Introduction:
Brookies are the ultimate hybrid dessert, a delicious fusion of brownies and cookies that combine the best of both worlds. These decadent treats have the rich, fudgy texture of a brownie paired with the chewiness and crisp edges of a cookie. The combination of chocolate chips, swirls of cookie dough, and brownie batter creates a mouthwatering dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re a fan of cookies, brownies, or both, brookies offer the best of both textures and flavors in one indulgent bite. They’re easy to make and guaranteed to be a hit at parties, family gatherings, or just when you’re craving something sweet and satisfying.
The History of Brookies:
The exact origin of brookies is somewhat unclear, but it’s believed they were created in the late 20th century as an innovative way to blend two of the most popular dessert styles—brownies and cookies. This hybrid dessert likely emerged as bakers began to experiment with combining cookie dough with brownie batter, creating a new genre of dessert that offers the richness of brownies with the familiar texture and taste of cookies. Over time, brookies gained popularity, especially in home kitchens and bakeries, and have become a beloved treat for anyone who can’t decide between cookies and brownies. The versatility of brookies allows for endless variations, with some recipes calling for additional ingredients like chocolate chunks, nuts, or even a layer of frosting.
Ingredients Breakdown:
The beauty of brookies lies in the simplicity of their ingredients, which are a mix of what you would typically find in both brownies and cookies. For the brownie layer, you’ll need butter, sugar, eggs, cocoa powder, flour, and a pinch of salt to create the rich, fudgy base. The cookie dough layer is made with butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla, flour, and baking soda to provide a chewy and slightly crisp texture. Chocolate chips are the common add-in for both the cookie and brownie layers, adding a dose of melty chocolate goodness. The combination of these ingredients creates a deliciously rich and gooey treat with a perfect balance of chocolate and sweetness.
Step-by-Step Recipe:
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a 9×9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper or greasing it with butter. For the brownie layer, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Once melted, remove it from the heat and whisk in the sugar, eggs, cocoa powder, and salt until smooth. Stir in the flour until fully incorporated, and then pour the batter into the prepared baking pan. Next, make the cookie dough layer by creaming together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and vanilla, and beat until combined. Stir in the flour and baking soda, then fold in the chocolate chips. Drop spoonfuls of the cookie dough on top of the brownie batter, spreading it out evenly with the back of the spoon. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean (a few crumbs are fine). Allow the brookies to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips for the Perfect Brookies:
To make sure your brookies have the perfect texture, it’s important not to overbake them. The key to a great brookie is a gooey, fudgy brownie base paired with a slightly chewy cookie top. Check the brookies a few minutes before the timer goes off to ensure the top is golden brown and the center is still soft. If you prefer a more decadent treat, you can add a layer of chocolate ganache on top after they’ve cooled. Be sure to use room temperature butter and eggs for both the cookie dough and brownie layers to ensure the batter mixes evenly. For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of espresso powder to the brownie batter to enhance the chocolate flavor. You can also chill the dough before baking to make the cookie layer more structured and prevent spreading.
Variations and Customizations:
Brookies are incredibly customizable, allowing for endless variations. For a more indulgent version, add nuts like walnuts, pecans, or almonds to the brownie or cookie layer for crunch and flavor. You can also use different types of chocolate chips, such as dark chocolate, white chocolate, or even peanut butter chips, to suit your preferences. For a fun twist, try adding a layer of caramel or peanut butter between the brownie and cookie layers. You could also experiment with different flavored extracts, such as almond or hazelnut, to give your brookies a unique flavor. If you’re looking for a more festive version, try adding sprinkles, mini candy pieces, or seasonal M&Ms to the cookie dough layer. For those who enjoy a more traditional treat, you could also make separate batches of brownies and cookies and serve them together as a layered dessert.
Health Considerations and Nutritional Value:
While brookies are a delicious treat, they should be enjoyed in moderation due to their high sugar and fat content. The brownies provide some fiber and antioxidants from the cocoa powder, while the cookie dough offers a small amount of protein from the eggs. However, because of the butter and sugar content, brookies are quite calorie-dense. For a slightly healthier option, consider using a sugar substitute like Stevia or coconut sugar, and try swapping out some of the butter for applesauce or a healthier fat like avocado. To increase the nutritional value, you can use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour or add in some ground flaxseeds or chia seeds for fiber. Keep in mind that while these swaps can make brookies a bit healthier, they may also alter the texture slightly, so it’s important to experiment and find the balance that works best for you.
FAQ:
- Can I make brookies in a different size pan? Yes, you can use a different size pan, but be sure to adjust the baking time accordingly. A larger pan will bake the brookies faster, while a smaller pan may require extra time to bake.
- Can I freeze brookies? Yes, brookies can be frozen! Once they’re cooled completely, wrap them in plastic wrap and place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to three months. To enjoy, simply thaw at room temperature or warm them in the microwave.
- How can I make brookies more decadent? To make brookies even more indulgent, try drizzling a chocolate or caramel sauce over the top after they’ve cooled. You can also add layers of peanut butter, marshmallow fluff, or cream cheese frosting for extra richness.
- Can I make brookies without eggs? Yes, you can substitute the eggs with flax eggs, chia eggs, or a commercial egg replacer. The texture may vary slightly, but the brookies will still be delicious.
Brookies Cookies
Ingredients
For Brownie Cookie Dough
- 1/2 cup 113 g unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 3/4 cup 150 g packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup 50 g granulated sugar
- 1 large egg at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder
- 1 cup 125 g all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
For Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
- 2 3/4 cups 345 g all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup 226 g unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 3/4 cup 150 g packed light brown sugar
- 2/3 cup 130 g granulated sugar
- 1 large egg plus 1 egg yolk, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Flaky sea salt for sprinkling optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Set them aside.
- To prepare the brownie cookie dough, beat the butter and brown sugar together in the bowl of a stand mixer for about 3 minutes, until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla, mixing until well combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Sift the dry ingredients into the egg and butter mixture, then mix on low speed until combined and the flour is fully incorporated. Stir in the chocolate chips with a large spatula. Set the dough aside while you prepare the chocolate chip cookie dough.
- For the chocolate chip cookie dough, combine the cold butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Start mixing on low speed and gradually increase the speed to cream the butter and sugars together for 4 minutes, until pale and fluffy. The mixture should have no visible chunks of butter. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Add the egg and egg yolk one at a time, stopping to scrape down the bowl between additions. Mix in the vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cornstarch, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter and egg mixture in two additions, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. Stir in the chocolate chips using a large spatula, again being careful not to overmix.
- Using a small cookie scoop, scoop the dough into balls, making the chocolate chip cookie dough balls slightly larger than the brownie cookie dough balls. Roll them into uniform balls using your hands. For even-sized cookies, you can use a kitchen scale to weigh the dough balls. It may be easiest to roll all the brownie cookie dough balls first, followed by the chocolate chip cookie dough balls.
- Take one brownie cookie dough ball and one chocolate chip cookie dough ball, press them together, and roll them into a single ball using your hands. Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake one sheet at a time in the center of the oven for 8 to 9 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops are fluffy and slightly underbaked. Avoid overbaking. Once done, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the cookie sheet for 5 to 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat with the remaining doughs, allowing the cookie sheet to cool between batches.
- If desired, sprinkle the cooled cookies with flaky sea salt before serving.
- Note: Depending on the ratio of chocolate chip dough to brownie dough used, you may have some chocolate chip cookie dough left over. You can bake any leftover dough at the end.
