Brookies: 16 Half-Brownie, Half-Cookie Bakes for People Who Refuse to Choose

Brookies are what happens when you refuse to choose between a fudgy brownie and a chewy chocolate chip cookie: you bake them together in one pan. They are all over social media this fall. A layered cookie dough, chocolate sandwich cookie and brownie pan passed 2.1 million views on Instagram in October, and a homemade brookies reel crossed 1.1 million views just this week. The best part is how easy they are. The shortcut version uses a box of brownie mix and a tube of cookie dough, and the from scratch version takes one bowl for each layer. Below are the classics plus fun twists for Christmas cookie trays, from peppermint to peanut butter. Get out your 9 by 13 pan..

Brookies Start With One Box and One Tube

One box of brownie mix and one tube of chocolate chip cookie dough. Press, pour, bake. It is the lazy dessert that keeps going viral because nobody has to pick a side. You get a crackly, fudgy brownie layer and a golden, chewy cookie layer in every bite. Which layer goes on the bottom in your house: A: brownie or B: cookie?..

You will need: 1 box (18 oz) fudge brownie mix plus the eggs, oil and water it calls for, 1 tube (16 oz) refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough, 1/2 cup chocolate chips.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 350 F and line a 9 by 13 inch pan with parchment. 2. Press the cookie dough into the bottom of the pan. 3. Mix the brownie batter as the box says. 4. Pour it over the cookie dough and spread it out. 5. Sprinkle with chocolate chips. 6. Bake 35 to 40 minutes, then cool completely before cutting.

Shortcut Brookies for Busy Weeknights

This is the easiest dessert on the list and the one kids beg for. Swap the order from the cover version: brownie batter first, then pinch the cookie dough into small pieces and scatter them on top so they bake into golden islands. The top gets crisp and the middle stays gooey. Bring a pan to a potluck or bake sale and watch it disappear. How many squares would you eat: A: one, B: two or C: do not ask?

You will need: 1 box brownie mix plus eggs, oil and water, 1 tube (16 oz) chocolate chip cookie dough, flaky salt (optional).

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 350 F and grease a 9 by 13 pan. 2. Mix the brownie batter and spread it in the pan. 3. Pinch off small pieces of cookie dough. 4. Scatter them over the batter and press lightly. 5. Bake 30 to 35 minutes. 6. Sprinkle with flaky salt and cool before cutting.

From Scratch Brown Butter Brookies

If you want bakery level brookies, brown the butter for both layers. It adds a nutty, toffee flavor that makes the chocolate taste even richer. Make the brownie batter in one bowl and the cookie dough in another, then layer them. This version is based on the classic home recipe that has hundreds of five star ratings on big recipe sites, with one small upgrade.

You will need: Brownie: 1/2 cup browned butter, 1 cup sugar, 2 eggs, 1 tsp vanilla, 1/3 cup cocoa, 1/2 cup flour, 1/4 tsp salt. Cookie: 1/2 cup browned butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 egg, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 1/4 cups flour, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 cup chocolate chips.

How to make it: 1. Brown 1 cup of butter, cool it 10 minutes and divide it in half. 2. Mix the brownie batter and spread it in a lined 9 by 9 pan. 3. Mix the cookie dough and fold in the chips. 4. Drop the dough over the brownie and spread it gently. 5. Bake at 350 F for 30 to 35 minutes. 6. Cool completely before cutting.

Triple Layer Brookies With Sandwich Cookies

This is the version that took over Instagram in October. A layer of cookie dough goes in the pan, then a row of chocolate sandwich cookies, then brownie batter poured over everything. Every square has a crunchy cookie hidden in the middle. It is rich, so cut small pieces. It is perfect for parties because it looks impressive and takes about 10 minutes of work.

You will need: 1 tube (16 oz) chocolate chip cookie dough, 24 chocolate sandwich cookies, 1 box brownie mix plus eggs, oil and water.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 350 F and line a 9 by 13 pan. 2. Press the cookie dough into the bottom. 3. Lay the sandwich cookies in rows on top. 4. Mix the brownie batter and pour it over the cookies. 5. Bake 40 to 45 minutes until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs. 6. Cool completely, then chill 1 hour before cutting.

Half and Half Brownie Cookies

Want a version you can pack in a lunchbox? Scoop one ball of brownie cookie dough and one ball of chocolate chip dough, press them together, and bake. Each cookie comes out half dark and half golden. They look amazing on a cookie tray and freeze beautifully. Kids love choosing which side to bite first. Which side would you start with?

You will need: Chocolate dough: 1/2 cup butter, 3/4 cup sugar, 1 egg, 1/3 cup cocoa, 1 cup flour, 1/2 tsp baking soda. Plain dough: 1/2 cup butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 egg, 1 1/4 cups flour, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 cup chocolate chips.

How to make it: 1. Make both doughs in separate bowls. 2. Chill them 30 minutes. 3. Scoop 1 tbsp of each dough. 4. Press one of each together into a ball. 5. Bake on a lined sheet at 350 F for 10 to 12 minutes. 6. Cool 5 minutes on the pan before moving.

Sandwich Cookies With a Creamy Filling

Take the half and half cookies one step further: sandwich two of them around a scoop of chocolate frosting, caramel or peanut butter filling. They are soft, rich and perfect for a holiday cookie box. Make the cookies a little smaller and flatter so the sandwiches are easy to bite. They keep for three days in a tin.

You will need: 12 brookie or chocolate chip cookies (homemade or bakery), 1 cup chocolate frosting or 3/4 cup caramel, or 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter mixed with 1/2 cup powdered sugar.

How to make it: 1. Bake and fully cool the cookies. 2. Match them in pairs by size. 3. Spoon 1 tbsp filling onto the flat side of one cookie. 4. Top with the second cookie. 5. Press gently until the filling reaches the edges. 6. Chill 15 minutes to set.

Brookie Loaf for Slicing

A brookie loaf bakes in a regular loaf pan, so you get thick, fudgy slices instead of squares. Spread half the cookie dough in the pan, add all the brownie batter, then top with the rest of the cookie dough. It is great sliced with a cup of coffee and makes a lovely gift wrapped in parchment and twine. This one went viral on Instagram just last week.

You will need: 1/2 box brownie mix plus half the eggs, oil and water (or half of the from scratch brownie batter), 1/2 tube cookie dough, 1/4 cup chocolate chips.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 350 F and line a 9 by 5 loaf pan. 2. Press half the cookie dough into the bottom. 3. Pour in the brownie batter. 4. Dot the rest of the cookie dough on top. 5. Sprinkle with chips and bake 45 to 55 minutes. 6. Cool completely, then slice thick.

Skillet Brookies With Ice Cream

Bake the layers in a cast iron skillet and serve it warm, straight from the pan, with scoops of vanilla ice cream melting on top. It is the ultimate family movie night dessert, and everyone just grabs a spoon. Pull it out while the center is still a little soft. Remember the skillet stays hot for a long time, so set it on a trivet.

You will need: 1/2 tube cookie dough, 1/2 box brownie mix plus half the eggs, oil and water, vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 350 F and butter a 10 inch oven safe skillet. 2. Press the cookie dough into the bottom. 3. Pour the brownie batter on top. 4. Bake 25 to 30 minutes until the edges are set. 5. Cool 10 minutes. 6. Top with ice cream and chocolate sauce and serve warm.

Muffin Pan Cups With a Surprise Inside

Bake brookies in a muffin pan for perfect single servings with crispy edges all around. A spoon of cookie dough goes in the bottom of each cup, then brownie batter on top. Add a mini peanut butter cup, a caramel or a few sprinkles to the middle for a surprise. They are easy to pack for school parties and bake sales.

You will need: 1/2 tube cookie dough, 1/2 box brownie mix plus half the eggs, oil and water, 12 mini peanut butter cups or caramels (optional), sprinkles.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 350 F and line a 12 cup muffin pan. 2. Press 1 tbsp cookie dough into each cup. 3. Add a candy in the middle if you like. 4. Spoon brownie batter on top, two thirds full. 5. Bake 18 to 22 minutes. 6. Cool in the pan 10 minutes.

Christmas Brookies: Peppermint and Reindeer

For the holidays, stir crushed peppermint candies into the brownie batter and top the finished pan with white chocolate and more candy. Or turn the squares into reindeer with pretzel antlers, candy eyes and a red candy nose, which is a great job for kids. Christmas brookies are a bright, fun addition to any cookie tray. Which would your family pick: A: peppermint or B: reindeer?

You will need: 1 pan baked brookies, cooled. Peppermint: 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies, 1 cup melted white chocolate. Reindeer: mini pretzels, candy eyes, red candies, a little chocolate frosting.

How to make it: 1. Cut the cooled brookies into squares or triangles. 2. For peppermint, drizzle with white chocolate. 3. Sprinkle with crushed candy before it sets. 4. For reindeer, press two pretzels in for antlers. 5. Use frosting to stick on the eyes and nose. 6. Let set 20 minutes.

Peanut Butter Brookies

Peanut butter and chocolate are a classic pair. Swap the chocolate chip layer for a soft peanut butter cookie dough, then swirl a few spoons of peanut butter over the brownie before baking. The top looks marbled and tastes like a giant peanut butter cup. Keep these away from anyone with a nut allergy, and label them on a party tray.

You will need: 1 box brownie mix plus eggs, oil and water. Peanut butter layer: 1/2 cup butter, 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 egg, 1 1/4 cups flour, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/4 cup extra peanut butter for swirling.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 350 F and line a 9 by 13 pan. 2. Mix the peanut butter dough and press it into the pan. 3. Pour the brownie batter on top. 4. Dollop the extra peanut butter over the batter. 5. Swirl it with a knife. 6. Bake 35 to 40 minutes and cool completely.

Cookie Stuffed Chocolate Bar

This homemade candy bar went viral with more than 3 million views. Melted chocolate is poured into a mold or a lined loaf pan, a layer of soft cookie dough or crushed cookies goes in the middle, and more chocolate seals it in. Chill it, then break it into chunks. It tastes like a fancy chocolate bar with brownie and cookie inside. Use heat treated flour or store bought edible cookie dough, since the dough is not baked.

You will need: 12 oz milk or dark chocolate, 1 cup edible cookie dough (store bought or made with heat treated flour), 1/2 cup crushed brownies or cookies.

How to make it: 1. Line a loaf pan with parchment. 2. Melt half the chocolate and spread it in the pan. 3. Chill 10 minutes. 4. Press in the cookie dough and crushed brownies. 5. Melt the rest of the chocolate and pour it over the top. 6. Chill 1 hour, then cut or break into pieces.

S’mores Bars From the Oven

All the flavor of a campfire treat, made in your oven. A graham cracker crust goes on the bottom, then cookie dough, brownie batter, and mini marshmallows on top for the last few minutes so they puff and toast. Broil for 30 seconds if you want darker tops, but watch closely. Use a greased knife to cut through the sticky marshmallow layer.

You will need: 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs, 6 tbsp melted butter, 1/2 tube cookie dough, 1 box brownie mix plus eggs, oil and water, 2 cups mini marshmallows, 1 chocolate bar broken in pieces.

How to make it: 1. Mix the crumbs and butter and press into a lined 9 by 13 pan. 2. Bake at 350 F for 8 minutes. 3. Add the cookie dough in pinches, then pour on the brownie batter. 4. Bake 30 minutes. 5. Add the marshmallows and chocolate and bake 5 minutes more. 6. Cool completely and cut with a greased knife.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars for Thanksgiving

A fall twist for Thanksgiving dessert tables. The cookie layer gets pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice, which makes it soft and cakey, and it bakes over a dark brownie layer. The orange and chocolate stripes look great when you slice them. Serve with a dollop of whipped cream and a pinch of cinnamon.

You will need: 1 box brownie mix plus eggs, oil and water. Pumpkin layer: 1/2 cup butter, 1 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup pumpkin puree, 1 egg yolk, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice, 1 3/4 cups flour, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt, 3/4 cup chocolate chips.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 350 F and line a 9 by 13 pan. 2. Spread the brownie batter in the pan. 3. Mix the pumpkin cookie dough and fold in the chips. 4. Spread it over the brownie in spoonfuls. 5. Bake 35 to 40 minutes. 6. Cool completely before cutting.

How to Cut Brookies Into Clean Squares

Messy squares are the most common complaint, and the fix is easy. Cool the pan completely, then chill it for at least an hour. Lift the whole slab out with the parchment, and cut with a long, sharp knife dipped in hot water and wiped dry between each cut. Trim the edges first if you want bakery neat squares, and eat the trimmings yourself.

You will need: 1 pan baked brookies, a long sharp knife, a tall glass of hot water, a clean towel, parchment paper.

How to make it: 1. Cool the brookies completely in the pan. 2. Chill them 1 hour. 3. Lift the slab out using the parchment. 4. Dip the knife in hot water and wipe it dry. 5. Press straight down instead of sawing. 6. Clean the knife between every cut.

Freezing Brookies for Holiday Cookie Trays

These bars are one of the best make ahead treats for the holidays. Wrap cooled, cut squares in plastic wrap and freeze them for up to three months, then thaw on the counter for an hour. For more cookie tray ideas, see our Christmas cookie box recipes, and the classic brookies recipe on Allrecipes. Which of these brookies will you bake first?

You will need: Cooled, cut brookies, plastic wrap, a freezer bag or airtight tin, parchment for layering.

How to make it: 1. Cut the brookies into squares. 2. Wrap each square in plastic wrap. 3. Stack them in a freezer bag or tin with parchment between layers. 4. Label with the date. 5. Freeze up to 3 months. 6. Thaw on the counter 1 hour before serving.