These Brown Butter Brookies are a combination of brown butter chocolate chip cookies and fudge brownies in one decadent bar!
Happy March!
I cannot believe it is nearly springtime! Even though Sacramento is currently experiencing what could best be described for us as torrential rain storms and a freeze warning?!, I know the heat is coming!
Meanwhile, I am trying to brainstorm some fun spring recipes for you, along with some classic recipes to have in your arsenal. Who doesn’t want a brookie recipe?! Let’s talk about this one!
Brown Butter Brookies
Brookies are bars that consist of a chocolate chip cookie layer and a fudge brownie layer baked together into one decadent bar. They are a little bit more labor intensive than a regular recipe since you have to make both a brownie batter and a cookie dough, but boy, are they worth it. This particular recipe is for browned butter chocolate chip cookie dough which is out of this world amazing.
For the cookie portion, you’ll need the usual ingredients: butter, brown and white sugars, egg, vanilla extract, leavening, salt, flour, and chocolate chips. Super simple! Instead of using regular softened butter, we’re going to brown the butter to make it nutty, caramelized and fragrant – this deepens and elevates the flavor of the cookie dough. It is an extra step that is so delicious!
For the brownie portion, you’ll need: butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Another simple brownie recipe scaled down since we are stacking essentially two recipes together into one bar.
How to Brown Butter
If you’ve never browned butter before, it’s a simple process but requires you to keep a watchful eye on the pan, as it transforms from golden brown to burned and useless quickly! You’ll place the butter into a small saucepan and cook over medium-low heat until it melts, then allow it to keep cooking past the melting point. It’ll look like not much is happening, but then you’ll notice it start to bubble up and foam and you’ll see little browned bits forming on the bottom of the pan. Swirl the pan around a little bit and pull it when the butter is amber in color and fragrant. Do not step away as it can blacken quickly!
These bars are so delicious with the rich and complex addition of brown butter. I recommend using a higher quality chocolate chip, such as Guittard or Ghirardelli, to really bring out that delicious chocolate flavor.
Brown Butter Blondies are sure to become a new hit with your family and friends!
Brown Butter Brookies
These Brown Butter Brookies combine brown butter chocolate chip cookie bars and fudge brownies into one decadent, dreamy bar!
Servings: 15 bars
Ingredients
For the COOKIE DOUGH:
- 12 Tbsp (1½ sticks) unsalted butter, divided, at room temperature
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar
- 3/4 cup granulated white sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 Tbsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (I like Guittard)
FOR THE BROWNIES:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup granulated white sugar
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder (Dutch process or unsweetened)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350° degrees Fahrenheit. Line a 13×9″ light metal baking pan with foil or parchment, extending the sides of the foil or paper over the edges of the pan. Spray the foil or parchment with cooking spray; set aside.
First, make your cookie dough. Place 4 Tbsp of the softened butter into a large bowl and set aside. Place the remaining 8 Tbsp softened butter into a small saucepan over medium-low heat and cook until melted. Continue cooking until mixture foams and bubbles and the butter begins to brown, about 5-7 minutes. Watch it carefully so it doesn’t burn! Pour the browned butter, including all of the bits in the bottom of the pan, over the softened butter in the bowl you set aside earlier. Stir together until it is all melted together.
To the butter bowl, add the sugars and mix well, followed by the vanilla extract, egg, and egg yolk, mixing well after each addition. Add in the flour, baking powder and baking soda, and salt and mix until just barely combined. Stir in the chocolate chips. Press the cookie dough mixture evenly into the prepared pan. Set aside.
For the brownies: In a medium bowl, combine the melted butter, granulated sugar and vanilla and stir until combined and shiny, about 1 minute. Add in the eggs, stirring well, followed by the cocoa powder, flour, baking powder and salt until just combined. Pour the brownie batter evenly over the cookie dough layer and try to cover the cookie dough layer as much as possible with the brownie batter.
Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean or with moist, but not wet, crumbs. Cool completely before cutting into squares.
Notes
I recommend using a higher quality chocolate chip and cocoa powder for this recipe since it is such a simple recipe. For this, I love Guittard or Ghirardelli chocolate chips and/or cocoa powders. They both make excellent chocolate products.
When I tell you I could NOT stop eating these! They are divine!
Want some more brownie goodness? Check out this recipe…
Copycat Cosmic Brownie Cookies
Have a super sweet day!
xo, Hayley
