Friday, April 20, 2012

Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownie Bars


This is probably the most frequently made sweet treat in our house. I posted the recipe last year, but I made them again recently (for Easter) and I took more detailed, step by step photos this time.

Their humble beginnings were as a kind of happy accident for me about 5 or 6 years ago and they were such a big hit, that they've become one of my top 5 pot luck and party requests. The more I think about it.... let's change that to top 3.

I had several people coming over for a last minute cookout and I needed something to serve for dessert. I rarely use a box mix for simple baked goods like cakes, cookies or brownies, but I've definitely learned that they can make life a little easier, now that I'm not always feeling well. I had one box of brownie mix and one box of chocolate chip cookie mix (first boxed cookie mix that I'd ever bought, btw) and I was certain that neither one of them was going to make quite enough for the number of people that were coming.

I had almost scrapped the idea of making something homemade and was going to send Hubbs to the store to get something that I could pass off as my own, (OK, all of you Judgy Mc Judgers.... you know you've done that too) when I had a thought. Why not combine the two mixes in some way and pray my knees to the bone see what happens?  Et Voila! A classic was born!

(Sorry for the over exposed photos. I took these pics in a hurry, because my daughter was leaving to go back home and I needed to get them done in time for her to take some with her. They're another one of the items on her list of "food requests" when she comes home.)


Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownie Bars
  • 1 Box Ghirardelli Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix
  • 1/4 Lb Butter (1 Stick), softened
  • 1 Lg Egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 Box Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Brownie Mix
  • 1 Lg Egg
  • 1/3 Cup Vegetable Oil
  • 1/3 Cup Water

Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees. 


In a large mixing bowl, combine cookie mix and softened butter with a pastry cutter or fork until you get pea sized pieces. (as you would for most pie crusts, etc.)


Add in the lightly beaten egg and continue to mix with the pastry cutter so that you have chunks of dough.  Do not combine it thoroughly, the way you normally would with a cookie dough.


In another mixing bowl, prepare the brownie batter according to the package instructions.


Loosely layer the cookie dough "crumbles" in the bottom of a 13x9x2 baking dish and then pour the brownie batter over the top, spreading it out towards the edges of the pan. It's perfectly OK if there are areas where the cookie dough isn't fully covered.  (Depending on the humidity in your house/area and the actual size of the "large" eggs that you get, the volume of each dough/batter can vary. I find that more often than not, the eggs that are sold in my area as "large" are generally more like "medium" eggs.) I wouldn't suggest doubling the egg in those cases, though. It all works itself out just fine.


Bake the bars at 350 degrees for 35 to 38 minutes, but depending on your oven, it may take more or less time. I would start checking them at 30 minutes, just to be safe. You want them to be just barely set in the center when you take them out. Unlike certain parts of my arms that will soon be exposed in summer clothes, a little bit jiggly is actually a good thing. ;~)


So, just as it was with the rest of my Easter brunch offerings, I didn't get a photo of these before they were cut, because the vultures my lovely family members were diving head first into them, before I was even done putting all of the food out on the buffet table.

As with all rich, gooey chocolate confections, a glass of ice cold milk is really all that you need to accompany these, but you can serve them in any number of ways, with all kinds of yummy additions. Vanilla bean ice cream, chocolate or hot fudge sauce and whipped cream, are just a few possibilities that come to mind at the moment. Your imagination is your only limitation!  Enjoy!

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Holy Moly! I just found out that my Asparagus and Bacon Quiche was featured last week, at the Fridays Unfolded party, hosted by the super sweet Alison at Stuff and Nonsense! (I didn't have the chance to link up last week and totally missed it.)

Yay! My Baked Blueberry French Toast was featured at Show & Tell with Mrs Hines, hosted by the very lovely Sharon at Mrs Hines' Class.

And... it was also featured at Inspire Me Monday, hosted by the always sweet (and far too kind) Ramona at Create With Joy!

Geese Louise! It seems that there must be a whole lot of blueberry fans out there! Just found out the Blueberry French Toast was also featured by the always sunny "D" on her Sunday Porch Parade and Pinterest Gallery over at The Shady Porch.
And.... It was just featured at this weeks Toot Your Horn Tuesday, hosted by the ever creative and crafty Debbie at Debbie Does Creations.

I sure hope you all get a chance to pop in and pay a visit to all of these lovely ladies and their incredibly fun and inspiring blogs. Just click on any of the links above. I promise that you'll be very glad that you did!





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16 comments:

  1. This is what Bob Ross refers to as "Happy Accidents"! I think it looks glorious!
    Blessings,
    Susie

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  2. Okay, I don't use mixes...but this might make me reconsider...OR, I could combine my favorite scratch brownie mix and my favorite blonde brownie mix (which the first ever "dish" that I became known for in our family). Hmmm. Either way, sounds pretty darn good!

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  3. --Oooo, My,
    these look simply and utterly AMAaaaaaaaing.

    Thank You! <3

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  4. I remember when you posted this recipe last time--and they still look super delish. Yum. yum.

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  5. This looks so delicious! Wonderful ingredients. Thanks for sharing on Creative Monday and have a good week.

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  6. Wow this looks soooo yummy I can almost taste it Pining this onto my Creative Mondays board thanks so much for linknig up to Creative Mondays :)

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  7. I can't wait to try this! I can see why it's such a favorite amongst your family and friends. It's sure to be a hit at the Show & Tell party. I will be pinning this to my recipe board. Your comment about your family eating it up before you finish serving everything reminds me of when I was a kid. There are four of us and every time mom came home from the grocery store, we devoured all good stuff before she had a chance to finish unloading the groceries.

    sharon @ mrs. hines class

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  8. Oh my do these look divine! Thanks so much for sharing at Mix it up Monday :)

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  9. OH MY WORD!!!! I am pinning this! This is absolutely sinful :) Thanks so much for sharing at Toot Your Horn Tuesday. I LOVE reading your recipes. They make me think I can do it too ;)

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  10. Wow. Those look dangerously delicious! They are easy too which is just crazy. It was genius throwing the mixes together. Thanks so much for coming by and commenting on my blog! (ohigotthis.blogspot.com). I'm a knew follower! You have so many great recipes on here!

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  11. Mmmmm, These look divine! I can't wait to try them. My kids are chocoholics and will love this. Thanks so much for linking up to Creative Thursday this week.

    Can't wait to see what you link up next week.

    Have a great week,
    Michelle

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  12. Hi Mary,
    The presentation for your bars is just beautiful and your recipe looks awesome. Hope you have a great week end and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
    Come Back Soon!
    Miz Helen

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  13. As always - YUM!!! Have an awesome weekend & as always, I look forward to seeing what you'll be sharing at Inspire Me Monday at Create With Joy!

    Create With Joy
    http://create-with-joy.com

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  14. Yum! Brownies are my absolute favorite, and with cookies too? Delish!

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  15. Wow, these look addicting!! I am going to have to pin them for sure. Thanks for sharing with us at Link It Up Thursday.

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  16. These are just mouth-watering!
    Brownies and cookies together - DIVINE

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