Brownie Cookies Recipe

If you love the fudgy richness of brownies and the craveable ease of homemade cookies, you’re about to meet your new obsession: Brownie Cookies! Imagine deeply chocolaty, crinkled cookies with chewy centers and crisp edges—they’re simply impossible to resist.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Brownie Cookies call for just a handful of staple ingredients, but each one is chosen with purpose—making sure you get that perfect crackly top, gooey center, and intense chocolate punch. Here’s what makes them so magical:

• Semi-sweet chocolate bars: The foundation of rich, bold chocolate flavor—use quality baking bars for best results!
• All-purpose flour: Structures the cookies while keeping them tender and chewy.
• Cocoa powder (natural or Dutch-process): Intensifies the chocolatey notes and provides that iconic brownie color.
• Espresso powder: One teaspoon is all it takes to deepen and round out the chocolate flavor—no coffee taste, just pure intensity!
• Baking powder: Lifts the cookies just enough for a soft, satisfying bite.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances every other flavor.
• Unsalted butter: For a luscious, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Light brown sugar: Adds moisture and a hint of caramel-like depth that sets these cookies apart.
• Granulated sugar: Lends that classic sweetness and helps achieve crinkly tops.
• Eggs: The key to that brownie chew—make sure they’re at room temperature for easy mixing.
• Vanilla extract: A splash brings warmth and rounds out all the chocolaty notes.
• Semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional): For chocolate puddles in every bite, stir in an extra handful.

Variations

The beauty of Brownie Cookies is how easy they are to customize—swap in your favorite add-ins or adjust the flavors to match your cravings, dietary needs, or what’s hanging out in your pantry. The possibilities are truly endless!

• Chocolate Chunk Overload: Use chopped bittersweet or milk chocolate instead of chips for dramatic chocolate puddles.
• Nutty Twist: Stir in toasted walnuts or pecans for crunch and a flavor reminiscent of classic brownies.
• Gluten-Free Brownie Cookies: Substitute a good 1:1 gluten-free flour blend to create celiac-friendly (yet still totally luscious) treats.
• Mocha Lovers: Double the espresso powder and sprinkle cookies with a touch of flaky salt for a sophisticated kick.
• Festive Add-Ins: Swap chocolate chips for peppermint chunks, caramel bits, or colorful candies during the holidays.

How to Make Brownie Cookies

Step 1: Melt the Chocolate

Start by melting your chopped semi-sweet chocolate bars. You can use a double boiler for gentle melting, or pop them in the microwave in 20-second bursts, stirring between each, until just smooth. Let the melted chocolate cool slightly—this prevents the butter or eggs from scrambling in the next step and ensures smooth, glossy dough.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together your flour, cocoa powder, espresso powder, baking powder, and salt. This simple step distributes the leavening and cocoa evenly, giving your Brownie Cookies consistent rise and chocolate flavor in every bite.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars

With your mixer on medium-high speed, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until they’re fluffy and pale. This adds air to the dough, helping the cookies develop their fabulous texture. Don’t skimp on the mixing time—about 2 minutes does the trick!

Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Crack in the eggs and add a splash of vanilla, then beat on high for 2 more minutes. Scrape down the sides and beat again—this long mixing is key to getting those signature brownie-style crinkly tops!

Step 5: Incorporate the Melted Chocolate

Pour in your slightly cooled melted chocolate. Mix on medium-high for another 2 minutes, watching as the batter becomes thick and fudgy. This is where the magic happens—the whole kitchen will smell incredible.

Step 6: Add the Dry Ingredients and Optional Chips

Reduce your mixer speed and slowly beat in the whisked dry ingredients. When nearly combined, stir in the chocolate chips if you’re using them. The dough will be rich and thick at this point—exactly what you want.

Step 7: Quick Chill

Cover the bowl and pop it in the fridge for 20 minutes. This short chill time helps solidify the chocolate and butter, leading to a perfect cookie spread—not too flat, not too puffy. If you have to chill longer, let the dough sit at room temp for 15 minutes before baking.

Step 8: Scoop, Bake, and Cool

Heat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and line baking sheets with parchment. Scoop 1.5-Tablespoon balls of dough, spacing them about 3 inches apart. Bake for 12–13 minutes, just until the edges are set but centers are still slightly soft—they’ll continue to firm up as they cool. Let the cookies rest on the sheet for 5 minutes, then move to a wire rack to finish cooling. Enjoy the irresistible smell as you wait!

How to Serve Brownie Cookies

Garnishes

Dress up your Brownie Cookies with a dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of melted chocolate, or a few flaky salt crystals on top for a burst of flavor and irresistible presentation. If you’re feeling extra decadent, sandwich them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an unforgettable treat!

Side Dishes

Enjoy Brownie Cookies with a tall glass of cold milk for a classic pairing, or serve alongside fresh berries and whipped cream for a little contrast. They’re delicious with bold espresso or a creamy latte—absolutely perfect for coffee breaks or dessert spreads.

Creative Ways to Present

Stack cooled cookies in clear treat bags and tie with ribbon for fun homemade gifts, or arrange them on a rustic platter for a cozy dessert board. Build a Brownie Cookie sundae bar and let everyone add their favorite toppings for a crowd-pleasing finish to any gathering.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep Brownie Cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature—they’ll stay soft, chewy, and delicious for up to one week. If they start to firm up, toss a slice of bread in the container overnight to help maintain their perfect texture.

Freezing

Baked Brownie Cookies freeze beautifully for up to three months. You can also freeze unbaked dough balls and bake straight from the freezer! Just add a minute or two to the bake time and give them a gentle press halfway through for that classic spread.

Reheating

Craving that fresh-from-the-oven taste? Warm your cookies for 5–10 seconds in the microwave, or a few minutes in a low oven. They’ll be perfectly melty and gooey—just like the day they were baked!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

There’s just something magical about the way Brownie Cookies bring pure chocolate comfort into your kitchen. Whether you’re baking them for loved ones or sneaking a late-night treat, this recipe guarantees a batch of fudgy, irresistible cookies every single time. Go ahead—pour a glass of milk and treat yourself to a little homemade happiness!

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