Cooking Lesson #581: brookies (Brownies + Chocolate Chip Cookies)

…from the Perspectives’ Kitchen

How you doin’? They say the best things in life find you when you’re not looking for them—love, dream jobs and desserts. Hopefully this Brookie recipe finds you in a receptive mood.
 
I’m a lover of all things baked—cakes, cookies, pies, brownies and cupcakes. A brookie is everything you love about a brownie plus everything you love about a cookie… this creates a dessert you’ll love more than either a brownie or a cookie. Got it?
 
Who invented this delicious treat? Bertha Palmer, a prominent Chicago socialite whose husband owned the Palmer House Hotel asked a pastry chef for a dessert suitable for ladies attending the Chicago World's Exposition. He came up with the brownie.
 
Later on Toll House Cookies, the most popular cookie in America, was invented by Ruth Wakefield at the Toll House Inn in Whitman, Massachusetts, during the 1930’s.
 
Somewhere down the line someone wanted to throw a party and only had one 9 x 13-inch baking pan and put the two together, thus The Brookie was created.
 
Prep time:  20 minutes
Bake time:  20 minutes
Cool time:  20 minutes
Yield:  20 servings
 
Ingredients 
For the chocolate chip cookie layer
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 large egg
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
 
For the chocolate brownie layer
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1/3 cup cocoa powder, sifted
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
 
Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350⁰ F.
2. Butter or spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish.

To prepare the chocolate chip cookie layer

1. Beat the softened butter, light brown sugar, granulated sugar and vanilla extract together in a large bowl until creamy.
2. Add the egg and beat until light and creamy, about 2 minutes.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt and baking soda together.
4. Using a large wooden spoon gradually stir the flour mixture into the butter mixture until the dough is combined.
5. Stir chocolate chips into dough. Evenly spread dough into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to cover completely.

To prepare the chocolate brownie layer

1. Stir the sugar, melted butter and vanilla extract together in a bowl and mix well.
2. Add the eggs and beat well.
3. Mix the cocoa powder into the butter mixture until well-combined.
4. Stir the flour, baking powder and salt into cocoa mixture until batter is combined.
5. Pour the brownie batter over cookie dough and spread to cover completely.
6. Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of the Brookie comes out clean, about 20 to 25 minutes.
7. Cool completely before cutting into bars.

ChefSecret:  On some occasions you might choose to gild the lily by adding a third layer of frosting on top of the brownie. Here is a simple recipe for the frosting layer

• Mix together 3 tablespoons of melted margarine or white shortening (Crisco)with 1/2 cup of sifted cocoa powder
• Stir in 1/3 cup milk and gradually beat in 3-1/2 cups of sifted confectioners' sugar.
• Add more milk as necessary to make a smooth, spreadable frosting.
• Spread the frosting on top of the cooled brookie.

Quip of the Day:  “It’s my friend’s wife’s birthday tomorrow. She has been leaving hints with jewelry catalogues all over the house. He asked me what he should buy her for her 40th and I suggested a magazine rack.”
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Do you have a question or comment? Send your thoughts to ed@perspectives-la.com. All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/covid-19-survival-guide.
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To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, be positive, stay well, stay safe and be kind. Take a breath and count your blessings, and if you have a little extra to share with others, please consider donating to Feeding America and/or American Red Cross.
 
#Baking #Desserts #Brookies #Brownies #Cookies #ChocolateChips #PalmerHouse #TollHouse #Covid19 #2023 #QuarantineKitchen #Covid19 #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup  
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