Cookie Dough Frosted Brownies

Fudgy chocolate brownie bars with a thick layer of cookie dough frosting full of dairy milk oreo chunks for an added crunch

I bring baked goods. 

Frikin delicious baked goods if I'm being modest about this. Wait, that wasn't modest but hey at least I'm being truthful. 

This is what happens when you don't know what to bake and have a craving for various sweets. Brownies and cookies are easily winners on their own and will normally be sold first at any bake sale, plus a majority of people will accept either or with open arms. 

So the problem was that I was going for a movie night round my friend's and I casually bought up in conversation to another friend who was going and said I might bake something- because movies and baked things are always a good combination (plus I would have felt guilty turning up empty handed). The word of baked goods spread. Before I knew it, the host had found out and was pretty excited about the concept which meant I couldn't really back out now. I needed to come up with something yummy and sweet because he basically would have shunned me if I turned up at the door with some vegan muffins...I guess I had to finally whip out the butter and milk (from a real cow)*  ⇠⇠ all cows are real btw- I was referring to almond milk not being from a cow, wow I'm not making sense... maybe I should stop writing here.

There I was, frantically searching through my thousands of favourites on food gawker punching in words from desserts, sweets, brownies, cookies, muffins, cakes and then came across- the humble cookie dough brownie. Why did I not think about that or make them before? The perfect sugary and indulgent accompaniment to Kingsmen (which is a really good film too and I recommend watching it!). 

I have the blog Bakerita to thank for the recipe, It was a well proportioned recipe which helped since I had minimal butter and plain flour in my cupboards ironically. Not too much butter needed in the brownies and cookie dough so it luckily meant I could bake these, although I did have to resort to gluten free flour in the cookie dough but by no means did it compromise on the taste! and bonus my friend has a weird obsession with gluten free things, even though he is not and has no interest in gluten free living or healthier alternatives. 

About the brownies, yes they are amazing and I want to bake them again. I have to admit I did not follow the exact method as the recipe since I frosted each brownies individually instead of layering the cookie dough all over and popping it into the fridge. Though I tell you what! Delicately frosting each one is strangely therapeutic but if you are impatient (which is actually what I'm like) or in a hurry you can follow the other method ^^

So go forth! If you are having a movie night, baking craze or just a really crappy day then just make these- they will make it better. Also leftover cookie dough can be eaten straight with a spoon since there is no egg (yes I did that and twas goooood).

Brownie batter yes please. So rich and chocolatey...

You can of course use plain chocolate but I had Dairy milk oreo in my cupboards and thought this was totally step up my cookie dough game, especially when chopped into big chunks.

COOKIE DOUGH FROSTED BROWNIES

INGREDIENTS

For the brownies:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (115g), melted
• 3/4 cup caster sugar
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 cup plain flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp cracked sea salt 

For the cookie dough:

• 4 tbsp butter, softened
• 4 tbsp brown sugar
• 4 tbsp caster sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 tbsp milk
• 1 cup plain flour ( I used Gluten Free plain flour mix)
• 1/2 cup chopped chocolate (I used Cadbury Dairy Milk Oreo)

INSTRUCTIONS

For the Brownies:

1. Preheat the oven to 180 C. Grease and line a baking pan (I used two small rectangular pans).

2. Combine the melted butter, sugars and vanilla in a large bowl and beat with a whisk. Add in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each one is added. Mix until well blended.

3. In another bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder and salt. Slowly add the flour to the egg mixture little by little and mix until incorporated. 

4. Spread the batter evenly into the baking dish and bake for about 30 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean (but if you like your brownies more gooey, then take out of the oven earlier). Allow to cool and remove from the pan. When cool cut them into squares (I cut mine into bars due to the shape of the pan).

For the Cookie Dough Frosting:

1. In a medium bowl, mix together the brown sugar, caster sugar and butter until smooth. Add the milk and vanilla extract.

2. Mix the flour until well blended and stir in the chopped chocolate.

3. After the brownies are cut, slather each brownie with the cookie dough using a spoon or knife. Apply a thick or thin layer- preferably thick ;) 

4. EAT.