How’s everyone’s week starting? I’m gearing up for Valentine’s Day over here. As much as I couldn’t care less about Valentine’s Day, I do admit that I love the associated desserts. Tons of candy, red velvet, and overall decadence. And being a chocolate girl? Well, it goes without saying. I have been known to scope out CVS the day after Valentine’s for those large chocolate heart-shaped chocolate boxes at 75% off.
(It’s a great idea. Just saying.)
So lo and behold, the next few recipes on the blog will be ridiculously decadent and undoubtably either chocolate or red. Or in this case, both.
I’m pleased to debut: Red Velvet Brookies. They’re a combination between a brownie and a cookie and they taste darn delicious. They hold the shape of a cookie, but the inside is the texture of a brownie. The trick is to take these babies out really early. Like, one minute too long and the brownie texture may get lost. But oh man are they worth it.
And look how Valentine’s-y they are! Cupid would be proud. That is, if Cupid were a baker and had a knack for brookies.
Tips for making red velvet brookies
Really beat the butter and sugar — I know the whole point of these brookies is that they’re supposed to be dense and fudgy. But even so, you should take the time to beat the butter and sugar for a solid 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. Just trust me on this one, it’s important.
Chill before baking — After you form the MASSIVE brookies, plop them onto a baking sheet and chill them for a few hours. Chilling the dough prevents these brookies from cooking too fast and keeps the outside crisp and the inside dense.
Don’t over bake the brookies — When in doubt, pull the brookies out of the oven a little early. These babies will continue cooking on the baking sheet as they come to room temperature, so it’s better to pull them out a little early than over bake them. If you over bake these, they’ll lose their brownie-like texture!
Did you know that Alex’s and my anniversary is in two days? Instead of going out on Valentine’s Day, we pick a place to go to an amazing dinner the week beforehand. No crowded restaurants, no tacky Valentine’s decorations, and no swarms of two-tops holding hands and whispering I-Love-You’s.Because in a way, we have our own Valentine’s Day on our anniversary. It’s a twofer and I love it.
What will we do on Valentine’s Day, you ask? Probably get take-out and eat it on the couch while watching Archer or Justified. And I love that just the same 🙂
2 1/2cups all purpose flour (I used King Arthur Unbleached AP Flour)
3/4cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1cup packed light brown sugar
1/2cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
4 tablespoons red food coloring
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2cups white chocolate chips (I used Ghirardelli)
Instructions
Line a large baking sheet with a silicon mat or parchment paper. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, cocoa, baking soda, powder, and salt. Set aside.
In a standing mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugars for 1-2 minutes, or until the sugar dissolves into the butter. Lower the speed to medium-low, and mix in the eggs, red food coloring, and vanilla. Gradually add in the flour mixture, beating until a little flour remains. Fold in the white chocolate chips with a rubber spatula.
Divide the dough into 12 even pieces. Shape the dough roughly into a ball, but do not roll it. Place on the prepared baking sheet, spacing 2 inches apart. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours but up to 12 hours before baking.
Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake cookies for 17 minutes, until the brookies are soft to the touch*. When in doubt, take your brookies out early, as they will continue to cook as they cool. I can’t stress this enough! Cool on a wire rack, then serve!
Notes
*When you pull them out of the oven, the brookies should have an outside that’s slightly crisped, but a middle that is still slightly wet and doughy
Oh no! They probably won’t spread as much or be as sweet, but might as well bake them off and see how it goes! You could always ice them or dust them powdered sugar for a little extra sweetness!
If these are a gift for someone for Vday what would the best storage/ container be? To be laid flat or can I stack them? And should I refrigerate over night to gift them or keep room temp
I made these for Christmas last year and was getting my cookie list ready for this year. These are, by far, the most requested and most talked about cookies (or brookies) in the last year. I have to admit I cant eat sugar so I honestly don’t know what they taste like (sorry) but I have never baked anything that has garnered so much attention for a whole year. These must be amazing and even better that I could cook them exactly like the directions state (without taste testing) and still being most loved cookie. No one even remembers what other cookies I made last year, and well, no one seems to care, as long as I make the Brookies. Thanks for such an AMAZING recipe!!
Leave a comment and rate this recipe!
So I just made these and the dough is in the fridge and Just realized I forgot brown sugar. Will they still be the same or should I start over?
Oh no! They probably won’t spread as much or be as sweet, but might as well bake them off and see how it goes! You could always ice them or dust them powdered sugar for a little extra sweetness!
If I froze the dough and would like to bake it now what steps should I take? Thaw for a little or straight into oven for 17 min?
★★★★★
If these are a gift for someone for Vday what would the best storage/ container be? To be laid flat or can I stack them? And should I refrigerate over night to gift them or keep room temp
Hi Camila! Either would work! I would refrigerate them over night jsut to keep them as fresh as possible!
Are you able to freeze the dough?
Yes! Scoop them into cookie dough balls and place in a freezer safe plastic bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months!
I made these for Christmas last year and was getting my cookie list ready for this year. These are, by far, the most requested and most talked about cookies (or brookies) in the last year. I have to admit I cant eat sugar so I honestly don’t know what they taste like (sorry) but I have never baked anything that has garnered so much attention for a whole year. These must be amazing and even better that I could cook them exactly like the directions state (without taste testing) and still being most loved cookie. No one even remembers what other cookies I made last year, and well, no one seems to care, as long as I make the Brookies. Thanks for such an AMAZING recipe!!
★★★★★