Fudgy Brownie Cookies Recipe

If you’re dreaming of a treat that gives you the best of both worlds — the deeply chocolatey, fudgy chew of brownies and the finger-friendly comfort of cookies — you’re in for a serious delight! Fudgy Brownie Cookies are dangerously easy to love: shiny crackled tops, gooey chocolate-studded centers, and just enough crisp at the edges to keep you coming back for another bite. Whether you need a showstopper for bake sales, want to celebrate a special occasion, or just feel like making your afternoon coffee a thousand times better, this recipe is truly the answer.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Simple doesn’t mean boring. In these Fudgy Brownie Cookies, every ingredient plays a starring role. Expect scrumptiously rich chocolate, just enough sugar for sweetness and shine, and a whisper of salt to pull it all together.

• All-purpose flour: Provides just enough structure to hold the fudgy centers together, ensuring cookies that aren’t cakey or dry.
• Unsweetened cocoa powder: Intensifies the deep chocolate flavor and gives the cookies that gorgeous brownie color.
• Baking powder: Just a touch keeps the cookies from being too dense, helping them stay soft and thick.
• Salt: Brightens and balances all the chocolatey goodness—you’ll never want to skip it.
• Dark chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips (or chopped bar): The heart of the recipe, melted with butter for a luxurious base.
• Unsalted butter: Adds rich flavor, moistness, and helps make the finished cookies shiny and soft.
• Large eggs (room temperature): Vital for that glossy, chewy texture and to help the batter come together smoothly.
• Granulated sugar: Works with the eggs to create those iconic crackly tops and sweetness.
• Brown sugar: Adds a hint of caramel flavor and keeps the cookies fudgy.
• Vanilla extract (or coffee/chocolate extract): Enhances depth of flavor, making the chocolate taste even more decadent.
• Semisweet chocolate chips: Stirred in at the end for gooey chocolate pools in every bite.
• Optional flaky salt: A sprinkling on top is the secret to making the chocolate pop and turning each cookie into a bakery-worthy treat.

How to Make Fudgy Brownie Cookies

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheets

First things first, get your oven heating to 350°F. While that’s happening, line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This little step ensures your Fudgy Brownie Cookies pop off the pan effortlessly, keeping their beautiful crackled tops intact.

Step 2: Melt Chocolate and Butter

Place 1 cup of your chocolate (chips or chopped bar) and the cubed butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring each time, until the mixture is glossy and completely melted. Let it rest for a few minutes so it doesn’t scramble your eggs in the next step.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. This gives you an evenly-mixed, lump-free base, ensuring every Fudgy Brownie Cookie is perfectly chewy and rich.

Step 4: Beat Eggs, Sugar, and Extract

Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, combine the eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract in a large bowl. Beat on medium-high speed for 5 minutes—yes, it’s a while! But this is the trick for those shiny tops and a soft chewy crumb.

Step 5: Add the Melted Chocolate

Turn your mixer to low and drizzle in the melty chocolate-butter mixture. Blend for about a minute, just until everything comes together into a thick, glossy batter.

Step 6: Combine with Dry Ingredients

Add your dry ingredient mixture to the bowl and mix on low, just until combined. This takes around 20 seconds—stop when you no longer see streaks of flour. Over-mixing here can lead to tough cookies, and we want them fudgy all the way through!

Step 7: Fold in Chocolate Chips

Gently fold in the remaining semisweet chocolate chips by hand with a spatula. The dough will be more like a gooey brownie batter than a typical cookie dough—and that means you’re on the right track.

Step 8: Scoop and Space the Dough

Lightly spray a medium cookie scoop with nonstick spray. Drop mounds of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 3 inches between each so the cookies have space to spread into perfect rounds. This is key to beautifully edged Fudgy Brownie Cookies.

Step 9: Bake to Crackly Perfection

Bake for about 14 minutes, until the tops are shiny and crackly but the centers are still soft. Resist the urge to overbake—the magic is in the fudgy centers.

Step 10: Sprinkle with Flaky Salt

As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, sprinkle the tops with a pinch of flaky salt if you love that sweet-salty combo. It is optional, but it truly elevates the chocolate.

Step 11: Cool and Transfer

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheets for 5 to 10 minutes—this helps them set up—then gently transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. The hardest part is not sneaking one warm from the tray!

Step 12: Store for Freshness

Once cooled completely, tuck the cookies into an airtight container. At room temperature, they’re good for 1–2 days — if they last that long. Each batch makes about 18–20 Fudgy Brownie Cookies.

How to Serve Fudgy Brownie Cookies

Garnishes

Besides the optional flaky salt, try finishing your cookies with a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted chocolate once they’ve cooled. Chopped nuts, like walnuts or pecans, are another favorite for extra texture and flavor.

Side Dishes

Nothing goes better with Fudgy Brownie Cookies than a tall glass of cold milk—or, if you’re feeling fancy, a scoop of vanilla ice cream sandwiched between two cookies. For adults, pair them with strong coffee or even a rich dessert wine for a truly decadent treat.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re sharing these treats at a gathering, stack them artfully on a cake stand or wrap bundles with ribbon for sweet gifts. You can also tuck them into colorful boxes for bake sales or party favors. For the ultimate indulgence, offer a “cookie sundae” bar with ice cream, sauces, and fun toppings!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep leftover Fudgy Brownie Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. If you want them to stay extra soft, pop a slice of bread into the container to help maintain the moisture level.

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully! Arrange cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a zip-top freezer bag. They’ll stay delicious for up to 2 months—just thaw at room temperature when cravings strike.

Reheating

If you’d like to bring back that just-baked warmth and fudginess, microwave a cookie for 10–15 seconds. The chocolate will melt, the edges will soften, and your kitchen will smell amazing all over again.

FAQs

Why do my Fudgy Brownie Cookies sometimes turn cakey instead of chewy?

This often happens if you over-mix the batter or add too much flour. Measure carefully, and stop mixing as soon as the flour disappears to keep your cookies perfectly fudgy and chewy.

Can I use milk chocolate in place of dark or semi-sweet chocolate?

While you can, the cookies will turn out much sweeter and less intense. For the signature depth of flavor in true Fudgy Brownie Cookies, dark or semi-sweet chocolate is best.

How do I know when the cookies are done?

Look for shiny, crackly tops and slightly set edges with soft centers. If the cookies look wet in the middle, give them another minute or two, but remember: the centers should stay fudgy when cooled.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the dough, scoop it, and refrigerate for a few hours before baking. Bring shapes to room temperature before baking for best results.

What’s the best way to store the cookies for gifting?

Drop cooled Fudgy Brownie Cookies into cellophane bags or decorative boxes, layering with parchment to prevent sticking. They’ll stay fresh for a day or two, perfect for gifting to friends and family!

Final Thoughts

If you’re searching for the richest, chewiest, most decadent treat around, these Fudgy Brownie Cookies deliver every single time. I hope you’ll try them soon and fall in love with their texture and chocolatey bliss. Share them, gift them, or keep them all to yourself—you truly can’t go wrong!

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