If you’ve ever stood in the kitchen debating between baking brownies or cookies, Fudgy Chewy Brookies are your delicious solution! These glorious bars feature a rich, gooey brownie base nestled beneath a golden, soft-baked chocolate chip cookie layer—an ultimate treat for those who can’t resist both worlds. Fudgy Chewy Brookies are a crowd-pleasing delight you’ll want to bake again and again, perfect for family gatherings, casual afternoons, and late-night cravings alike.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What makes Fudgy Chewy Brookies irresistible isn’t a secret ingredient but a handful of kitchen staples, each playing a unique role. A balance of sugars, the lushness of butter, and the magic of vanilla transform everyday pantry items into bakery-quality bars with signature flavor, texture, and bite.
- Unsalted butter (for brownie & cookie layers): The base of both layers, butter gives richness and ensures that signature dense, fudgy texture as well as cookie softness.
- Granulated sugar: Adds classic sweetness and helps develop those chewy edges in both layers.
- Brown sugar (light or dark for both layers): Brings moisture, a hint of caramel flavor, and deeper chewiness to every bite.
- Large eggs: Essential for binding, eggs give structure and help achieve that lovely crackly top and soft cookie crumb.
- Vanilla extract: Just a teaspoon in each layer elevates the chocolate flavor and adds warm undertones.
- All-purpose flour (separate amounts for each layer): Provides stability without being too heavy.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: The key to a deeply chocolatey, classic brownie base—choose good quality for best flavor.
- Baking powder (for brownie layer only): Gives a subtle lift so the brownie isn’t overly dense.
- Baking soda (for cookie layer only): Ensures the cookie dough browns beautifully and stays soft.
- Salt (separate amounts for each layer): A pinch makes all the difference, heightening every flavor note.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips (both layers): Melty pockets of chocolate in every layer create pure joy—add extra if you like your brookies super indulgent!
How to Make Fudgy Chewy Brookies
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Set the Stage
First things first: set yourself up for brookie bliss! Preheat your oven to 350°F, and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper. This small but mighty step makes it so much easier to lift and slice the bars without sticking, and means utterly hassle-free cleanup when you’re done.
Step 2: Whip Up the Brownie Batter
Grab a mixing bowl and whisk together the melted, slightly cooled butter with the granulated and brown sugars until the mixture looks glossy and unified. Add in the egg and vanilla extract, then whisk again until everything is beautifully smooth. Sift in your all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt—this helps prevent lumps—then stir until just combined. Fold in those irresistible chocolate chips. Once ready, spread the brownie batter evenly into the bottom of your lined pan, smoothing out the top with a spatula.
Step 3: Make the Chewy Cookie Dough
In a fresh bowl, combine the softened butter with both sugars. Cream them together with a mixer (or a solid arm workout!) until light, pale, and fluffy—this step puffs up the dough for that classic cookie texture. Beat in the egg and vanilla until well-mixed. Add flour, baking soda, and salt, mixing only until there are no more streaks of dry flour. Stir in the chocolate chips. The dough should look thick, soft, and tempting enough to eat as-is.
Step 4: Assemble for Maximum Yum
Time to layer on the magic! Drop spoonfuls of cookie dough all across the brownie batter—don’t worry about making it perfect. Use a spatula or cleaned hands to gently spread and patch the dough, coaxing it into an even layer that almost, but not quite, seals in the brownie. This unevenness gives each finished brookie that glorious marbled top.
Step 5: Bake and Cool
Slide the pan into your preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. You’ll know your Fudgy Chewy Brookies are ready when the cookie layer is deeply golden and a toothpick poked into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs clinging on. Don’t wait until it’s squeaky-clean—underdone is better than overdone here for ultimate fudginess! Let the pan cool completely before lifting and slicing for the cleanest, yummiest bars.
How to Serve Fudgy Chewy Brookies
Garnishes
Top these brookies with a flourish! A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream melting into the warm bars is guaranteed to bring happy sighs. Drizzle with chocolate sauce, or dust with powdered sugar for an elegant finish. You can even add a sprinkling of flaky sea salt to each bar just before serving to make the chocolate flavor sing.
Side Dishes
While Fudgy Chewy Brookies hardly need a sidekick, a light, fresh fruit salad or a tart berry compote makes for a bright contrast. For a cozy dessert spread, serve alongside tall glasses of ice-cold milk or piping-hot coffee to complete the indulgent experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack brookie bars on a pretty cake stand for a bake sale-worthy centerpiece, or cut them into bite-sized squares for a shareable dessert platter. For parties, layer cubed Fudgy Chewy Brookies in jars with whipped cream and berries for a playful brookie parfait!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap any extra brookies tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They’ll keep their iconic fudgy chew and remain irresistibly fresh. If your kitchen is particularly warm, you can refrigerate the brookies to maintain their perfect texture.
Freezing
Fudgy Chewy Brookies are freezer-friendly! Let them cool completely, then wrap each bar or the whole batch in foil and place in a zip-top bag. They’ll stay delicious for up to 2 months—just thaw at room temperature whenever you crave a chocolatey treat.
Reheating
To enjoy that just-baked warmth, pop a brookie square in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. This brings back that melty chocolate chip magic and makes your kitchen smell incredible all over again.
FAQs
Can I double the Fudgy Chewy Brookies recipe for a crowd?
Absolutely! Simply double all the ingredients and use a 9×13-inch pan. Baking time will be similar but check for doneness with a toothpick, as it may need a few extra minutes.
What’s the secret to making brookies chewy instead of cakey?
The secret is not overbaking! Remove your Fudgy Chewy Brookies from the oven when there are still a few moist crumbs on the tester, and let them finish setting as they cool in the pan. The higher brown sugar ratio also keeps them irresistibly chewy.
Can I add nuts or different mix-ins?
Yes! Chopped walnuts or pecans, dried fruit, white chocolate chips, or even peanut butter chips are fantastic additions. Fold them into either or both layers to suit your personal taste.
I don’t have an 8×8-inch pan—what can I use instead?
You can use a 9-inch square pan; just note your brookies will be a bit thinner and may bake a few minutes faster. For thicker bars, a loaf pan or even a round cake pan works in a pinch, though slicing will be less traditional.
Do Fudgy Chewy Brookies need to be refrigerated?
Not unless your kitchen is particularly warm. They keep beautifully at room temperature, but if you’ve added perishable toppings like cream cheese or fresh fruit, those versions should be refrigerated.
Final Thoughts
I hope you give Fudgy Chewy Brookies a try soon! Whether you’re baking for your family, friends, or just for yourself (because you absolutely deserve it), these bars are an unbeatable way to enjoy the best of both brownie and cookie worlds. Happy baking and even happier snacking!
Print
Fudgy Chewy Brookies Recipe
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the best of both worlds with these Fudgy Chewy Brookies, a delightful combination of rich brownies and chewy cookies all in one decadent treat.
Ingredients
Brownie Layer:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (light or dark)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Cookie Layer:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Prepare the brownie layer: Whisk together melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Add egg and vanilla, then mix in flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, salt, and chocolate chips. Spread evenly in the pan.
- Make the cookie layer: Cream softened butter with sugars, then beat in egg and vanilla. Mix in flour, baking soda, salt, and chocolate chips. Drop spoonfuls of cookie dough on top of the brownie layer and spread gently.
- Bake: Bake for 30–35 minutes until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool and serve: Let the brookies cool completely before slicing into bars.
Notes
- For extra fudgy brookies, slightly underbake and let them set in the pan.
- You can add chopped walnuts or use dark chocolate chips for a richer flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 275
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
