Well, if you haven’t heard, this site has been around for six months now, and, to celebrate, I’m holding a giveaway! Even if you don’t want to enter to win a prize, you really should head over just to see the comments being left. One or two gave me a lump in my throat, which, admittedly, isn’t too hard to do lately—Am I the only one who can never, ever watch P.S. I Love You again? Even Flash of Genius—I had to skip to the end to see the happy ending before I lost it, just 20 minutes into the video. This does not bode well for my future, in which I am supposed to grow more emotional, aren’t I? But back to the comments: all of them have felt like they were written by old friends, and have convinced me, more completely than before, that the people who read this site are some of the nicest you’ll find, anywhere.
Speaking of which, those of you who love chocolate were awfully patient last week when I posted, the day before the biggest chocolate holiday of the year, a recipe for iced lemon cookies.
So today, I’m making it up to you.
I dare you—chocolate prejudices notwithstanding—to eat just one of these. Part chocolate-chip cookie dough (but no raw eggs, for anyone concerned) and part fudgey brownie, these were first made for me by my friends Craig and Shelley, when I was up visiting last fall. In their basement one night, after putting their son to bed, Craig set a Tupperware container of these on the coffee table, offering them before I held the baby and Shelley taught me how to use a Wii. A few minutes later, when Shelley said she’d split a second, I grabbed a whole one for myself. (Just between us, it took some restraint not to reach for a third right then, too, but I was a guest, after all.)
This year, I worked Valentine’s, in exchange for having yesterday, my mom’s birthday, off (completely worth it. Happy birthday, Mom!).
And anyway, I’m of the opinion that, if you have to work on a day like Valentine’s, or, really, any day, whether a rainy Monday or a sunny Wednesday, you really ought to have a rich dessert. I can’t think of a time when it’s not appropriate, (well, except maybe when your date is telling you that no, she doesn’t like cheesecake and you make her eat it anyway. Yes, I am the one who doesn’t like cheesecake, and, yes, he made me share his—don’t do that, OK?). So that’s how I ended up in the grocery store around 10 PM last Friday night, just me and a dozen or so lone men rushing for pink and red balloons and greeting cards. I had Shelley on the phone, calling out ingredients, and I had the memory of those brownie-cookies in my mind.
With a layer of rich chocolate brownie topped by cookie dough as good as any you’ve licked out of a bowl, drizzled with chocolate-chip glaze on top, these bars are the definition of decadent. But if you’re thinking that means they’re too rich, akin to cheesecake or that liquid chocolate Starbucks used to make, don’t. Not only could I eat the cookie dough by itself (and did, tasting one chunk and then another, later scraping the bowl clean after it was emptied), but I think I ate five bars Saturday, not that anyone was counting. It was Valentine’s Day, after all, and, um, I did have to work. Mostly though, these are just really, really good brownies. Try them, and you’ll understand.
Cookie-Dough Brownies
Ingredients:
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
(for cookie dough/filling:)
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 Tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
(for glaze: I actually decided to double this for extra glaze)
1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
1 tablespoon butter
Directions:
MAKE THE BROWNIE LAYER:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Generously grease a 9 X 13 pan. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine sugar, cocoa, flour and salt. Add oil, eggs and vanilla, and beat on medium speed for about three minutes. Pour mixture into prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely.*
MAKE THE COOKIE DOUGH/FILLING:
In a medium bowl, combine butter with white and brown sugars. Add milk and vanilla and mix until combined. Then add the flour. Spread this over the cooled brownies and then top with glaze.
MAKE THE GLAZE:
Microwave the semisweet chocolate chips with a tablespoon of butter until lightly melted, but with chunks of chocolate still in tact. Spread over brownies.**
*I’ll just admit that I didn’t wait for the brownies to cool, but I spread the cookie dough over the brownie layer, carefully, and stuck that whole thing in the fridge over night. In the morning, I made the glaze to put on top before leaving for work.
**Also, to be transparent, I decided I wanted more glaze at the end, so I made a second batch and spread that all over, too. In other words, I used 2 cups chocolate chips and 2 tablespoons butter.
About Shanna MallonShanna Mallon started Food Loves Writing back in 2008, as a way to remember her grandma and write about her life through food. Since then it's become a place leading her to a lifestyle of eating whole foods, a new home in Nashville and the love of her life, Tim. Follow Shanna on Twitter @foodloves, keep up with Food Loves Writing on Facebook and stay inspired with the monthly newsletter.
how lovely, to spend a random middle of the week day with your mom on her birthday. Happy Birthday to your mom!
this cookie looks decadent, like not only will it stick to your fingers but to your HIPS!
next time i have a hankering for such a rich chocolatey goodness, i might have to whip this up.
and not to scare you, but as i’ve gotten older, i sniffle over the most random of things. i didn’t shed a tear during Titanic when it first came out (we all KNEW the ship was going to SINK!) and it was on the other day, i bawled my eyes out at the closing scene. i sniffled during the Amazing Race on Sunday and i haven’t dared watch PS I Love You again … just warning you…
Oh. My. Gosh! As always… the photos are making my mouth water! This is way better than anything I’d buy from Fannie May or the grocery store. Home made chocolate treats mean more and taste (undoubtedly) better!
Simply sinful. In a good way.
OMG…these looks wonderful, and it is a great picture. Thanks for stopping in and checking out our site.
You know, I don’t mind lemon cookies one bit…but these do look rich and decadent! Mmmmm.
These look great. Thanks for the recipe.
Michelle
http://oneordinaryday.wordpress.com/
oooh – this one sounds good! I’m emailing it to myself – so I can remember it.
Lan – Laughed out loud about the hip comment. Yes, you are probably right, which reminds me that I really need to workout more. Also, you made me feel so much better when you said you cry, too. Maybe this is just something to embrace, you know? Like, I am a crier. Oh, gosh.
Thanks, Carrie! Too bad you missed these, but I know you’re working more days next week, so…
DD: LOL!
Thanks, MaryBeth, and thanks for checking out mine!
Kickpleat – I couldn’t have said it better.
Michele – Absolutely! Thanks for stopping by!
Katie – Hope you like them!
who who whoaa!!!
Shannalee these look so delicious. Must bookmark and try soon! Thanks!
I had to chuckle when I read your line about ending up in the grocery store around 10 PM with a dozen or so lone men rushing for balloons and greeting cards. As a professional greeting card writer since 1986, I am so aware of certain trends. One of these is a mainstay–men do NOT buy greeting cards (Can you picture a guy buying a friendship card, one of those laugh-out-loud ones we women thrive on, for another guy?! Just doesn’t happen!)…men do NOT buy greeting cards except at two times of the year. One is Valentine’s Day as you alluded to, Shannalee and the other is the Saturday before Mother’s Day with their young children in two. Men consider greeting card racks like the plague–they’re afraid of catching something if they get too close! By the way, your recipe above looks heavenly. I’ll definitely try it. Best, Sandra Miller-Louden
LOL, Rachel!
Thanks, RobinSue – I hope you love them!
Sandra – Your comment made me laugh. I can only imagine the perspective you have, as a veteran card-writer. Thanks for sharing and for making me feel a little better about being the one girl at the store.
I would officially like to thank you, and your friend Shelley, for this deliciousness. Two of my favorite things combined! Yum.
Those brownies look really good!
Omg!! My 2 favorite sweets in the world: brownies and cookie dough! ( Actual cookies are tied with cookie dough:) All in one! All I have to say is WOW and Thanks!!!
Ada – Thanks for your comment, and you sound like a person after my own heart!
Made these tonight and they’re as good as they look. Absolutely delicious and decadent too. Thanks for sharing a great recipe.
Yay! Thanks for letting me know, Diane!
these look amazing!! i plan on making them tonight for a dinner party tomorrow, however I have a quick question… how many servings does this recipe make?
mj – well it really depends on how large you cut the brownies! It’s a 9 X 13 pan, if that helps!