Cookie Dough Brownie Bars

$- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted - 1 cup granulated sugar - 2 large eggs - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour - 1/4 teaspoon salt - 1/4 teaspoon baking powder - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened - 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed - 1/4 cup granulated sugar - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 1 cup all-purpose flour - 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips - 2 tablespoons milk (add more for consistency) If you don't have unsalted butter, you can use salted butter. Just skip the added salt in the brownie layer. For eggs, flaxseed meal can work as a great substitute. Mix one tablespoon of flaxseed meal with three tablespoons of water. Let it sit until it thickens. If you want a gluten-free option, use a gluten-free all-purpose flour mix. {{ingredient_image_2}} Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step is key for even baking. Grease an 8x8 inch pan or line it with parchment paper. This makes it easy to remove the bars later. In a mixing bowl, combine melted butter and granulated sugar. Mix until they blend well. Next, add two eggs, one at a time, mixing after each one. Stir in the vanilla extract. In another bowl, sift together cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir until just combined. Avoid over-mixing. Pour the brownie batter into the prepared pan. Spread it evenly. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Check with a toothpick; it should come out mostly clean. A few crumbs are okay. Let the brownies cool in the pan for about 15-20 minutes. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Mix until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add in the vanilla extract. Gradually mix in the flour until combined. The dough will be thick. Stir in the mini chocolate chips and milk until the dough is soft but not sticky. Once the brownies are cool, spread the cookie dough over them. Use your hands or a spatula to press it down evenly. Make sure to cover the brownies completely. Place the pan in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This helps the bars set. After chilling, cut them into squares or rectangles. Enjoy your delicious cookie dough brownie bars! To get the best brownie texture, focus on mixing. First, combine the melted butter and sugar well. This step helps create a smooth base. Next, add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. This adds air and makes brownies light. When you mix in the dry ingredients, do it slowly. Stop mixing as soon as you see no dry flour. Overmixing makes brownies tough. Bake them until a toothpick shows a few crumbs. This keeps them moist and gooey. When making cookie dough, start with soft butter. Cream the butter and sugars until fluffy. This adds air, making the dough soft. Then, add the vanilla extract and mix well. Gradually add the flour for the right texture. If the dough feels too dry, add a bit of milk. The dough should be thick but not sticky. Stir in mini chocolate chips gently so they spread evenly in the dough. For a fun touch, serve your cookie dough brownie bars on a clean tray. You can sprinkle a little sea salt on top for a sweet and salty combo. Drizzling melted chocolate on the bars adds a nice look and taste. For extra flavor, pair them with ice cream or whipped cream. These bars are great for parties or just a sweet treat at home. Enjoy sharing them with friends and family! Pro Tips Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature for better incorporation and a smoother batter. Check for Doneness: Insert a toothpick into the center of the brownies; it should come out with a few moist crumbs, not wet batter. Chill the Bars: Allow the assembled bars to chill for at least 30 minutes before cutting to ensure clean edges and a firmer texture. Experiment with Mix-ins: Feel free to add nuts, different types of chocolate chips, or even a sprinkle of sea salt on top for added flavor! {{image_4}} You can make your Cookie Dough Brownie Bars gluten-free. Use gluten-free flour instead of regular flour. This swap works well in both the brownie and cookie layers. Make sure you check that all your other ingredients are gluten-free too. Brands vary, so read labels carefully! Add nuts to your bars for extra crunch. Chopped walnuts or pecans are great choices. You can mix them into the brownie layer or the cookie dough. Another fun idea is to add a sprinkle of sea salt on top. This adds a nice sweet and salty taste that many people love. Switch up your chocolate chips for new flavors. Try dark chocolate chips for a richer taste. White chocolate chips or butterscotch chips can also add a unique twist. You could even use a mix of different chips. This way, you create your own special flavor in every bite! To keep your cookie dough brownie bars fresh, store them in an airtight container. Place parchment paper between layers to avoid sticking. You can keep them at room temperature for up to three days. If you live in a warm area, consider refrigerating them. This will help maintain the soft texture. You can freeze these bars for longer storage. First, cut them into squares. Wrap each square tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. They can last for up to three months in the freezer. When you're ready to enjoy, just unwrap them and let them thaw at room temperature. To reheat, place the bars in a microwave-safe dish. Heat them for about 10-15 seconds, checking frequently. You want them warm but not too hot. This will help restore their soft, gooey texture. Enjoy them fresh out of the microwave for a real treat! Yes, you can make these bars ahead of time. They taste great even after a few days. Just store them in an airtight container. Keep them in the fridge if you want them to last longer. You can also freeze them for up to three months. When ready to eat, let them thaw in the fridge overnight. If your brownie batter is too thick, you can add a little milk. Start with one tablespoon and mix it in. If it is still thick, add more, a little at a time. Be careful not to add too much. You want the batter to pour easily but not be runny. Absolutely! You can add nuts or dried fruit to the cookie dough. Try using walnuts or pecans for a nice crunch. You can also change the chocolate chips. Use white chocolate or peanut butter chips for a fun twist. Just remember to keep the total amount of mix-ins about the same. You learned about making delicious cookie dough brownie bars. We covered all ingredients and steps. You also discovered tips for perfect texture and variations for flavor. Remember, you can customize these bars to your taste. Whether you add nuts or change the chocolate chips, the options are endless. Store your bars well for lasting freshness. Enjoy making and sharing these treats with others!$

Cookie Dough Brownie Bars

Delicious brownie bars topped with a creamy cookie dough layer.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 25

Total Time 1

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 16

Calories 250 kcal

Ingredients

0.5 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
0.33 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
0.5 cup all-purpose flour
0.25 teaspoon salt
0.25 teaspoon baking powder
0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened
0.25 cup brown sugar, packed
0.25 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
0.5 cup mini chocolate chips
2 tablespoons milk

Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8x8-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Prepare the brownie layer: In a mixing bowl, combine the melted butter and granulated sugar. Stir well until the mixture is well combined.
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then mix in the vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, sift together the cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Bake the brownies: Pour the brownie batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean (a few crumbs are okay).
Cool the brownies: Remove the brownies from the oven and let them cool in the pan for about 15-20 minutes.
Prepare the cookie dough layer: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
Mix in the vanilla extract. Gradually add the flour until just combined. The dough will be thick. Stir in the mini chocolate chips and milk until the desired consistency is reached (the dough should be soft but not sticky).
Spread the cookie dough layer: Once the brownie layer has cooled, evenly spread the cookie dough over the brownies. Use your hands or a spatula to gently flatten it.
Chill and cut: Place the assembled bars in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to set. After chilling, cut into squares or rectangles.

Notes

Serve the bars on clean trays lined with parchment paper and garnish with a sprinkle of sea salt for a sweet-salty kick or drizzle melted chocolate on top. Enjoy!

Keyword brownies, cookie dough, dessert bars