Irresistible Brownie Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies: The Ultimate Dessert Mashup
Prepare to elevate your cookie game with a treat that truly offers the best of both worlds: **Brownie Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies**. Imagine biting into a thick, chewy chocolate chip cookie, only to discover a rich, fudgy brownie surprise nestled perfectly within its golden-brown embrace. This isn’t just a cookie; it’s a culinary experience, a delightful fusion that brings together two beloved desserts into one sensational bite.
This innovative recipe is a delicious adaptation of an old favorite, the Chocolate Chip Brownie Pillows. While inspired by a classic, we’ve fine-tuned it slightly by adjusting the baking powder to achieve an even more perfect texture – a cookie that’s soft and robust enough to hold its brownie treasure without becoming overly cakey. The result is a cookie that’s both familiar and excitingly new, destined to become a staple in your baking repertoire.
One of the most appealing aspects of these Brownie Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies, beyond their incredible taste, is their versatility. They’re a fantastic and creative way to utilize **leftover brownies**, transforming them into an entirely new indulgence. No more wondering what to do with that last batch of brownies; now you have a delicious and exciting purpose for them! For the best results, we highly recommend using fudgy brownies rather than cakey ones. The dense, moist texture of a fudgy brownie holds up beautifully during baking, creating a luscious, melt-in-your-mouth core that perfectly complements the chewy cookie exterior. Whether you bake your brownies from scratch or use a high-quality store-bought option, ensure they are dense and rich for that ultimate brownie experience inside your cookie.
Why These Brownie Stuffed Cookies Are a Must-Try
These aren’t just any cookies; they’re an experience. Here’s why you absolutely need to add Brownie Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies to your baking list:
- **The Ultimate Combination:** Why choose between a brownie and a chocolate chip cookie when you can have both? This recipe marries the gooey, rich decadence of a brownie with the classic comforting chewiness of a chocolate chip cookie.
- **Impressive and Unique:** These cookies are guaranteed to be a showstopper. Their unique “stuffed” nature makes them a conversation starter and a memorable treat for parties, potlucks, or simply a special evening at home.
- **Perfect for Leftovers:** Breathe new life into any leftover fudgy brownies. This recipe provides a brilliant and delicious solution to transform extra brownies into something even more exciting.
- **Textural Contrast:** The soft, slightly crisp edges of the cookie dough give way to a chewy, chocolatey center that encases an intensely fudgy brownie. Each bite is an adventure in textures and flavors.
- **Simple Yet Sophisticated:** Despite their impressive appearance, these cookies are surprisingly straightforward to make. The steps are easy to follow, making them accessible for bakers of all skill levels.
Recipe: Brownie Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies
Brownie Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies
Recipe adapted from Cookie Madness
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 10 cubes frozen baked brownies (1 inch cubes) (approximate 1-inch baked brownies, preferably fudgy, frozen solid)
- 1 stick unsalted butter, softened (114 grams)
- ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed (150 grams)
- 1 large egg (at room temperature for best results)
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour, stirred and spooned into cup or weighed (190 grams – accurate measurement is key!)
- ¼ cup white chocolate chips
- 1 cup semisweet or dark chocolate chips
Instructions
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**Prepare for Chilling:** Do not preheat your oven yet, as the cookie dough requires an important chilling period before baking. This step is crucial for flavor development and preventing excessive spreading.
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**Cream Butter and Sugar:** In a large mixing bowl, using the high speed of an electric mixer, beat the softened unsalted butter and light brown sugar together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and creamy. This can take about 2-3 minutes. Reduce the mixer speed to low, then add the room temperature large egg and vanilla extract. Beat just until everything is combined, taking care not to overbeat, which can lead to tougher cookies. Once combined, gently mix in the salt and baking powder.
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**Incorporate Dry Ingredients and Chips:** Using a large mixing spoon or a sturdy spatula, gradually stir the all-purpose flour into the wet mixture. Mix until just combined; avoid overmixing once the flour is added. Overmixing can develop the gluten too much, resulting in a less tender cookie. Finally, fold in both the white chocolate chips and the semisweet or dark chocolate chips until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
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**Stuff and Chill:** Prepare a couple of dinner plates by lining them with plastic wrap. Scoop out 10 evenly portioned gobs of cookie dough (a large ice cream scoop works perfectly here for consistency). Take each dough gob and carefully flatten it slightly in your hand. Place one frozen 1-inch brownie cube in the center of the flattened dough. Gently wrap the cookie dough around the brownie cube, sealing it completely so that no brownie is exposed. Ensure the dough fully encases the brownie. Once all cookies are formed, cover them tightly with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for several hours, or ideally, overnight. This chilling step is vital for the cookies to hold their shape and for the flavors to meld beautifully.
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**Preheat Oven:** Once the chilling period is complete and you are ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
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**Bake to Perfection:** Arrange 5 chilled cookies onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. If you only have one baking sheet, bake in two batches (5 cookies per sheet). Leave enough space between each cookie as they will spread. Bake for approximately 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are still slightly soft. Be careful not to overbake, as this can lead to a dry cookie and a less fudgy brownie center. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes after removing them from the oven to allow them to set. Then, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
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**Convection Oven Tip:** If you have a convection oven, using it for baking these cookies is highly recommended. Convection heat tends to promote more even baking and can help reduce the amount of spread, resulting in a perfectly thick and tall cookie. Adjust baking time as needed for your convection oven, usually a minute or two less.
Notes & Tips for Success
**Fudgy Brownies are Key:** The success of these cookies heavily relies on the type of brownie you use. Fudgy brownies provide a soft, moist, and rich center that contrasts beautifully with the cookie dough. Cakey brownies might dry out or become crumbly within the cookie. You can bake your own favorite fudgy brownie recipe or use a high-quality store-bought option.
**Don’t Skip the Chill Time:** Chilling the dough, especially with the brownie inside, is non-negotiable. It allows the butter to firm up, prevents the cookies from spreading too much, and deepens the flavors. Frozen brownie cubes are also critical for preventing them from fully melting and disappearing into the cookie dough during baking.
**Room Temperature Ingredients:** Ensure your butter and egg are at room temperature. This allows them to cream together more efficiently, creating an emulsified mixture that traps air, resulting in a lighter, more evenly textured cookie dough.
**Customizing Your Chips:** Feel free to experiment with different types of chocolate chips! Milk chocolate, butterscotch, or even peanut butter chips could add an exciting twist to your stuffed cookies.
Storing Your Brownie Stuffed Delights
Once your irresistible Brownie Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies have cooled completely (if you can wait that long!), it’s important to store them properly to maintain their freshness and that perfect fudgy-chewy texture.
- **Room Temperature:** Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. Placing a slice of bread in the container can help keep them soft, but be sure to replace the bread daily.
- **Freezing Baked Cookies:** For longer storage, these cookies freeze beautifully. Once completely cooled, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to flash freeze for about an hour. Then, transfer the frozen cookies to a freezer-safe airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm slightly in the microwave for a fresh-baked feel.
- **Freezing Dough Balls:** You can also freeze the raw, stuffed cookie dough balls. After forming and chilling them, flash freeze on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. When ready to bake, place frozen dough balls directly on a parchment-lined baking sheet and add 2-3 minutes to the baking time.
Serving Suggestions for the Ultimate Indulgence
These Brownie Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies are magnificent on their own, but a few simple additions can turn them into an even more decadent treat:
- **Classic Milk Pairing:** A tall, cold glass of milk is the quintessential companion for any chocolate chip cookie, and these are no exception.
- **Warm with Ice Cream:** Serve a warm cookie with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or your favorite flavor for an incredible à la mode experience. The contrast of warm cookie and cold ice cream is divine.
- **Coffee or Tea:** Enjoy them with a hot cup of coffee, a creamy latte, or a soothing tea for a comforting dessert moment.
- **Garnish:** A sprinkle of sea salt on top of the warm cookies can enhance the chocolate flavor and add a touch of gourmet flair.
Whether you’re looking to impress guests, use up those last few brownies, or simply treat yourself to an extraordinary dessert, these Brownie Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies are the answer. They combine the familiar comfort of a classic chocolate chip cookie with the rich, dense surprise of a brownie inside, creating a truly unforgettable experience. Happy baking!