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If you’ve ever found yourself torn between making brownies or chocolate chip brookie recipe , then brookies are your dessert soulmate. Brookies—a glorious fusion of chewy cookies and gooey brownies—combine the best of both worlds in one easy-to-make, utterly satisfying treat.

This comprehensive homemade brookie recipe will walk you through step-by-step how to create these double-layered dessert bars with the perfect balance of textures and flavors. Whether you’re baking for a party, a potluck, or just your own late-night cravings, these brookies will be a showstopper every time.

Brookies aren’t just delicious—they’re also fun to make and nearly foolproof with the right tips. Whether you use a boxed brownie mix or go completely from scratch, knowing how your bakeware affects the outcome is crucial. For example, baking in a glass dish instead of metal can alter your cook time. Learn more from King Arthur Baking’s breakdown of glass vs metal pans to choose the best setup for your brookies.

On the brownie side of things, getting that perfect fudgy texture is both an art and a science. If you’re considering skipping the box and going homemade, take a peek at Serious Eats’ deep dive on brownie science to understand how ingredients like eggs, sugar, and fat influence the outcome.

🧂 Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll need for your homemade brookies—broken into two simple layers:

Brownie Layer (Quick & Fudgy)

1 box of Ghirardelli brownie mix (preferred for flavor & reliability)
Eggs, oil, and water (as called for on the box)

12 tablespoons butter (1 ½ sticks), melted and slightly cooled
1 cup packed brown sugar
½ cup granulated sugar
1 large egg + 1 extra yolk
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
1½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

🥣 Tools You’ll Need

Mixing bowls (2)
Whisk or electric mixer
9×13 baking pan
Parchment paper
Toothpick or skewer (for testing doneness)

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prep Your Pan

Line a 9×13 baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
Preheat your oven to 325°F (lower heat = even baking).

2. Make the Brownie Base

Prepare brownie batter according to the box instructions.
Pour into your parchment-lined pan. Do not bake yet!

In a separate bowl (or the same one, wiped clean), combine melted butter, both sugars, egg, yolk, and vanilla.
Stir in the flour, baking soda, and salt until just combined.
Fold in the chocolate chips.

4. Assemble the Brookies

Using your hands, flatten chunks of cookie dough and place them gently on top of the brownie layer.
Cover most of the brownie surface but don’t worry about perfect coverage.

5. Bake to Perfection

Bake for 35–45 minutes.
Check the center with a skewer or toothpick: it should come out with moist crumbs but no raw batter.
Let cool completely for clean slicing (or scoop warm over ice cream!)

🔁 Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

Brownie gooey, cookie overcooked? Cover with foil midway through baking.
Using a glass pan? Reduce oven temp by 25°F and increase bake time slightly.
Want thicker brookies? Use a smaller pan (like 9×9) but increase baking time.
Trouble cutting cleanly? Chill brookies for 1 hour before slicing.

🍪 Flavor Variations to Try

Peanut butter chips instead of chocolate chips
Swirl in Nutella or caramel between the layers
Add chopped walnuts or pecans
Use white chocolate and macadamia for the cookie top

🧊 Storage & Freezing Instructions

Brookies store beautifully and taste just as amazing days later.

Store at room temperature for up to 4 days in an airtight container
Refrigerate for longer freshness (up to 10 days)
Freeze in layers with wax paper between them

Need help freezing for long-term storage? The Kitchn has an excellent guide on freezing cookies and bars.

🍨 Serving Suggestions

Serve warm brookies with vanilla ice cream
Cut into small cubes and layer into dessert trifles
Bake in cupcake tins for individual servings

🧠 Homemade vs. Box Mix: What’s Better?

Boxed brownies (like Ghirardelli) are rich, consistent, and faster
Homemade cookie dough ensures the perfect chewy texture and flavor
Use the brownie mix for convenience, and invest your energy in the cookie layer!

🍽️ Nutritional Breakdown (Per Bar)

Calories: ~200
Carbs: 28g
Fat: 9g
Sugar: 20g
Protein: 1g

Note: Values will vary based on your ingredients and cut size.

❓FAQs About Brookies

Can I use store-bought cookie dough?
Yes, but you’ll sacrifice texture and flavor. Homemade dough holds up better in baking.

Can I make brookies gluten-free?
Yes! Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour and check your brownie mix label.

Do brookies freeze well?
Absolutely. Wrap tightly and freeze up to 3 months.

Can I flip the layers?
Yes, but the results may be more distinct and less swirled. You’ll also need to watch bake time closely.

How do I know they’re done?
Toothpick in the center—if it comes out with moist crumbs and melted chocolate, they’re ready.

Can I use homemade brownie batter?
Yes, just ensure it’s designed for a 9×13 pan or reduce the quantity to avoid underbaking.

🧁 Reader Tips & Tricks

“Make sure your cookie dough is thick—not runny—so it sits well on the brownie layer.”
“Freeze extras—they reheat beautifully!”
“Try adding crushed Oreos between layers. Game changer!”

🏁 Final Thoughts

Homemade brookies are everything you love about two iconic desserts in one easy bar. Whether you’re a beginner baker or a seasoned pro, this brookie recipe delivers on flavor, texture, and visual appeal. Plus, with so many variations and customizations, you’ll never run out of ways to enjoy them.

So what are you waiting for? Preheat that oven, grab your favorite mix, whip up some dough, and create a batch of brookies that might just become your new signature dessert.