sugar and using a whisk, whisk together until combined. About 30 seconds.
- Next, whisk in each egg and egg yolk, one at time. Mix vigorously after each addition. This helps create that nice shine on top of the cookie. Add in the vanilla.
- With a rubber spatula, fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, add the chocolate chips, and mix until no streaks of flour remain. Do not over mix.
- Using two spoons, alternate between the brownie batter and cookie dough by dropping small balls or dollops (the smaller the better this helps create that beautiful brookie look) into the prepped pan until you used both the cookie dough and the brownie batter. Try to evenly distribute the two throughout.
- Bake in the for 50-55 minutes depending on your oven, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs.
- Remove from the oven and let the brookies cool in the pan until you are ready to serve.
- Serve and enjoy the deliciousness of your homemade brookies!
Kathryn says
Love these! Cook them a little less to be extra gooey 😋
A perfect mix of chocolate and cookie and salty deliciousness!
Molly Murphy says
Thank you Kathryn! I am so glad to hear that you liked them!
Jeanne says
Oh my goodness these are sooooooo good. Such a perfect blend of cookie and brownie. Thank you, thank you. They will be a go to dessert.
Molly Murphy says
Yay! I am so glad to hear that! Thank you so much!!!
– Molly
Kels says
This is the best dessert that’s ever happened to me.
Andrea Chivers says
These Brookie Bars were a huge hit in my house! They were easy & quick to make. I will add this recipe to my favourites for sure!
Molly Murphy says
Thank you SO MUCH!!
Molly Murphy says
Can not disagree with this at all.
Megan Nguyen says
Hi, I don’t have a 9×9 pan, just an 8×8 and a 9×13, can I use either of these or would that mess up the proportions?
Molly Murphy says
Yes an 8×8 would work, I would just live the brookies in for an 5-7 minutes to make sure they are cooked a little more!
Jamie Murphy says
Easy and delicious! They were a huge hit!
Amanda says
These are perfection!!! The Ghirardelli recipe calls for their cookie mix and I’m just not about that (even though I do believe wholeheartedly in using their brownie mix, it’s unmatched). I love the dollop effect of this vs the two separate layers. The flavor is outstanding! We had a scoop of ice cream with ours, and it may be the most delicious treat I’ve ever had.
Molly Murphy says
Yes!!! This is great news!
Karly Pflager says
Can I prepare this and bake it the next day?
Molly Murphy says
After a few google searches, apparently you can! I have never tried it but you just have to bring it to room temperature before you bake it and make sure it air sealed with plastic wrap! I would let it sit at room temp for at least two hours!
Sarah says
Can’t wait to try these using my homemade brownie recipe! Could I skip browning the butter and just use regular melted butter instead?
Molly Murphy says
Yes! You can just add regular butter!