Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Brown Butter Brookies are the ultimate dessert mashup—rich, fudgy brownies layered with chewy, golden chocolate chip cookies. What makes this recipe irresistible is the nutty depth of brown butter, which elevates both layers beyond your standard brookie. Each bite has the best of both worlds: the dense chocolate intensity of a brownie and the sweet, buttery chew of a cookie. I tried these once with dark chocolate chunks instead of chips, and the result was decadent without being overly sweet. They are perfect for bake sales, family gatherings, or whenever you cannot decide between a brownie and a cookie. With a hint of indulgence and a dash of fun, these brookies will quickly become your go-to treat for satisfying any sweet craving.
Brown Butter Brookies – Fudgy Brownie Meets Chewy Cookie in One Epic Dessert Bar
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 16 squares
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Brown Butter Brookies combine the best of both worlds—a fudgy brownie layer topped with a chewy chocolate chip cookie layer, made extra rich with nutty brown butter.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, browned
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted (for brownie layer)
- 1 cup granulated sugar (for brownie layer)
- 2 large eggs (for brownie layer)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (for brownie layer)
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (for brownie layer)
- 1/4 tsp salt (for brownie layer)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- Make the brownie layer: In a bowl, whisk together melted butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. Stir in cocoa powder, flour, and salt until just combined. Spread batter evenly in the prepared pan.
- Make the cookie layer: In a saucepan, brown the butter over medium heat until golden and nutty. Let cool slightly. In a bowl, mix browned butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla until combined. Stir in flour, baking soda, salt, and chocolate chips.
- Drop spoonfuls of cookie dough over the brownie batter and gently spread to cover.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted comes out with just a few moist crumbs.
- Cool completely before slicing into squares.
Notes
- Do not overbake—brookies should stay fudgy in the center.
- For extra indulgence, sprinkle sea salt on top before baking.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
- These freeze well—wrap individually for a quick treat anytime.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
Unsalted butter – Browned to perfection for a nutty, caramel-like depth of flavor.
Brown sugar – Adds moisture and a slight molasses richness to the cookie layer.
Granulated sugar – Balances sweetness and texture in both layers.
Eggs – Provide structure and richness to both cookie dough and brownie batter.
Vanilla extract – Enhances the warm, sweet flavors throughout the dessert.
All-purpose flour – Forms the base for both cookie dough and brownie batter.
Cocoa powder – Gives the brownie layer its deep, chocolatey flavor.
Baking soda – Helps the cookie layer rise and stay soft.
Salt – Balances sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
Chocolate chips – Add gooey pockets of chocolate to the cookie layer.
Dark chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate – Melted into the brownie batter for a fudgy consistency.
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking pan with parchment paper. Start by browning the butter: melt it in a saucepan over medium heat until it turns golden and smells nutty. Let it cool slightly before using.
For the cookie dough, whisk the browned butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla, then stir in flour, baking soda, and salt. Fold in the chocolate chips and set aside.
For the brownie batter, whisk together melted dark chocolate, browned butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until glossy. Add cocoa powder, flour, and a pinch of salt, mixing until just combined.
Spread the brownie batter evenly into the prepared pan. Drop spoonfuls of cookie dough on top, spreading gently to cover most of the brownie layer. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out with moist crumbs. Cool completely before slicing into bars.
Essential Equipment
Must-Have Tools to Get Rolling
Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand:
Silicone Spatula – Durable, heat-resistant silicone spatula perfect for mixing, scraping, and spreading. Gentle on non-stick cookware and easy to clean.
Large pot – You’ll need this to boil the whole cabbage head and soften the leaves.
large bowl –Spacious, durable large bowl ideal for mixing, serving, or food preparation. Made from sturdy material and easy to clean.
Sharp knife – For coring the cabbage and slicing out the thick stem in each leaf. A paring knife works best.
Mixing bowl – A big bowl makes it easier to combine your meat and rice filling evenly.
Cutting board – For prepping cabbage leaves and rolling them like a pro.
9×13-inch baking dish – Ideal size to fit your rolled cabbage leaves snugly and prevent them from unraveling.
knife – A sharp, durable kitchen knife perfect for slicing, chopping, and dicing with ease.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes about 16 brookie bars. Preparation takes 20 minutes, with 35 minutes of baking, so the total time is roughly 55 minutes.
Storage/reheating
Store brookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for up to 2 months. To enjoy warm, reheat individual slices in the microwave for 10–15 seconds.
Variations and Customizations
Nutty Brookies
Add chopped walnuts, pecans, or hazelnuts for crunch and depth.
Peanut Butter Swirl Brookies
Swirl in a few spoonfuls of peanut butter into the brownie batter before baking.
Salted Caramel Brookies
Drizzle caramel over the top and sprinkle with flaky sea salt after baking.
Espresso Brookies
Add a teaspoon of espresso powder to intensify the chocolate flavor.
White Chocolate Chip Brookies
Use white chocolate chips in the cookie dough for contrast.
Oreo Brookies
Fold crushed Oreos into the brownie layer for extra texture.
Gluten-Free Brookies
Substitute a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend to make them gluten-friendly.
Extra Fudgy Brookies
Reduce the baking time slightly for an ultra-gooey texture.
Holiday Brookies
Add seasonal mix-ins like peppermint chips or festive sprinkles.
Vegan Brookies
Use flax eggs, plant-based butter, and dairy-free chocolate.
FAQs
What makes brown butter different from regular butter?
Brown butter has a nutty, caramel-like flavor that enhances baked goods.
Can I make brookies ahead of time?
Yes, they store well for several days and taste even better the next day.
How do I know when brookies are done?
A toothpick should come out with moist crumbs, not wet batter.
Can I use boxed brownie mix?
Yes, use a mix for the brownie layer and make homemade cookie dough for ease.
Can I freeze brookies?
Yes, freeze them in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
Do I need to chill the cookie dough first?
Not necessary, but chilling can make the cookie layer thicker.
Can I make brookies in a muffin tin?
Yes, for individual portions, bake them in a greased muffin tin.
Can I use milk chocolate instead of dark?
Yes, though it will be sweeter—semi-sweet or dark is best for balance.
How do I keep brookies chewy?
Do not overbake; slightly underbaking keeps them soft and fudgy.
Can I double this recipe?
Yes, bake in a larger pan and adjust the baking time slightly.
Conclusion
Brown Butter Brookies are the ultimate dessert for anyone who loves both brownies and cookies. With their nutty, caramelized butter flavor, fudgy chocolate base, and chewy cookie topping, they deliver indulgence in every bite. Easy to make, customizable with endless mix-ins, and perfect for sharing, these brookies will become your new favorite treat. Once you try them, you will never want to choose between a brownie or a cookie again—you can simply have both in one delicious bite.
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