It’s Brookie O’Clock: Gooey Brownie-Cookie Bars

t’s brookie o’clock! These gooey brownie-cookie bars are rich, chewy, and irresistibly chocolatey—perfect for when you can’t choose between a cookie and a brownie.

Why It’s Brookie O’Clock (Always)

It’s brookie o’clock in our house more often than I care to admit—especially on long Wednesdays when everyone comes home a little hungry and a lot tired. You know those days. When dinner was fine but didn’t quite hit the spot, and dessert needs to be something extra.

That’s how brookies came into our lives. One chilly night, Lily wanted brownies, Noah wanted cookies, and Emma said, “Why can’t we have both?” And honestly? She had a point. I remembered seeing a photo of swirled bars online once, and we got to work experimenting.

Turns out, brookies are the dessert mood when you can’t decide. They’re warm, gooey, a little dramatic (in the best way), and loved by absolutely everyone. They bring the best parts of a chewy cookie and a fudgy brownie into one glorious, chocolate-studded bite.

Pair them with a cozy night, your favorite blanket, and maybe a rerun of something nostalgic. It’s not just a treat—it’s a whole vibe.

What Is a Brookie, Anyway?

A brookie is a dessert bar made by swirling brownie batter and cookie dough together in the same pan.

If a brownie and a cookie had a baby, this would be it: rich, dense chocolate meets buttery chew in one bite. The top is golden and crinkled like a cookie, the base is rich and fudge-like like a brownie. It’s the sweet spot between two dessert worlds.

The first time I served brookies to my kids, they blinked at their plates, then blinked again—”Wait… is this a brownie and a cookie?” Yes, sweetie. Yes it is. It’s brookie o’clock.

Brookie vs. Brownie vs. Cookie

Let’s break it down:

Treat	Texture	Flavor Vibe
Brownie	Fudgy, dense, soft edges	Deep cocoa, rich
Cookie	Chewy, crisp at edges	Buttery, sweet
Brookie	Gooey swirl of both textures	Best of both, balanced

Brookies combine the best of both without making you choose. I made a batch for a bake sale once and watched a picky eater pick out only the cookie bits—but by the second bar, he was going straight for the middle. That’s when you know it’s brookie o’clock.

Printable Recipe Card : It’s Brookie O’clock

Print

Ingredients You’ll Need

We’re working with two beloved batters, so you’ll need ingredients for both. And yes—we’re browning the butter. Trust me, it’s worth it.

For the Brownie Layer:

• ½ cup browned butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• ⅓ cup cocoa powder
• ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp baking powder
• Pinch of salt
• 1 cup chocolate chips

For the Cookie Layer:

• ½ cup browned butter
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 2 tbsp vanilla extract
• 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp baking soda
• Pinch of salt
• 1 cup chocolate chips

Optional Add-In:

• 15–20 Oreos, crushed or halved

Eva’s Note: When browning butter, pull it off the heat as soon as it smells nutty and turns golden—before it burns. My kitchen smells like warm toffee when it’s just right. That’s when I know I’m close to brookie bliss. It’s brookie o’clock!

How to Make These Brookie Bars

1. Brown the Butter

Do this first so it has time to cool slightly. You’ll need two batches—one for each layer. Let it turn amber and smell nutty.

2. Mix the Brownie Batter

In a bowl, whisk browned butter and sugar until glossy. Add eggs and vanilla. Stir in cocoa powder, flour, baking powder, salt, and chocolate chips. Set aside.

3. Mix the Cookie Dough

In another bowl, combine browned butter with granulated and brown sugars. Beat in egg and vanilla. Stir in flour, baking soda, salt, and chocolate chips. Chill the dough for 10–15 minutes to help with layering.

4. Layer the Batters

Line a 9×9 pan with parchment paper. Start with brownie batter, then add dollops of cookie dough. Swirl gently with a butter knife.

Eva’s Note: I like to tuck a few crushed Oreos in the middle layer. They soften and create the dreamiest surprise bite.

5. Bake

Bake at 350°F for 28–32 minutes. The center should jiggle just slightly and the edges should be puffed.

Don’t overbake! Brookies keep cooking a little as they cool.

6. Cool and Slice

Let cool in the pan for 15–20 minutes, then lift out using parchment edges. Slice and serve. Because when they’re ready—it’s brookie o’clock.

Fun Brookie Variations to Try

Let’s mix things up, shall we?

• Brown Butter Brookies: Use all browned butter, no substitutions. Chill both layers before baking.
• Gluten-Free Brookies: Use a 1:1 baking flour and reduce baking time slightly.
• Skillet Brookie: Bake in a greased cast-iron skillet at 325°F for 25–30 mins. Serve warm with ice cream—my favorite for movie nights.
• Birthday Brookies: Add halved Oreos and a hidden layer of Nutella in the middle. It’s over the top and absolutely worth it.

If you love hybrid desserts like this, check out my Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies.

Frequently Asked Questions About It’s Brookie O’clock

Want more cozy, comforting bakes? Come hang out with me over on Facebook!