If you’re a fan of brownies and cookies, wait until you try this Fudgy Chewy Brookies (Chocolate-Cocoa Swirl Cookie Brownies) Recipe! It’s the ultimate mashup of those two classics, delivering rich chocolate brownie flavor with the chewy, buttery texture of a cookie. I absolutely love how these come out every time—fudgy in the middle but with that perfect chewiness that’ll have you reaching for seconds before the first bite is even finished.
What makes this recipe special is how it balances deep cocoa notes with a lovely crunch from Demerara sugar and chocolate chips. It’s versatile enough for afternoon treats, lunchbox surprises, or a cozy night snack with a glass of milk. When I first tried it, I couldn’t believe how easy it was to make something that feels so indulgent yet is straightforward enough for a weeknight bake.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Double Chocolate Goodness: Combines both cocoa powder and chunks of dark chocolate for a deep, intense flavor.
- Texture Harmony: Chewy but fudgy, with a crackly top that makes every bite satisfying.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a casual day at home or a special gathering, these brookies impress.
- Beginner Friendly: Simple steps and common ingredients make it easy to succeed even if you’re new to baking.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic in this Fudgy Chewy Brookies (Chocolate-Cocoa Swirl Cookie Brownies) Recipe comes from combining classic baking pantry staples with a few special touches like Demerara sugar and chocolate chips. These ingredients work beautifully together to deliver that irresistible fudgy-chewy texture.
- Plain (All-Purpose) Flour: The base for structure, choose a good-quality brand for best results.
- Cocoa Powder: Unsweetened, it brings deep chocolate flavor; Dutch-processed works wonderfully.
- Baking Powder: Just enough leavening so the brookies rise slightly without losing that dense texture.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the chocolate notes.
- Dark Chocolate (Chopped): Use a good-quality chocolate with at least 60% cacao for rich flavor.
- Butter: Adds richness and helps with fudgy texture; salted or unsalted works fine.
- Eggs: Bring moisture and stability; room temperature eggs blend better for fluffiness.
- Caster or Granulated Sugar: Sweetens while keeping a tender crumb.
- Demerara or Raw Sugar: Adds a subtle crunch and caramel-like flavor.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances all the flavors with warm, sweet notes.
- Chocolate Chips: These little pockets of melted chocolate are my favorite surprise in each bite.
Variations
I love making this Fudgy Chewy Brookies (Chocolate-Cocoa Swirl Cookie Brownies) Recipe my own by tweaking bits here and there. Feel free to adapt the recipe to your tastes or dietary needs, and you’ll find it holds up beautifully!
- Nutty Brookies: Adding chopped walnuts or pecans gives a delightful crunch and nutty contrast—I always add some on special occasions.
- Vegan Version: Swap butter for coconut oil, and eggs for flax eggs to make a vegan-friendly treat that still bakes up fudgy and chewy.
- Spicy Twist: Adding a pinch of cinnamon or cayenne pepper adds warmth and complexity, something I stumbled upon and loved for holiday baking.
- Milk Chocolate Swap: If you prefer a sweeter touch, substitute dark chocolate with milk chocolate for a creamier flavor.
How to Make Fudgy Chewy Brookies (Chocolate-Cocoa Swirl Cookie Brownies) Recipe
Step 1: Get Your Oven Ready and Prep Your Pan
Preheat your oven to 160ºC (320ºF) for a fan oven, or 170ºC (338ºF) if you’re using a conventional one. Line a baking tray with parchment paper—this step is essential because it means your brookies won’t stick and cleanup is a breeze. I like to use a tray large enough to space the brookies out with plenty of room for spreading.
Step 2: Melt the Chocolate and Butter
Place the chopped dark chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl. Set this bowl over simmering water (double boiler style) but be sure the bowl bottom doesn’t touch the water. Stir gently occasionally until everything’s melted into a glossy, smooth mixture. Once melted, stir in the vanilla extract. This step is where the rich chocolatey depth starts to build—don’t rush it!
Step 3: Whisk Eggs and Sugars Until Fluffy
In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, caster sugar, and Demerara sugar on high speed using an electric whisk. Keep going until the mix looks pale, thick, and fluffy—this usually takes about 5 minutes. When you lift the whisk, the batter should drizzle off in ribbons, which means you’re on the right track. I discovered this whipped mix is key to lightness, so don’t rush or skip it!
Step 4: Sift and Combine Dry Ingredients
Now sift together the plain flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt into a bowl. Add in your chocolate chips and gently mix them in. Sifting ensures a lump-free dry mix and even distribution of ingredients—trust me, it really makes a difference in texture.
Step 5: Fold Wet and Dry Ingredients Together
Gently fold the warm chocolate and butter mixture into the egg and sugar batter, trying to keep as much air in as possible. Then fold in your dry ingredients carefully, using a spatula, mixing just until combined. Remember, overmixing will make the brookies tough, and you lose that fudgy-chewy magic we’re after!
Step 6: Scoop and Bake
Use a tablespoon or a cookie scoop to place dollops of batter onto your prepared tray, with enough space between each to let them spread. Bake for about 12-14 minutes until the tops look crackly and set but the centers remain soft. Keep an eye on them—you want fudgy centers, not dry edges.
Step 7: Cool and Enjoy
Once out of the oven, I love sprinkling flaky sea salt on top while the brookies are still warm—it really brings out the chocolate flavor. Let them cool on the tray for about 10 minutes so they firm up without falling apart, then transfer to a wire rack to cool fully. These brookies taste amazing slightly warm or at room temperature.
Pro Tips for Making Fudgy Chewy Brookies (Chocolate-Cocoa Swirl Cookie Brownies) Recipe
- Choose Quality Chocolate: I’ve learned that the better the chocolate, the richer the flavor—don’t skimp here!
- Whisk Eggs and Sugars Well: Whipping until fluffy makes a big difference for that fudgy yet airy texture, so don’t rush this step.
- Fold Gently: Use a spatula and fold slowly to keep the batter airy; this is the little trick I use to keep brookies soft and chewy.
- Don’t Overbake: Oven temps vary, so check early—take them out when tops crackle but centers are still soft for perfect texture.
How to Serve Fudgy Chewy Brookies (Chocolate-Cocoa Swirl Cookie Brownies) Recipe
Garnishes
I often sprinkle flaky sea salt right after baking—it adds that irresistible salty-sweet balance. For a fun touch, a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted white chocolate looks beautiful and tastes decadent. Fresh raspberries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side makes these feel like a dessert celebration.
Side Dishes
My go-to pairing is a glass of cold milk or a cup of strong coffee to balance the sweetness. If serving at a party, I like to add fresh fruit slices or a cheesecake dip to complement the brookies’ richness without overwhelming the palate.
Creative Ways to Present
For birthdays or holidays, I love stacking these brookies as a “brookie tower” on a pretty cake stand, surrounded by edible flowers or chocolate curls. Another fun idea I tried is to sandwich some brookies with whipped cream or frosting for a decadent treat. Mini ramekins filled with melted chocolate to dip them in also make for a fun presentation!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover brookies in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their chewiness. They generally stay fresh for about 3-4 days, but honestly, they rarely last that long in my house. If temperatures are warm, I prefer to refrigerate them to avoid melting, but I let them come to room temp before eating for the best texture.
Freezing
These brookies freeze beautifully! I wrap each one individually in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer bag. When I want one, I let it thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes. The texture stays surprisingly fudgy and chewy after freezing, which is a real win.
Reheating
To reheat, I pop a brookie in the microwave for about 10 seconds. This revives the softness and melts the chocolate chips just a bit, making it taste freshly baked. Just be careful not to overheat or they’ll turn rubbery!
FAQs
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Can I use different types of chocolate for this recipe?
Absolutely! While the recipe uses dark chocolate for a rich and slightly bitter flavor, you can substitute milk chocolate or even a mix of both depending on your sweetness preference. Just remember that chocolate with higher cacao content will result in a deeper chocolate flavor.
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What’s the purpose of using both caster and Demerara sugar?
Great question! The caster sugar sweetens the brookies evenly while the Demerara adds a lovely crunch and subtle caramel flavor that enhances the texture and complexity. If you don’t have Demerara, raw or turbinado sugar are suitable alternatives.
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How do I know when the brookies are perfectly baked?
Look for a crackly top and edges that are set but with a slightly soft center. They should spring back gently when you touch the top. Overbaking can make them dry rather than fudgy and chewy, so it’s better to check a minute or two before the suggested baking time.
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Can I make these brookies gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with your favorite gluten-free flour blend that’s suitable for baking. You might need to experiment a bit with ratios to get the perfect fudgy-chewy texture, but many have had success with this swap.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, this Fudgy Chewy Brookies (Chocolate-Cocoa Swirl Cookie Brownies) Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it bridges my love for brownies and cookies in the best possible way. It’s simple enough for a weekday treat but special enough to serve at a party, and the texture delivers every time. I’m excited for you to try it and make it your own—be prepared for your family and friends to go crazy for these delicious little bites!
PrintFudgy Chewy Brookies (Chocolate-Cocoa Swirl Cookie Brownies) Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 15 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these fudgy, chewy brookies, a delicious hybrid of brownies and cookies. Featuring a rich chocolate base with a crackly top and a perfectly soft center, these treats combine the best of both worlds. Easy to bake in under 30 minutes, they’re perfect for satisfying any chocolate craving with a hint of crunchy sugar texture.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 95 g (3/4 cups) plain (all-purpose) flour
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 85 g (1/2 cups) dark or milk chocolate chips
Wet Ingredients
- 225 g (1 1/4 cups) dark chocolate, chopped
- 56 g (1/4 cups) butter, salted or unsalted
- 2 eggs, room temperature
- 100 g (3/4 cups) caster or granulated sugar
- 90 g (1/2 cups) Demerara or raw sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 160ºC (320ºF) with a fan or 170ºC (338ºF) for conventional heating. Line a baking tray with parchment paper to prepare for baking.
- Melt Chocolate and Butter: In a heatproof bowl, combine the chopped dark chocolate and butter. Place this bowl over a pan of simmering water, ensuring the bowl’s bottom does not touch the water. Stir occasionally until melted and smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Whip Eggs and Sugars: In a separate medium bowl, use an electric hand whisk on high speed to beat the caster sugar, Demerara sugar, and eggs. Whisk vigorously until the mixture is very light, thick, and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Sift the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt into another bowl. Add the chocolate chips and stir gently to mix evenly.
- Integrate Chocolate Mixture: Gradually fold the melted chocolate and butter mixture into the whipped eggs and sugar mixture, stirring gently to keep it airy.
- Fold in Dry Ingredients: Carefully fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a spatula, mixing only until just combined to maintain a light texture.
- Bake the Brookies: Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, place dollops of batter spaced apart on the prepared tray. Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 14 minutes, until the brookies are set and have a crackly surface.
- Cool and Finish: Remove from oven and optionally sprinkle sea salt on top immediately. Let cool on the tray for about 10 minutes to firm up, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Chocolate Melting: Watch closely to avoid overheating; adjust microwave times based on your appliance if melting there.
- Whisking Technique: Whisk until the mixture is thick enough to leave a ribbon trail when the whisk is lifted.
- Consistent Sizes: Use a cookie scoop to achieve uniform brookies and even baking.
- Cooling Importance: Cooling on the baking tray helps the brookies firm up and prevents them from crumbling.
- Demerara Sugar: This raw sugar has a crunchy golden texture. Substitute with turbinado or sugar in the raw if unavailable.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 45 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg