Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownies

My sweet tooth was acting up again and I couldn't decide whether to make brownies or chocolate chip cookies. Brownies would satisfy that chocolate craving whereas chocolate chip cookies are my all time favorite cookie. I'd make both but really, would that be a smart thing to do, lol?  After some recipe surfing online, I learned that I could satisfy both cravings by making these Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownies...

These brownies are awesome - a rich chocolate brownie base studded with a classic chocolate chip cookie dough on top! Apparently, this decadent dessert is popular on the Betty Crocker website and can be made with their boxed brownie mix and cookie mix. But since I already had ingredients on hand to make both a brownie batter and cookie dough from scratch, I saved myself a trip to the grocery store. I used a brownie recipe from About.com and made a half batch of the classic Nestle Tollhouse Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe. Either way you make it (by using the mixes or from scratch), one thing for sure is that they won't last long! I plan on making this again and for variation, I'll use different baking chips such as butterscotch, mint chocolate chips, toffee, etc and/or even use another cookie dough recipe such as peanut butter!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownies

recipe adapted from Betty Crocker

Brownie Batter:
4 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate, chopped
2/3 cup butter
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1-1/4 cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease bottom of 13x9" baking pan. In large microwave safe bowl, combine unsweetened chocolate and butter; melt on 40% power for 2-3 minutes; stir until smooth. Beat in sugar, then eggs. Stir in flour and baking powder. Spread in prepared pan.


Cookie Dough:
1 cup all-purpose flour1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
6 tablespoons granulated sugar
6 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/4 cup chopped walnuts

Combine flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto brownie batter; press down to push cookie dough slightly into brownie batter.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes or until brownies are set and edges look dry. Cool completely on wire rack.