Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies

So my plan was to not post again until I had the opportunity to make something and take pictures of the step by step.  But the excitement of having my own blog is too much!  I decided to use something I made a few days ago.  I have a few things that I bake pretty frequently: my grandmom's pound cake, cake balls, sugar cookies, and a few others.  One of my personal favorites is really easy but super delicious: Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies.  This past weekend, my best friend from college, Ally, came to visit!  Since we all graduated it is really hard to see each other because everyone is so busy.  She is getting married this summer and I am one of her bridesmaids.  :-)  She came for the night to catch up and bring my bridesmaid dress that I ordered a while ago.  The dress is SO beautiful.  Anyway, I was short on time but still wanted to make something for her visit so I went with Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies.

There are only 2 left from this weekend, so my picture options were a bit limited.  They were a big hit, as always.  I think I really love these because they are pretty much fool-proof and I don't think I have ever found someone that doesn't like them.  I mean, how can you go wrong?? Chocolate Chip Cookies + Brownies!  I have been making these for years, even before I saw them online.  I also recently saw that they are selling a Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownie Mix!

I am sure that the mix would be good too, but I usually make my cookie dough homemade.  It definitely makes a difference.  Don't judge me, but I usually just use a box brownie mix!  It is still delicious and it saves a lot of time.  Here is the recipe I use...

Recipe: Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies

Ingredients-

Brownie:

1 box of your favorite brownie mix

Vegetable oil, eggs, and water called for on box

(If you feel like making brownies from scratch, try this recipe.)

Cookies:

2 1/4 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, soft

3/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla

2 large eggs, room temp

3 cups semi sweet chocolate chips

Directions-

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray bottom of a 9 x 9 pan with cooking spray.

2. Mix brownies as directed on box and pour in pan.

3. For cookie dough: Combine flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl.  Beat together butter, sugar, brown sugar and vanilla in separate bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time.  Gradually beat in flour mixture. DON'T over-beat.  Gently stir in morsels.

4. Drop by rounded tablespoon-full evenly into the brownie mix.  (I usually have extra cookie dough, so I just use it to make some cookies on a sheet pan at the same time.)

5. Bake at 350 for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

6. Cool for at least an hour before cutting into bars.

Yum!!

Some recipes call for some type of frosting, but trust me, you really don't need it.  They are delicious without it, so why add the calories?  I have to say, my biggest problem with my baking addiction is eating everything I make.  Thank goodness I have a treadmill in my basement. :-)

And a close up...

They look pretty good for being almost a week old! 

The Verdict: Wonderful as always!  I will definitely be making these again, as I have for the past several years.

Coming up:

This Sunday my boyfriend, his parents and his grandparents are coming over for Sunday dinner with me, my parents and Mom-mom.   For those of you who are not Italian-Catholic, on Sundays, we go to church in the morning and then have a huge Italian dinner in the middle of the day.  Dinner is always some kind of pasta: ravioli, gnocchi, homemade cavatelli, homemade spaghetti, etc.  Then we make fresh gravy (sauce for those not from Philadelphia) and have homemade meatballs, sausage, sometimes chicken parm, etc.  After a typical Sunday dinner in house I am once again thankful for my treadmill. :-) I am definitely going to be making some desserts but I haven't made up my mind what yet.  I am thinking some version of Coconut Custard Pie because that is my boyfriend's favorite.  Maybe something with blueberries too because that is what my boyfriend's dad likes.  Any suggestions??

I will update when I have pictures of beautiful deserts. (Hopefully!!)

Until next time, wish me luck!

Jenna xoxo

P.S.  I couldn't resist taking a few pictures of my adorable puppy, Bella, while I was taking the pictures of the brownies.  Isn't she the cutest?!