Easy Birthday Brookies Recipe (Brownie + Cookie)

Birthday Brookies - Half cookie and half brownie, but make it taste like birthday batter and add sprinkles and you have birthday cake brookies! 

This easy brookie recipe combines a chewy chocolate chip cookie dough layer with a fudgy brownie layer to create the perfect bar for celebrating any birthday party (or, let's be real-any random Tuesday).

I brought a batch of these homemade brookies to a get-together last night and they were such a hit, my friends were texting me the next morning asking for more. But I couldn't deliver-I had to get back to recipe testing! This brookies recipe combines a few of my favorite things: fudgy brownies, chewy chocolate chip cookies, rainbow sprinkles, and being a little dramatic about dessert. If you're anti-sprinkles, that's okay… it just means you're not invited to my birthday party. 🙂

For more fun birthday related recipes, here are some

• Strawberry Funfetti Cake With Real Strawberries
• Best Golden Oreo Birthday Cake
• The Best Birthday Golden Oreo Blondies 
• Fun and Festive Birthday Cake Cookies

Why You'll love this recipe

1. Part cookie, part brownie - It's the best of both worlds. A classic dessert mashup.
2. Sprinkles for days - Because we're celebrating (and because it's the best way to make your dessert cuter).
3. Easy recipe - You can use a boxed brownie mixture and still get bakery-level brookie bars.
4. Delicious treat for all occasions - Not just for birthday celebrations-this one satisfies a sweet tooth any time.
5. Freezer-friendly - Store extras in an air-tight container or freezer-safe bag and thank yourself later.

Pantry Necessities - Birthday Brookies

If you want a full and real ingredients list, scroll down to the recipe card below!

• Brown sugar + dark brown sugar - Both bring depth to the cookie dough layer.
• Large eggs + egg yolk - This combo gives you structure and that gooey center.
• All-purpose flour - A pantry staple for both the brownie and cookie parts.
• Mini chocolate chips - Or chopped dark chocolate for a melty finish.
• Unsalted butter - Melted for that soft texture in the cookie dough.
• Vanilla extract - Don't skip it! It's essential for flavor.
• Cake batter extract (optional) - Adds a birthday cake vibe, but vanilla works just fine.
• Rainbow sprinkles - Essential for maximum joy.
• Boxed brownie mix - Or your favorite homemade brownie recipe.

Step By Step - Birthday Brookies 

Need some help? Here is a short summary of what you need to do! For a full list of instructions, you can find the entire recipe card at the bottom of the page! 

• Prepare and Preheat: Start by gathering your ingredients and preheating the oven to 325°F (163°C). Line a 9x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper and give it a light coating of non-stick spray.
• Melt the Butter: Melt the butter in the microwave, heating it in 30-second intervals until fully melted. Set it aside to cool while you move on to the next steps.
• Mix the Brownie Batter: Follow the instructions on the brownie mix box to prepare the batter. Once done, set it aside for later.
• Prepare the Cookie Dough: Combine the melted butter and brown sugar until smooth. Whisk in the eggs, one at a time, until well combined.
• Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Add the extracts, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and flour. Gently fold until just combined.
• Add Mix-Ins: Stir in the chocolate chips and rainbow sprinkles until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
• Assemble the Brookies: Drop spoonfuls of brownie batter and cookie dough alternately into the prepared pan.
• Bake to Perfection: Bake for 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs.
• Cool and Serve: Allow the brookies to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

Expert Baking tips 

• The quality of your ingredients can significantly impact the final result. Opt for premium chocolate, good quality butter, and fresh eggs for the best flavor and texture.
• Accuracy is key in baking. Use a kitchen scale to measure ingredients like flour for the most precise results. Level off dry ingredients with a straight edge for accuracy.
• Every oven is different, so keep an eye on your brookies as they bake. Start checking for doneness a few minutes before the suggested baking time to avoid overcooking. Remember, slightly underbaked is better than overbaked for a fudgy texture.
• Overmixing can lead to tough and dense brookies. Mix the batter gently just until the ingredients are combined. This helps ensure a tender and chewy texture.
• Let the brookies cool completely in the pan before slicing and serving. This allows them to set up properly and develop their full flavor and texture. Cutting them too soon can result in them falling apart.
• When dolloping the brownie batter and cookie dough into the pan, aim for a marbled effect. This creates a visually appealing swirl pattern in your brookies.

What I Used To Make Birthday Brookies 

• Mixing Bowls: Grab a couple of mixing bowls-one for the brownie batter and another for the cookie dough.
• Whisk and Rubber Spatula: You'll need these for mixing and folding. The whisk gets things nice and smooth, while the spatula is great for gentle folding.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: These are your go-to for getting the ingredient amounts just right.
• 9x9 inch pan: This is the perfect size for your brookies. Line it with parchment paper and give it a quick spritz of cooking spray.
• Microwave-Safe Bowl: Use this to melt your butter for the recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Can I use homemade brownie batter instead of a boxed mix?

Absolutely! You can use your favorite homemade brownie recipe instead of a boxed mix. Just make sure it's a thin brownie recipe that can work in a 9x9!

Can I omit the cake batter extract?

Yes, you can omit the cake batter extract if you don't have it on hand. I have the regular brookie recipe which you can find here

Can I use regular-sized chocolate chips instead of mini chocolate chips?

Yes, you can use regular-sized chocolate chips if that's what you have available. 

Can I double the recipe?

Yes, you can double the recipe and make it in a 9x13!

Storing and Freezing 

To store your birthday brookies recipe, allow them to cool completely, then transfer them to an airtight container lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Store them at room temperature for up to three days for optimal freshness. Alternatively, you can refrigerate them for a firmer texture, but allow them to come to room temperature before serving.

Freezing 

To freeze birthday brookies, allow them to cool completely, then transfer them to a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place the baking sheet in the freezer until the brookies are frozen solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container, separating layers with parchment paper. Label the container with the date and freeze for up to three months. To thaw, simply remove the desired number of brookies from the freezer and let them come to room temperature before serving.

For more brookie recipes, here are some of my favorite

• The Best Peanut Butter Brookies
• Easiest Fall Pumpkin Brookies
• Nostalgic Fudgy Lunch Lady Brownies Recipe
• The Best Cheesecake Brownies Recipe Ever

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Recipe

Birthday Brookies

Molly Murphy

Half cookie and half brownie, but make it taste like birthday batter and add sprinkles and you have birthday cake brookies! 

5 from 3 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 16 Squares

Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

 

1x2x3x

FOR THE BROOKIES

• 1 Ghirardelli dark chocolate boxed brownie or your favorite brand plus ingredients to make it.
• ½ cup unsalted butter melted and cooled
• ¾ cups packed brown sugar
• 1 large egg room temperature
• 1 egg yolk room temperature
• 2 teaspoon cake batter extract
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• ¾ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup mini semi sweet chocolate chips
• ⅓ cup rainbow sprinkles

Instructions

 

FOR THE BROOKIES

• Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F. Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, then spray with cooking spray. Set aside.
• In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter until completely melted. It's helpful to heat it in 30-second intervals until fully melted. Set aside to cool.
• Prepare the boxed brownie mix according to the package instructions. This usually involves combining the mix with eggs, oil, and water. Mix until well combined and set aside.
• In a medium-sized bowl, combine the melted and cooled butter with the brown sugar. Aim for a smooth and creamy consistency when mixing, about 30 seconds.
• Whisk in the eggs and egg yolk, one at a time, until well combined and smooth. This ensures the mixture is well combined and smooth. Mix the cake batter extract, vanilla extract until combined.
• With a rubber spatula, fold in cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and flour into the wet ingredients. It's recommended to sift the flour, cornstarch, and baking powder together before adding them to the wet ingredients to prevent lumps and ensure even distribution. Add the chocolate chips and rainbow sprinkles, and mix until no streaks of flour remain. Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent toughness.
• Using two spoons or a cookie scoop, alternate between the brownie batter and cookie dough by dropping small balls or dollops into the prepared pan. Aim for a consistent size for the dollops, such as using a tablespoon or cookie scoop for consistency. It's okay if it doesn't look smooth on top. As it bakes, it will even out.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 50-55 minutes, depending on your oven, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs. The brookies should be set around the edges but still slightly soft in the center.
• Let the brookies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack, which can take up to 30 minutes, to allow them to set up properly.

Keyword brookies, brookie, birthday, brownie, cookie

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