Decadent Chocolate Chip Brownie Pillows: The Ultimate Stuffed Cookie Recipe
Prepare to be enchanted by a truly unique and irresistible dessert: Chocolate Chip Brownie Pillows. This remarkable recipe, initially discovered by Therese in an advertisement for the highly anticipated Southern Living Christmas edition, is much more than just a cookie. It’s a delightful hybrid, merging the chewy goodness of a chocolate chip cookie with the rich, fudgy heart of a brownie. These “pillows” are not only interesting and fun to make but also substantial enough to be individually wrapped, making them ideal for thoughtful gift-giving or a show-stopping addition to any bake sale.
The Genius Behind the “Pillow”
What exactly defines a “brownie pillow”? It’s a generously sized, soft, and tender chocolate chip cookie that encases a perfectly baked brownie square within its delightful embrace. The name perfectly captures their light, airy yet substantial texture – much like a soft pillow for your taste buds. This unique construction provides a delightful surprise with every bite, as the contrasting textures and intensified chocolate flavor create an extraordinary culinary experience.
For ultimate convenience, this recipe initially suggests using a ready-made brownie mix. This streamlines the process, allowing you to whip up these incredible treats with less fuss. However, the true beauty of this recipe shines when you use leftover brownies from another batch. It’s a fantastic way to repurpose those extra fudgy squares, transforming them into something entirely new and exciting. Whether you opt for a mix or homemade brownies, the result is consistently delicious.
Perfecting the Texture: The Role of Baking Powder
Over the years, while experimenting with this recipe, a question often arises: is two teaspoons of baking powder truly necessary? The answer, unequivocally, is yes. This seemingly generous amount of baking powder plays a crucial role in achieving the signature “pillow” texture. It actively lightens the cookie dough, contributing to a softer, more cake-like crumb that beautifully complements the dense brownie center. Without it, the cookie might be too flat or dense, losing that desirable pillowy quality that makes this treat so special.
The combination of butter and shortening in the cookie dough also contributes significantly to its texture. Butter provides rich flavor, while shortening helps create a tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookie with a slight crispness at the edges, ensuring the perfect balance against the fudgy interior. Brown sugar adds moisture and a caramel-like depth, making the cookie truly irresistible.
Customization and Creative Presentation
One of the most enjoyable aspects of making Chocolate Chip Brownie Pillows is the flexibility in how you choose to present them. While the classic method involves meticulously hiding a brownie square within the cookie dough, creating a delightful surprise, another popular approach is to place the brownie square on top of the dough. Both methods yield fantastic results, offering slightly different visual and textural experiences.
If you choose to hide the brownie, the cookie bakes into a uniform, substantial ball, with the fudgy center revealed only upon the first bite. This can be particularly satisfying. As shown in one of the images, a brownie hidden inside can be further enhanced with a drizzle of melted chocolate chips and a sprinkle of festive, Christmas-colored candies, making it even more appealing for holiday gatherings or special occasions. The options for decoration are endless: consider adding sea salt flakes for a sophisticated touch, a dusting of powdered sugar, or even a dollop of buttercream frosting for extra indulgence.
Why These Brownie Pillows Are a Must-Try
Ideal for Gift Giving
Their substantial size and unique character make Chocolate Chip Brownie Pillows a perfect homemade gift. Individually wrapping them in cellophane bags tied with a ribbon transforms them into elegant presents that are sure to impress. They convey thoughtfulness and a touch of gourmet indulgence, far beyond a typical cookie.
A Star at Bake Sales
For bake sales, these cookies are a game-changer. Their eye-catching appearance and the intriguing concept of a brownie-stuffed cookie will undoubtedly draw attention. They offer a premium feel that can command a better price, making them a profitable and popular item for any fundraiser. People are always looking for something a little different, and these pillows deliver that unique appeal.
Perfect for Holiday Baking
Given their origin in a Southern Living Christmas ad, these cookies are naturally suited for holiday baking. Imagine a platter of these delightful treats, perhaps decorated with seasonal sprinkles or a peppermint drizzle, adorning your holiday table or given as festive gifts. They embody the warmth and indulgence associated with the festive season.
Versatile and Adaptable
Beyond the holidays, these cookies are incredibly versatile. They can be made jumbo-sized for a truly indulgent experience or scaled down for smaller, still substantial, treats. The recipe also offers an alternative method for inserting the brownie, allowing for experimentation and different aesthetic outcomes. This adaptability means you can tailor them to any occasion or preference.
Essential Tips for Baking Success
- Chilling the Dough: Don’t skip the 1-hour chilling time. This is crucial for preventing the cookies from spreading too much in the oven, ensuring they maintain their thick, pillowy shape.
- Even Scooping: For uniform cookies, use a level ½ cup of dough for each jumbo cookie. If making smaller ones, a ¼ or ⅓ cup scoop works well.
- Don’t Overbake: Bake until lightly browned and set. The centers should still be soft and slightly underdone when removed from the oven, as they will continue to cook on the hot baking sheet. Overbaking can lead to dry cookies.
- Parchment Paper is Your Friend: Always use parchment paper-lined baking sheets to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Storage: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days to maintain their freshness and soft texture. They also freeze beautifully for longer storage.
Recipe
Chocolate Chip Brownie Pillows
Cookie Madness
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 20-oz. package double chocolate brownie mix
- 1 stick (114 grams unsalted butter)
- ½ cup (96 grams shortening)
- 1 ½ cups (300 grams firmly packed light brown sugar)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour (315 grams)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 3 cups semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
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Prepare and bake brownie mix according to package directions in an 8-inch square pan. Cool completely, then cut brownies into about 3 dozen squares. You’ll only be making 11 giant cookies, so you won’t need all the brownies.
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Beat butter and shortening at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Add brown sugar, beating until smooth. Add eggs, egg yolk, and vanilla extract, beating until well blended.
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Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; gradually add to the butter mixture, beating just until blended after each addition. Stir in the semisweet chocolate chips. Cover the dough and chill for at least 1 hour.
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). For each cookie, scoop a level ½ cup of dough onto parchment paper-lined baking sheets, placing cookies 3 inches apart. Using your fingers, make an indentation in the mound of dough; place 1 brownie square in the center. Press the chocolate chip dough around the brownie, reshaping it to form a ball.
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Repeat this procedure for the remaining dough and 10 brownie squares, placing no more than 6 cookies on a baking sheet at a time. Chill the prepared cookies for 15 minutes before baking.
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Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 18 to 20 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned and the cookies look set. Cool for 2 minutes on the baking sheets, then remove to wire racks to cool completely.
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Yield: This recipe makes 11 jumbo cookies. For smaller but still very substantial cookies, you can yield 22 cookies.
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Alternative Method (Brownie on top): If you prefer not to hide the brownie, simply form the cookie dough balls and bake them for about 15 minutes, or until they are almost ( but not completely) baked through. After 15 minutes, quickly press a brownie square into the center of each cookie. Continue baking for 3 to 5 more minutes until the cookies are fully set. For half-sized cookies using this method, bake for 12 minutes, then add the brownie piece and cook for 2-3 more minutes.
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For Slightly Smaller Cookies: If you wish to make slightly smaller cookies while still hiding the brownie piece, use about ⅓ cup of dough per cookie instead of ½ cup. Adjust baking time accordingly.
Notes
We encourage you to try your hand at these magnificent Chocolate Chip Brownie Pillows. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion, a thoughtful gift, or simply to treat yourself, these cookies promise a delightful and memorable experience. Share your creations and any personal twists you add; we’d love to hear how these ultimate stuffed cookies turn out for you!