I feel like it's been awhile since I've shared a dessert. In my home we've been cutting out the amount of dessert we have around which is hard when you love chocolate. We recently had a gathering at a neighbor's house and everyone can count on me to bring dessert. I love doing brownies when it's a gathering because it's a one pan treat that serves a small crowd. This time l wanted to add in a twist with the cookie dough frosting. Let me tell you it was a hit. The combination of the brownie and the flavor of cookie dough pair deliciously together. It's the perfect twist to a classic.
Ingredients for brownies
- 1 cup (2 sticks) butter (I prefer salted. If using unsalted, add in 1/4 teaspoon of salt)
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 4 large eggs
- 3/4 cup cocoa
- 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (sifted or stirred with a fork before adding into the batter)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Ingredients for cookie dough frosting
- 10 tablespoons butter, softened
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon molasses
- 2-3 tablespoons milk
- 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips
Directions for brownies:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 13x9x2 inch baking pan (I let the butter sit out for a 10 minutes and use the butter wrapper to grease the pan).
- Using a large saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Once melted, remove from heat and whisk in the sugar.
- Next, add in the eggs one at a time and whisk well after each egg. Then, add in the cocoa and espresso powder and whisk until all lumps are gone.
- Last, mix in the flour and baking powder until well blended. Pour batter into the pan and bake about 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Let cool completely in the pan before frosting. You can also cool in the fridge to speed up the process.
Directions for the frosting:
- Using a stand mixer or electric mixer cream together the butter and brown sugar for 3-4 minutes.
- Add in the flour and powdered sugar and mix until blended. Scrape down the side of the bowl as needed.
- Mix in the vanilla and molasses and then the milk. Start with 2 tablespoons of milk and add another if the frosting is not spreadable.
- By hand stir in the chocolate chips. Spread the frosting over the cooled brownies. I recommend placing the brownies in the fridge for 30-60 minutes before cutting. This allows the frosting to set on the brownies and makes it easier to cut. Enjoy!