The Ultimate Recipe for Fudgy Chewy Browkies (Brookies)

Have you ever been stood in the kitchen, torn between baking a batch of rich, fudgy brownies or some soft, chewy chocolate chip cookies? It’s a delightful but difficult choice for any dessert lover. But what if we told you there’s no need to decide? Allow us to introduce the bake that brings your sweet dreams to life: the wonderful, decadent, and utterly irresistible Fudgy Chewy Browkies (Brookies). This recipe is our complete guide to achieving the perfect marriage of these two classic treats in one delicious bar, layering a sumptuous brownie base with a perfect cookie dough topping. We think you’re going to be smitten.

What Exactly Are Fudgy Chewy Browkies (Brookies)?

As the name suggests, a “brookie” or “browkie” is a marvellous dessert hybrid, featuring two glorious layers baked as one in a single tin. On the bottom, you have a dense, fudgy brownie, packed with an intense dark chocolate flavour. On top sits a buttery, golden chocolate chip cookie dough, generously dotted with melting chocolate pieces. As they bake, the two layers meld together just enough to create an experience that is both seamless and distinct. You get the rich cocoa depth of a brownie and the nostalgic comfort of a homemade cookie with every mouthful. It’s the ultimate chocolate chip cookie brownie creation, designed to satisfy even the most persistent sweet tooth.

Why You’ll Love This Brookie Recipe

We have lovingly refined this recipe until we were certain it was perfect, and we’re quite sure it’s the best brookie recipe you will ever find. Here is why we’re so confident you will adore it:

• The Best of Both Worlds: You truly get two phenomenal desserts in a single bake. It’s pure indulgence, with no need for compromise.
• Perfect Texture Combination: The base is wonderfully fudgy and moist, contrasting beautifully with the soft, chewy top that has lightly crisped edges. It’s a textural delight.
• Surprisingly Simple: Although it looks incredibly impressive, this is a wonderfully easy brookie recipe. The two layers are crafted from everyday, staple ingredients and are very straightforward to prepare.
• A Total Crowd-Pleaser: Whether you are baking for a family get-together, a school fete, or simply as a weekend treat, these brownie cookie bars are guaranteed to vanish in a flash.
• Completely Customisable: We’ll offer some enjoyable variations later on, but this recipe serves as a brilliant foundation for your own creative touches.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Browkies

To craft the most delectable homemade brookies, we will be working with two separate sets of ingredients—one for our rich brownie base and the other for our chewy cookie topping. We find that using high-quality ingredients, particularly for the chocolate, significantly elevates the final taste.

For the Fudgy Brownie Layer:

• 115g unsalted butter, cubed
• 120g dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa), chopped
• 150g caster sugar
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 70g plain flour
• 25g cocoa powder, unsweetened
• ¼ tsp salt

For the Chewy Cookie Dough Layer:

• 115g unsalted butter, softened
• 100g light brown soft sugar
• 50g caster sugar
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 180g plain flour
• ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• 150g milk or dark chocolate chips (or a mix!)

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make Fudgy Chewy Browkies

Let’s walk through the method with these simple, clear steps. We will begin by making the brownie layer, followed by the cookie dough, before finally assembling and baking our masterpiece. To start, preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C Fan). Grease and line a 20cm (8-inch) square baking tin with baking parchment, ensuring there is some overhang to help you lift the bake out later.

Step 1: Create the Fudgy Brownie Batter

1. Place the cubed butter and chopped dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water (this is called a bain-marie). Stir gently until everything is melted, smooth, and glossy. Remove it from the heat and leave it to cool for 5-10 minutes.
2. In another large bowl, whisk the caster sugar and the two large eggs together until the mixture turns pale and a little fluffy. This process adds air, which helps to form that signature crackly brownie top. Then, stir in the vanilla extract.
3. Pour the slightly cooled chocolate and butter mixture into the egg and sugar blend. Whisk everything together until it is thoroughly combined.
4. Sift the plain flour, cocoa powder, and salt over the wet mixture. Use a spatula to gently fold the dry ingredients in until they are just incorporated. Try not to overmix; seeing a few streaks of flour is fine. Overmixing can make the brownies tough rather than fudgy.
5. Pour your finished brownie batter into the prepared baking tin, spreading it into an even layer with your spatula. Set this to one side as you prepare the cookie dough.

Step 2: Mix the Chewy Cookie Dough

1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with the light brown and caster sugars until the mixture is pale and creamy. An electric hand mixer is great for this, but a wooden spoon and a bit of effort work just as well!
2. Add the egg and vanilla extract, and beat again until everything is fully combined and the mixture looks smooth.
3. In a separate bowl, give the plain flour, bicarbonate of soda, and salt a quick whisk together.
4. Add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients in two stages, mixing on a low speed or folding gently with a spatula until just combined. As before, be careful not to overmix.
5. Lastly, fold through your chocolate chips. We particularly enjoy a combination of milk and dark chocolate for a richer flavour, but feel free to use your favourite kind!

Step 3: Assemble and Bake Your Brookies

1. Now for the really enjoyable bit! Take spoonfuls of the cookie dough and place them in dollops over the brownie batter in the tin. There is no need for it to be perfectly neat. We like to leave small gaps so the brownie layer can peek through.
2. Gently press the cookie dough dollops down a little to create a more even, yet still charmingly rustic, top layer. If you wish, you can scatter a few extra chocolate chips over the top.
3. Bake in your preheated oven for 25-30 minutes. The cookie layer should be a lovely golden brown and the edges should appear set. A skewer pushed into the middle should emerge with moist, fudgy crumbs on it (but not wet batter).
4. Allow the brookies to cool completely inside the tin, which should be placed on a wire rack. This step is absolutely vital! They will be very soft when fresh from the oven and need this time to set properly. Cutting them while they are still warm will result in a delicious, gooey mess. Your patience will be rewarded!
5. Once fully cooled, use the baking parchment overhang to carefully lift the entire slab out of the tin. Place it on a chopping board and slice into 9 or 16 squares.

Top Tips for the Best Brookies Every Time

To guarantee your browkies turn out nothing less than spectacular, we recommend keeping these handy tips in mind.

• Use Room Temperature Eggs: This might seem like a small detail, but it makes a significant impact. Room temperature eggs combine more effectively into batters, resulting in a smoother, more even texture in both layers.
• Don’t Overbake: The golden rule for achieving fudgy brownies (and therefore brookies) is to lean towards underbaking. The residual heat from the tin will continue to bake them as they cool, which is the secret to that wonderfully gooey centre.
• Quality Chocolate is Key: The final taste of your brookies is heavily influenced by the chocolate you use. We advise using a good-quality dark chocolate (with at least 70% cocoa solids) for the brownie layer to achieve a deep, rich flavour that perfectly balances the sweet cookie top.
• Let Them Cool Completely: We know how tempting it is to dive straight in, but letting your brookies cool for at least 2-3 hours (or even overnight) is non-negotiable. It allows the flavours to develop and the structure to firm up, guaranteeing neat, clean slices.
• Understand Your Ingredients: Knowing what each ingredient does can improve your baking. For example, the brown sugar in the cookie layer adds moisture and a caramel flavour, which is crucial for chewiness. For a more detailed look at the science of baking, this baking ingredients glossary from BBC Good Food is a fantastic resource.

Customisation and Variations

One of the most wonderful things about this recipe is its versatility. Here are a few of our favourite ideas to inspire you:

• Go Nuts: For a classic combination, try adding a handful of chopped walnuts or pecans to the brownie batter.
• Peanut Butter Swirl: After you have spread the brownie batter, drop a few spoonfuls of smooth peanut butter on top. Use a knife to create a gentle swirl before adding the cookie dough layer.
• Different Chips: Swap the standard chocolate chips for white chocolate, butterscotch, or even peanut butter chips. For a truly special flavour, why not add elements from our Almond Joy Cookie Recipe by mixing shredded coconut and chopped almonds into the cookie dough?
• A Salty Finish: A light sprinkle of flaky sea salt over the cookie dough just before baking does a marvellous job of enhancing the rich chocolate flavour.

If you’re looking for another unique and delightful dessert to try after mastering these brookies, we highly recommend our light and airy Cloud Cake Recipe!

Storing and Freezing Your Homemade Brookies

These brookies are so delightful that you may not have any leftovers! If you do manage to save some, here is the best way to keep them fresh.

• At Room Temperature: Keep the brookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. We find they become even fudgier and more delicious on the second day!
• Freezing for Later: Brookies are brilliant for freezing. Once they have cooled and been sliced, wrap the individual squares in cling film and place them inside a freezer-safe bag or container. They will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. To enjoy one, simply let it thaw at room temperature for an hour or two.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What’s the difference between a brookie and a browkie?

Absolutely nothing! “Brookie” and “browkie” are simply two different names for the very same, delicious brownie-and-cookie creation. We tend to use both terms.

Can I use a brownie box mix to save time?

You absolutely can, and the result will still be lovely. Just prepare your brownie mix following the packet instructions for a fudgy-style result, spread it into the tin, and then top it with our homemade cookie dough. That said, we feel our from-scratch brownie layer provides a richer, more satisfying flavour that is absolutely worth the extra few minutes of effort.

Why are my brookies dry or cakey?

This is almost always caused by overbaking. Every oven behaves a little differently, so we suggest checking for doneness towards the beginning of the recommended bake time. Don’t forget, you are looking for moist, fudgy crumbs on the skewer, not one that comes out completely clean. Another cause can be overmixing the brownie batter, which develops too much gluten and creates a cakey texture.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, this recipe can be easily adapted. We suggest using a high-quality, measure-for-measure gluten-free plain flour blend that already contains xanthan gum. You can substitute this for the plain flour in both the brownie and cookie recipes using the same quantities.

Do I need an electric mixer?

An electric mixer will certainly make the job of creaming the butter and sugar for the cookie dough quicker and easier, but it is by no means essential. Both the brownie batter and the cookie dough can be prepared perfectly well by hand with a good whisk and a spatula. Think of it as a bonus arm workout!

Conclusion: Your New Favourite Dessert Awaits

And there we have it—our ultimate guide to making the most sensational Fudgy Chewy Browkies (Brookies) in your very own kitchen. By layering a rich, decadent brownie with a soft, buttery cookie dough, we have created a dessert that truly offers the best of both worlds. It is the ideal bake for absolutely any occasion and one we’re sure you’ll come back to time and time again.

So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to gather your ingredients, switch on the oven, and prepare for a taste of dessert heaven. We’re certain that one bite will be all it takes to convince you that brookies are the greatest invention since… well, since brownies and cookies!

We would be delighted to see how yours turn out! If you give this recipe a go, please do leave a comment below to let us know, or tag us in your pictures on social media. Happy baking!