Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownies

July 21, 2011

Brownies are sort of like cheesecake, aren’t they? There’s nothing better than the perfect dense, fudgy brownie, just like not much can beat a classic piece of creamy cheesecake. Yet with both of these desserts we’re always fiddling around with different versions, swirling things in and layering things on the top and the bottom (incidentally, peanut butter goes well with both!). It’s an endless merry go round of dessert experimentation, where there really can never be a bad result. Feel free to check out all of my brownie recipes and cheesecake recipes to see how many times I have spun around this little kitchen carousel. But like a little kid at the amusement park, you never want the ride to stop, so we keep going… which is where these amazing brownies come in.

When I first saw these over on RecipeGirl I stopped in my tracks. Aside from looking amazing, they were pure genius. I’ve done the whole chocolate chip cookie/brownie combo, but chocolate chip cookie dough?! SO much better! The topping for these brownies is very similar to the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dip that a friend passed along to me years and years ago, which is always a huge hit. Both the dip and the topping for these brownies are egg-free, so no raw egg consumption. (Your mom just breathed a sigh of relief.)

You know how milk and cookies go well together? And how it’s great to wash down a rich brownie with a glass of milk? Yeah, you’re going to need at least one glass of milk after one of these babies – they are sweet and rich, and everything that is right with the world.

Back to the merry-go-round to do more kitchen experiments!

One year ago: Homemade Pop-Tarts
Two years ago: Chunky Pecan Pie Bars
Three years ago: Pasta Fagioli

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Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownies

Yield: 32 brownies

Prep Time: 40 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients:

For the Brownie:
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, finely chopped
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 cups light brown sugar
4 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour

For the Cookie Dough:
¾ cup unsalted butter
¾ cup light brown sugar
¾ cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons whole milk
1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
1½ cups all-purpose flour
1½ cups mini chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Prepare the Brownies: Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line a 9x13-inch pan with foil, with enough to hang over all four sides. Butter the foil. In a medium glass bowl, melt the chocolate in the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring after each, until melted and smooth. Set aside to cool slightly. In a large mixing bowl, mix the butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract, scraping the bowl as needed. Mix in the melted chocolate until combined. Reduce the speed to low, add the flour and mix just until combined (don't over-mix). Spread the batter into the prepared pan. Bake 25 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool completely.

2. Prepare the Cookie Dough: In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer on medium speed to combine the butter and both sugars. Add the milk and vanilla and mix until combined. Reduce the speed to low and mix in the flour just until combined. Using a rubber spatula, stir in the chocolate chips.

3. Spread the cookie dough over the cooled brownies. Refrigerate until the dough is firm, about an hour. Use a sharp knife or a pizza cutter (my favorite way to slice brownies!) to cut the brownies. Store the brownies in an airtight container at cool room temperature or in the refrigerator.

(Recipe adapted from RecipeGirl.com)