Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownie Bars

One day I had a craving for brownies but then I had a thought that chocolate chips cookies sounded good too.  Then I wondered if I could combine them both in one recipe.  I took my great grandma's Congo Squares recipe and my Coffee Cream Brownie recipe and got to stirring.  The end result was better than I imagined it would be so I had to take my few pieces out of the pan and send the rest with my husband to work. He said they didn't last long before they were all gone and the plate was empty. 

Soft and chewy with a little bit of crunch from the nuts and the cookie bar dough on top makes this a taste for the senses! 

Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownie Bars                                                    Printable Recipe

Cookie Layer:

2-3/4 cups flour

2-1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

2/3 cup shortening

2-1/2 cups light brown sugar

3 eggs

1 cup nuts, coconut and/or chocolate chips

Brownie Layer:

1/2 cup butter, cut up

3 ounces unsweetened chocolate broken into pieces.

3 eggs

1-1/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3/4 cup flour 

3 Tablespoons finely chopped nuts

35+ Knock Your Socks Off Brownie Recipes

Soft, dense, ooey goey, frosted, plain or stuffed full of treats. There are so many ways to make brownies. I've gathered 35+ chocolately goodness recipes for you to check out.  Whether you like them plain or doctored up I know you will find a recipe here to try. 

Melting Snowman Hot Cocoa Toppers

My daughter is always asking for marshmallows for her hot cocoa and all I had were large ones. They don't melt nicely in hot cocoa unless it is super hot and we don't, for safety reason, heat ours that warm.  This uses whipped topping instead.  Even though it is frozen, the heat from the hot cocoa is just enough to melt it and if you did happen get your cocoa too hot it will help cool it.

Using the decorating design of some snowman cupcakes I made a few years ago I came up with these. I did skip the orange spice drop as noses  The thought of a gummy orange flavored candy floating (or maybe it wouldn't float) in my hot cocoa didn't sound great.  I used orange-colored whipped topping instead. 

Your kids can help you with the chocolate chips and if you need to you can use clean tweezers to place the mini chocolate chips.

Melting Snowman Hot Cocoa Toppers (makes approximately 10)

Small tub whipped topping, thawed
Regular size milk chocolate chips
Mini milk chocolate chips
Orange food coloring gel
Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix

Baked Chocolate Buttermilk Donuts with Chocolate Coffee Glaze

 Soft, moist, and just the right amount of coffee in the glaze.   You'll want to share with a friend (or two!) 

Baked Chocolate Buttermilk Donuts with Chocolate Coffee Glaze         Printable Recipe

Donuts:
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 egg
1/4 cup butter, melted
1-1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar

Peanut Butter Candy Bar Brownies

I used up the leftover chocolate and caramel candies from Halloween in the Loaded Monster Cookie Bars.  This brownie recipe will use up all of your chocolate and peanut butter candies!

Peanut Butter Candy Bar Brownies                                                  Printable Recipe

1 stick butter, melted

2 eggs

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup light brown sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 cup all purpose flour

Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and Reese's Fast Break Bars

1/3 cup Reese's Pieces 

Chewy Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

The only thing that would be better than a tall glass of milk is sandwiching a little bit of ice cream in the middle of two of these and making an ice cream sandwich!

Chewy Double Chocolate Chip Cookies                                     Printable Recipe  

1-1/2 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup shortening
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
1-1/2 cup flour
1/3 cup unsweetened baking cocoa
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups mini semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Chocolate Chip Cookie in a Mug

Most people crave a little something sweet now and then.  The bad part about making your own goodies is that the recipe makes either a whole cake or 2 dozen cookies.  This little treat in a mug will satisfy your sweet tooth, makes a minimal mess, and controls your portion. 

Chocolate Chip Cookie in a Mug                                                              Printable Recipe

1 Tablespoon butter
1 Tablespoon sugar
1 Tablespoon brown sugar
1/8 teaspoon vanilla
pinch salt
1 egg yolk
3 Tablespoons flour (Jovial einkorn flour can be substituted)
1 Tablespoon mini chocolate chips

In your mug, melt butter (takes about 25 seconds if cold, check often so it doesn't boil.) Add sugars, vanilla, and salt.

Congo Squares

My great grandma had this recipe in her recipe box for years.  I needed a birthday treat I could wrap up individually and thought about these.  It's like a chocolate chip cookie in a bar and easy to make.

Congo Squares

2-3/4 cups flour
2-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup shortening
2-1/2 cups light brown sugar
3 eggs
1 cup nuts, coconut, and/or chocolate chips.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In small bowl mix together dry ingredients.

Coffee Cream Brownies (with Gluten Free Option)

Grab a big glass of milk or a cup of coffee.  This dessert deserves a drink!

Coffee Cream Brownies (with Gluten Free Option)                         Printable Recipe

1/2 cup butter, cut up
3 ounces unsweetened chocolate broken into pieces.
3 eggs
1-1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup flour (OR 1 cup Jules GF Flour)

2 Tablespoons whipping cream
3 - 4 teaspoons instant coffee*
2 Tablespoons softened butter
1-1/4 cup powdered sugar

1/3 cup whipping cream
6 ounces semi sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line 8 x 8 inch baking dish with parchment paper.  Leave paper hanging up and over edges.  I only used one piece.  It is mostly used to get the bottom off and the whole brownie lifted out for cutting.  In small glass bowl melt the unsweetened chocolate and butter, 15 seconds at time, stirring in between.  Allow to cool.

Whisk together eggs, sugar, and vanilla extract.

Add melted chocolate mixture to eggs and mix.

Dump in flour and whisk until flour is completely incorporated.

Should be a nice smooth ribbon of liquid chocolate!

Spread into baking dish.  Bake for 25-30 minutes or until toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool completely.

Combine whipping cream and instant coffee.

Add butter and powdered sugar and beat until incorporated.  You can use a little more whipping cream if you need to get it thinner but don't use too much or it will be too thin.

Smooth onto brownies reaching the edge as best you can and keeping the layer even.

In small glass bowl heat up chocolate chips and whipping cream. 15 seconds at a time, stirring in between. 

When you start to stir it will look gloppy and grainy. 

Keep stirring and it will be smooth and glossy.  

Spread on top of coffee cream layer out to the edges.

I swirled the top a little to make it look pretty.  Allow to cool or put in the fridge to set up quicker.

Here is a little side view of it in the fridge.

Use parchment paper and take brownies out of the pan to a cutting board.  Use a long knife to cut with, cleaning it off  in between cuts. 

Store in airtight container.  I put wax paper in between the layers even though the chocolate was set up.

*At 3 teaspoons mine did not have enough coffee flavor for me so I will add another teaspoon next time.

Oatmeal Caramelitas (with Gluten Free Option)

Oatmeal Caramelitas (with Gluten Free Option) 

1-1/2 cups old fashioned oats (use GF)
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1 cup flour (I used Jules GF Flour)
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
12 Tablespoons butter (cold)
1/2 cup caramel topping
2 Tablespoons flour (I used Jules GF Flour)
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup semi sweet or milk chocolate chips

Hot Cocoa Mix

Hot Cocoa Mix

10 1/2 cups* instant milk (powdered)
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
16 ounces plain dry coffee creamer
2 pounds* chocolate drink powder (like Nestle Nesquik)
1/4 cup cocoa powder

Mix together and store in airtight container. 

To use: Mix 3 Tablespoons (give or take) into a cup of hot water.  Add marshmallows on top if you like. 

Great to give as gifts.  Mix and spoon into treat bags or decorative quart jar/container. 

*Products change sizes over the years.  The chocolate drink doesn't come in 2 pound containers anymore but comes in smaller or larger sizes that work.  You can reduce or increase your other ingredients to match. 

Turtle Brownies

These rich turtle brownies are fudgy and full of pecans and caramel!  You’re not going to be able to eat just one brownie so you may want to share!

Turtle Brownies

4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
3/4 cup butter
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup flour
13 ounce package caramels (you can use caramel bits if you don't want to unwrap all those squares)
1/3 cup  whipping cream (or 1/4 cup half and half)
1-1/2 cups chopped pecans

Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownies

I came up with this recipe the other evening as something to take along to an ice cream social.  I made it sugar free using a SF brownie mix and using a stevia sweetener in the pumpkin cheesecake part.  Feel free to use regular brownies and sugar. 

 I also have more pumpkin to brownie ratio.  You could use the same amount of pumpkin cheesecake and use a 9x13" size box of brownie mix if you want.  If you want a more genuine pumpkin pie taste you could add the typical pumpkin pie spices to the cheesecake part.

Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownies

4 ounces cream cheese, softened (light can be used)

1/2 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)

1 egg

1 Tablespoon sugar or 3/4 teaspoon Truvia (made from stevia)

1 8x8" size brownie mix and the ingredients to make the brownies (oil, egg, water etc)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease bottom only of 8x8" or 9x9" glass baking dish with cooking spray. In small bowl, beat all filling ingredients with electric mixer on low speed until smooth. Set aside.

Make brownie batter as directed on box.

Spread 3/4 of the batter in baking dish.

 Pour pumpkin mixture over the top.

Spoon remaining brownie batter over filling.

 Cut through batter several times with knife for marbled design.

For an 8x8" pan bake for 28 to 32 minutes or until a tooth inserted near the middle comes out clean.   9x9" pans, 26 to 30 minutes.

Allow to cool for at least 10-15 minutes before you attempt to cut it.  It is really best if you wait until completely cool.