Brownie Cookies also known as Brookies
Imagine a world where your favorite fudge brownie meets the convenience of a cookie. Brownie cookies, often lovingly referred to as brookies, are the best of both worlds. These delightful treats embrace the richness of chocolatey brownies while embodying the classic cookie format, making them perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re indulging during a cozy night in or surprising friends at a gathering, brookies are sure to impress and satisfy.
Why Make This Recipe
- They combine two beloved desserts into one glorious treat.
- These brookies are perfectly chewy with a slightly crispy exterior and a fudgy center.
- You can easily customize them to cater to your taste or the preferences of your guests.
Easy Method for Brownie Cookies
Making brownie cookies at home is simpler than you might think. Follow this step-by-step guide that will lead you through the process, ensuring that every bite of your brookies captures the rich flavors and textures you love.
Prepare the Chocolate and Butter: Start by melting the dark chocolate and butter together in a small bowl. The method I prefer is to use a microwave, where I heat the mixture in short bursts. Make sure to stir in between to ensure even melting and avoid burning the chocolate. Once smoothly melted, set the bowl aside to cool slightly.
Mix the Egg and Sugars: In a separate large bowl, add the eggs, caster sugar, soft light brown sugar, vanilla extract, baking powder, and salt. Beat the mixture together until it transforms into a pale, thick, and creamy consistency, which usually takes about four minutes. This step is crucial as it adds air to the mix, giving the cookies their delightful texture.
Combine Chocolate Mixture: Gently drizzle in the cooled chocolate mixture into the whipped egg and sugar mixture. Using a mixer on low speed, beat this combination together until it is just mixed – be careful not to overmix. The goal is to maintain the lightness from the eggs while incorporating the delicious chocolate flavor.
Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Sift the plain flour and cocoa powder into the bowl. Gently fold everything together using a spatula or a wooden spoon. You want the dry ingredients to be almost combined; the key is to create a nice batter without overworking it. Once you see that it’s nearly mixed, add in the chocolate chips, stirring them through with care to ensure they’re evenly distributed.
Chill the Dough: After mixing, cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This cooling period is essential as it helps firm up the dough, making it easier to scoop onto your baking sheets.
Preheat and Prepare the Oven: When you’re about to bake the cookies, preheat your oven to 180C (350F) and prepare a couple of baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper. This step is essential for easy removal of the cookies post-baking.
Scoop the Dough: Once the dough has chilled and is firmer, scoop equal amounts of the brownie cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Aim to leave a couple of inches between each mound of dough, as they will spread during baking.
Bake the Cookies: Bake the brookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes. You’ll know they are done when the tops have cracked all the way to the middle. This cracking indicates a perfectly baked brownie cookie. Once you remove the baking sheets from the oven, let them cool completely. Although they’ll be very soft upon coming out, they will firm up as they cool, so try to resist the urge to sample them too soon.
Enjoy the rich aroma and delightful flavors as you savor every bite of your homemade brownie cookies!
Best Way to Store Brownie Cookies
To keep your delicious brookies fresh and enjoyable for longer, consider the following storage tips:
- Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. This will help maintain their softness and flavor.
- Refrigeration: If you wish to keep them a bit longer, you can refrigerate them for up to a week.
- Freezing: For longer storage, freeze the cookie dough or the baked cookies. Baked brookies can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Just remember to thaw them at room temperature before enjoying.
- Avoid heat exposure: Keep the cookies in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent them from drying out.
Serving Ideas for Brownie Cookies
Serving brownie cookies provides an opportunity for creativity and delight. Here are several ideas to take your brookies to the next level:
- Classic Pairing: Serve your brookies warm, accompanied by a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The contrast of the warm cookie and cold ice cream creates a heavenly dessert experience.
- Coffee Companion: Offer brookies alongside a rich cup of coffee or a mocha for a delightful afternoon treat. The chocolate flavors harmonize beautifully with the coffee’s richness.
- Dessert Platter: Create an enticing dessert platter by mixing in other baked goods such as macarons, cheesecakes, or fruit tarts alongside your brookies. It visually enhances the dining experience.
- Gifting Delight: Package brookies in a decorative box or a mason jar tied with a ribbon. They make for a thoughtful and delicious homemade gift for holidays or birthdays.
Tips to Make Brownie Cookies
- Make sure to cool the melted chocolate before adding it to the eggs — this prevents the eggs from curdling.
- Use high-quality chocolate as it greatly enhances the flavor of your cookies.
- Experiment with different types of chocolate chips (dark, milk, or white) to customize the taste.
- Ensure your baking sheets are properly aligned in the oven to promote even baking.
Variations or Substitutions
If you’re feeling adventurous or need to accommodate dietary preferences, consider these entertaining variations for your brookies:
- Nutty Addition: Add chopped walnuts or pecans for a crunchy texture contrast. This not only adds flavor but also brings a delightful nuttiness to every bite.
- Flavored Extracts: Instead of vanilla extract, try using almond or hazelnut extract. This subtle change can give your brookies a different yet refreshing taste.
FAQs
Q: Can I make these ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! You can prepare the dough ahead of time, chill it, and either bake it the following day or freeze it for later baking.
Q: How do I know when the cookies are done?
A: Look for the tops to crack and set and ensure they look slightly underbaked. They will firm up as they cool.
Q: Can I substitute the type of chocolate?
- Yes, you can easily switch between dark, milk, and white chocolate based on your preference or what you have on hand.
Nutritional Information
While indulging in brownie cookies, it’s always nice to be mindful of what you are enjoying. Here’s a rough estimate of the nutritional values per cookie assuming you make around 12 cookies with this recipe:
- Calories: 180
- Total Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Sugar: 15g
- Protein: 3g
These values can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes, so adjust according to your needs.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overmixing the Batter: After adding flour and cocoa, mixing too vigorously can result in dense cookies. Aim for just combined.
- Skipping the Chilling Step: This is crucial for texture. Don’t skip it, as it will help prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
- Uneven Sizing: Ensure that the dough mounds are of equal size to promote uniform baking. Disparities can lead to some cookies baking faster than others.
Final Thoughts
Brownie cookies, or brookies, are a sweet escape into the delicious realm of dessert-making. They embody the best qualities of both brownies and cookies, guaranteeing a delightful experience in every bite. Whether made for special occasions or simply to enjoy at home, these cookies truly stand out as a favorite treat.
With simple ingredients, straightforward steps, and plenty of opportunities for customization, you can enjoy this delightful dessert any time of year. So go ahead and indulge in a batch of brownie cookies today, and let the rich, gooey, chocolatey goodness take you on a delicious journey of flavor. Happy baking!
Print
Brownie Cookies (Brookies)
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delightful brownie cookies, also known as brookies, combine the rich flavors of fudge brownies with the convenience of cookies, creating a chewy and fudgy treat perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 200g dark chocolate
- 100g unsalted butter
- 2 eggs
- 150g caster sugar
- 100g soft light brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 150g plain flour
- 30g cocoa powder
- 150g chocolate chips
Instructions
- Start by melting the dark chocolate and butter together in a microwave-safe bowl, heating in short bursts and stirring until smoothly melted. Set aside to cool slightly.
- In a separate large bowl, whisk together the eggs, caster sugar, soft light brown sugar, vanilla extract, baking powder, and salt until pale and creamy.
- Gently mix in the cooled chocolate mixture into the egg mixture using a mixer on low speed.
- Sift in the plain flour and cocoa powder, then fold gently until just combined. Add in the chocolate chips and stir to distribute.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Scoop equal amounts of dough onto the baking sheets, leaving space between each.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until the tops are cracked. Let cool completely before enjoying.
Notes
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week. Freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months.