My first attempt at Brookies hiding in the shadows.

BROOKIES

“Sometimes in life, you just need to dive in and try new things.  Personally, I am not a big fan of boxed brownies or refrigerated cookie dough, but when I heard the concept of the “Brookie” (a brownie and cookie combined), I had to give it a try.  Plus, it provides a nice subtle reentry into baking after the Holiday baking push.  Baked in a muffin pan, these chewy cookies are fun, but my efforts certainly left room for improvement.  Although, I still need to work on my Brookies, here are some of my thoughts, which might lead you to greater success.

1) Use a metal muffin pan.  I tried my Silicone muffin pan that I love for muffins and the Brookies initially turned out undercooked.  When they came out of the oven, they looked perfect, but the cookie soon sunk deep into the brownie portion.

A post-baking Brookie still housed in the muffin pan, under a partial eclipse caused by my large head.

2) Aim for cakey brownies.  I only used one egg  in my brownie batter, hoping for more of a fudgy consistency, but I think it contributed to the cookies sinking.  The second egg probably would have helped.

3) Cool slightly and then remove.  The few Brookies that I baked in the metal muffin pan were baked through, but I figured I would let them sit in the pan to fully cool like normal brownies.  Unfortunately, this led them to becoming almost impossible to remove.  If I had intervened sooner, a few more of the Brookies (I just like saying the name) could have been saved.

4) Paper muffin cups?  Why not?  Considering the difficulty I had removing some of the Brookies, paper muffin cups are certainly worth a try.

I wish you the best in your Brookie efforts.  My boys liked the taste of my initial attempt, so I will certainly revisit this cookie adventure someday soon.  Enjoy!”  – Cookie Dave

 

One Box Brownie Mix, plus extra ingredients needed per package (we needed 1-2 eggs, 1/3 cup water, and 1/3 cup vegetable oil)

One Package Refrigerated Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

 

The primary Brookie ingredients.

On a side note, I don’t think I will ever stop being bothered by the fact that the Pillsbury Dough Boy never wears pants.  In the kitchen.  While baking.  Just not right.

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease a muffin pan.

Prepare brownie mix per directions on box.

In each muffin cup, place one Tablespoon of brownie batter on the bottom and top with one rounded Tablespoon of refrigerated cookie dough.

Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the brownie portion comes out clean.

Let rest for about 5 minutes.  Use a spatula to help remove the Brookies from their muffin cups.

 

Makes 16 Brookies.

Revised Source:  “Brookies” Facebook post by Z88.3 in Orlando, Florida.  As forwarded to me by my dear friend from my days at the University of Michigan and fellow cookie lover, Lisa Morgan Gessner.