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- 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 The brownie layer is rich and chocolatey. The melted butter and sugar create a smooth base. Adding eggs makes it fluffy. Cocoa powder gives it a deep chocolate flavor. Flour binds it all together. Salt enhances the taste, while baking powder helps it rise. - 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 if needed for consistency) The cookie dough layer is sweet and creamy. Softened butter blends well with both sugars. The mini chocolate chips add delightful bursts of flavor. Vanilla extract brings warmth, while flour gives it structure. Milk helps achieve the right dough consistency. - Sea salt for a sweet-salty taste - Melted chocolate drizzle for extra indulgence Toppings can elevate your bars. A sprinkle of sea salt adds contrast. A drizzle of melted chocolate provides extra richness. You can be creative and add your favorite toppings! {{ingredient_image_1}} First, we start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step helps the brownies bake evenly. While the oven heats, grease an 8x8-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper. This makes it easy to remove the bars later. In a mixing bowl, combine 1/2 cup of melted unsalted butter with 1 cup of granulated sugar. Stir until well mixed. Next, add 2 large eggs one at a time. Mix well after each egg. Then, stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. In another bowl, sift together 1/3 cup of cocoa powder, 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of baking powder. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Avoid overmixing. Pour the brownie batter into the pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 20-25 minutes. A toothpick should come out mostly clean when inserted in the center. While the brownies cool, we make the cookie dough. In a large bowl, cream together 1/2 cup of softened unsalted butter, 1/4 cup of brown sugar, and 1/4 cup of granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Gradually add 1 cup of all-purpose flour, mixing until just combined. The dough will be thick. Stir in 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips. Add 2 tablespoons of milk to achieve the right consistency. The dough should be soft but not sticky. Once the brownie layer is cool, spread the cookie dough over the brownies. Use your hands or a spatula to flatten it down gently. Make sure to cover the brownies evenly for a nice look. Refrigerate the assembled bars for at least 30 minutes. This helps the layers set nicely. After chilling, cut the bars into squares or rectangles. Enjoy the mix of flavors and textures! To get the best brownie texture, use room-temperature ingredients. Mix your melted butter and sugar until smooth. Add eggs one by one, mixing well. Don't overmix the batter after adding dry ingredients. This keeps your brownies chewy and soft. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes. Use a toothpick to check; a few crumbs should stick. Let the brownies cool for 15-20 minutes in the pan before adding the cookie dough. For soft cookie dough, start with softened butter. Cream it with both sugars until fluffy. Add vanilla and mix well. Gradually add flour until just combined. The dough should feel thick but not sticky. If it feels too dry, add a splash of milk to adjust. Mix in mini chocolate chips for fun bites. This will help the cookie dough spread easily over the brownies. For a great look, serve your bars in clean parchment-lined trays. Sprinkle a touch of sea salt on top for a sweet-salty treat. Drizzle some melted chocolate for extra flair. Cut them into squares or rectangles for easy sharing. These tips will make your cookie dough brownie bars stand out at any gathering! Pro Tips Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature for better mixing and a smoother batter. Don’t Overmix the Brownie Batter: Mixing too much can lead to tough brownies; mix just until the ingredients are combined. Chill for Better Texture: Chilling the cookie dough layer helps it firm up, making it easier to spread over the brownies. Experiment with Mix-ins: Feel free to add nuts or different types of chocolate chips to the cookie dough for added texture and flavor. {{image_2}} You can switch up the brownie layer for fun! Try adding different types of chocolate. You can use dark chocolate or even white chocolate. Nuts like walnuts or pecans add a nice crunch too. Swirl in some peanut butter for a rich flavor. You can also add a pinch of espresso powder to deepen the chocolate taste. Each change gives a new twist to this treat! For the cookie dough layer, get creative! You can use brown butter for a nutty taste. Try different types of chips like white chocolate or butterscotch. Add in some crushed Oreos for a cookies and cream vibe. If you love spices, a dash of cinnamon can warm up the flavor. These little changes can make each batch feel unique! You can easily make these bars fit your diet needs. For gluten-free bars, swap regular flour for almond or coconut flour. If you want vegan options, use flax eggs instead of real eggs. Replace butter with coconut oil or vegan butter. Use dairy-free chocolate chips for the cookie dough. These swaps help everyone enjoy this tasty treat! To keep your Cookie Dough Brownie Bars fresh, store them in an airtight container. This method helps maintain moisture and flavor. If you plan to eat them within a few days, just place them on the counter. For longer storage, refrigeration is best. Wrap each bar in plastic wrap before placing it in the container. This extra layer protects against drying out. Freezing these bars is easy! First, cut them into squares. Next, wrap each square in plastic wrap. Then, place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Make sure to remove as much air as possible. These bars can last up to three months in the freezer. When you're ready to enjoy, just thaw them in the fridge overnight or at room temperature for a few hours. If you prefer warm Cookie Dough Brownie Bars, reheating is simple. Place a bar on a microwave-safe plate. Heat it in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. Check to see if it's warm enough. If not, heat in 5-second bursts until ready. You can also warm them in an oven. Preheat to 350°F (175°C) and heat for about 5 minutes. Enjoy them warm and gooey! Yes, you can use dark chocolate! Melt about 4 ounces of dark chocolate. Replace the cocoa powder with it. This change will make your brownies richer and more chocolatey. Just remember to reduce the butter by 2 tablespoons since chocolate adds fat. These bars are best enjoyed fresh, but they can last up to one week. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature. If you want to keep them longer, refrigerate them. Just remember to let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving. You can replace each egg with 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce. Another option is to use 1/4 cup of mashed banana. Both options keep the brownies moist and add some sweetness. You can also use flaxseed meal mixed with water. Mix one tablespoon of flaxseed meal with three tablespoons of water for each egg. Absolutely! Chopped nuts, like walnuts or pecans, can add crunch. You can also mix in extra chocolate chips or even some caramel swirls. Just make sure to keep the total volume of mix-ins balanced with the rest of the batter. Refrigerating is not necessary, but it helps the bars set. If you like a firmer texture, chill them for at least 30 minutes. This makes cutting easier too. If you prefer them soft and gooey, you can enjoy them right after making! In this blog post, we explored how to make delicious cookie dough brownie bars, from ingredients to storage. You learned about key ingredients for each layer and some fun topping ideas. The step-by-step guide makes it easy to create this treat. With tips for the perfect texture and serving ideas, you can impress anyone. Don't forget the variations to suit your taste or dietary needs. Enjoy your tasty bars, and share them with friends!

Cookie Dough Brownie Bars

Delicious brownie bars topped with a layer of cookie dough and mini chocolate chips.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 16
Calories 200 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 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 if needed for consistency)

Instructions
 

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

Notes

Serve in clean parchment-lined trays, and garnish with a sprinkle of sea salt for a sweet-salty kick or drizzle with melted chocolate. Enjoy!
Keyword brownies, cookie dough, dessert bars