Chocolate Brookie bars are the ultimate dessert fusion, combining the best of both worlds—chewy chocolate chip cookies and rich, fudgy brownies. If you’ve ever stood in the kitchen debating whether to bake cookies or brownies, this recipe is your answer. Chocolate Brookies deliver the soft center of a brownie with the crispy edge of a cookie, layered together into one decadent square of deliciousness.
Perfect for bake sales, birthdays, or just a weekend treat, these bars bring a gourmet twist to two classic favorites. Once you try them, you’ll understand why they never last more than a day in my kitchen.
Table of Contents
❤️Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These Chocolate Brookie bars are more than just a mashup—they’re a flavor-packed, crowd-pleasing dessert dream. Here’s why you’ll love baking (and eating) them:
- Two desserts in one: You get a gooey brownie base topped with chewy chocolate chip cookie dough—no need to choose between your cravings.
- Simple pantry staples: No fancy ingredients required. You likely have everything on hand already.
- Make-ahead friendly: They store well for days and even freeze beautifully—ideal for prepping ahead of events or sweet tooth emergencies.
- Kid and adult approved: These bars are a hit with everyone, making them perfect for parties, potlucks, or a quiet night in.
🧾Ingredients
Here’s everything you need to make rich and chewy Chocolate Brookie bars from scratch. The recipe is divided into two parts: brownie base and cookie topping.
Brownie Layer:
- ½ cup melted unsalted butter (113g)
- ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (or chopped chocolate)
- ½ cup white sugar (100g)
- ½ cup light brown sugar, packed (100g)
- ⅓ cup cocoa powder (35g)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup all-purpose flour (65g)
Cookie Dough Layer:
- ½ cup softened unsalted butter (113g)
- ½ cup white sugar (100g)
- ¼ cup light brown sugar, packed (50g)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- 1⅓ cups all-purpose flour (160g)
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (reserve a few for topping)
👩🍳Instructions
Follow these easy steps to create your delicious Chocolate Brookie bars:
1. Prep Your Pan & Oven
- Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper or foil.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Make the Brownie Batter
- Melt butter in a saucepan or microwave-safe bowl.
- Stir in cocoa powder until smooth.
- Whisk in both sugars and salt, then add eggs and vanilla. Mix until glossy.
- Add flour and stir until just combined.
- Fold in chocolate chips.
- Spread brownie batter evenly in your prepared baking dish.
3. Make the Cookie Dough
- Cream softened butter with both sugars until light and fluffy (3–4 minutes).
- Beat in vanilla and egg, scraping down the bowl.
- Mix in salt, baking powder, and baking soda.
- Gradually add flour, then fold in chocolate chips (save a few for topping).
4. Layer the Brookies
- Drop spoonfuls of cookie dough over the brownie batter. It’s okay if the brownie isn’t fully covered—marbled tops look great!
5. Bake
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake for another 20–25 minutes, until golden on top and set in the middle.
6. Cool Completely
- Let the brookie bars cool in the pan for 2–3 hours before slicing.
- For clean cuts, use a hot knife (run under hot water, then dry between slices).
⏱️Recipe Details & Nutrition Facts
📋 Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 70 minutes
- Servings: About 20 bars (from a 9×13-inch pan)
- Difficulty Level: Medium
🍽️ Estimated Nutrition (Per Serving)
Note: Values are approximate and may vary based on ingredients used.
- Calories: ~130
- Protein: ~1.5 g
- Fat: ~8 g
- Carbohydrates: ~15 g
- Sugar: ~10 g
📝Tips & Variations
✔️ Expert Tips for Perfect Chocolate Brookie Bars
- Don’t overmix: Mix each batter just until combined to avoid dense bars.
- Cool before slicing: Let the bars cool for at least 2–3 hours. Warm bars will fall apart.
- Use quality chocolate: Semi-sweet chips or chopped dark chocolate give the best flavor and melt.
- Foil first, then uncover: Covering with foil prevents the cookie top from over-browning before the brownie layer sets.
🔄 Easy Variations
- Add nuts: Fold in chopped walnuts or pecans for a crunchy twist.
- Go gluten-free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend with xanthan gum.
- Switch the chips: Try white chocolate, milk chocolate, or peanut butter chips.
- Salted caramel swirl: Drizzle caramel sauce between the layers before baking.
Want something to pair with these? Try serving them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of chocolate syrup—next-level indulgence!
Chocolate Brookie Bars
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- **Prep the Pan & Oven:**
- – Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper or foil.
- – Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- **Make the Brownie Batter:**
- – Melt butter and stir in cocoa powder until smooth.
- – Whisk in sugars, salt, eggs, and vanilla until glossy.
- – Mix in flour until just combined.
- – Fold in chocolate chips. Spread evenly in the baking dish.
- **Make the Cookie Dough:**
- – Cream butter and sugars until fluffy.
- – Mix in vanilla and egg. Scrape the bowl.
- – Add salt, baking powder, and baking soda.
- – Gradually add flour and fold in chocolate chips.
- **Layer the Brookies:**
- – Drop spoonfuls of cookie dough over brownie layer. No need to cover completely.
- **Bake:**
- – Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- – Remove foil and bake 20–25 more minutes until golden and set.
- **Cool & Cut:**
- – Let cool in the pan 2–3 hours.
- – Use a sharp knife (run under hot water for clean cuts) to slice into squares.
Notes
– Store in airtight container at room temp for 5 days or freeze up to 3 months.
– Add nuts or caramel for a fun twist.
❓FAQs
Can I make Chocolate Brookie bars ahead of time?
Absolutely! These bars stay fresh for up to 5 days at room temperature in an airtight container. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months.
Do I need to chill the cookie dough before layering it?
No chilling required. Just prepare the dough and layer it directly over the brownie batter—easy and fast.
How do I know when the brookies are done baking?
The top should be golden and slightly crackled, while the center should not jiggle. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out with a few moist crumbs (not wet batter).
Can I use boxed brownie mix?
Yes, if you’re in a pinch. Prepare the boxed mix as directed and follow the same layering and baking process. However, homemade gives the best flavor and texture.
How should I store leftovers?
Keep them in an airtight container with parchment between layers. Add a slice of bread to keep them soft. For long-term storage, wrap and freeze individually.
🎉Conclusion
There’s something magical about Chocolate Brookie bars—the perfect marriage of soft, chewy cookie dough and rich, fudgy brownie. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just satisfying a serious chocolate craving, these bars deliver every single time. They’re easy to customize, fun to make, and even more fun to eat.
Try pairing them with a warm mug of coffee or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate treat. Once you make a batch, don’t be surprised if they disappear faster than you expect!