Cookie Dough Frosted Brownies

Dun...dun...dun!

DUNDUN!

These brownies are epic. Insanely delicious.

Do you like cookie dough? Excuse me: are you American?

I've seen this cookie dough brownie concept floating around the blogosphere (and, ok, Pinterest too) for a while now, and I finally caved in and made them for last weekend. A crazy weekend seemed like an appropriate time for a crazy-delicious treat!

Not only did my sister Cherie graduate from her Masters program (FIIIIIIINALLY! YAY!), but it was Mother's Day, which meant a day trip back home to Caroline County, Virginia! Boyfriend was also off doing family activities, including his sister's birthday and a cycling trip from Richmond to Williamsburg (~50 miles)--you know, just for the heck of it. He's slightly crazy...but I'm proud :-)

Cherie and I spent Saturday before her graduation at the Strawberry Street Festival, noshing on some strawberry shortcake and catching up on life. She's been so busy with finishing up grad school, working an internship at the governor's office, and searching for her big girl PR job. Yeah, I said I was proud that Boyfriend was able to cycle to Williamsburg, but I'm like 50 times MORE prouder of this lady. She's phenomenally impressive to say the least.

So I brought her some brownies. And gave Boyfriend some brownies for her sister. And I didn't bring any to my mom because she's on a diet and would've hated me for it. And then STILL had enough to bring some to work on Monday. 

The brownie recipe was new to me. I tend to prefer ones that have both cocoa powder and melted chocolate in the batter, but this one had just cocoa. While not as fudgey, it was still moist (ew!) and super rich. I'd say the main difference was that it was a little bit more crumbly than what I'm used to. I'd definitely make them again!

The frosting requires little explaining. Its cookie dough, minus the eggs, which equals safe and healthy...right? Is it strange to anyone else that something unbaked, with flour in it, is so vastly addicting?

I ultimately decided to slice them into bite-sized pieces to make them more approachable. I understand people being scared of a brownie frosted with CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE DOUGH. And they have every right to be...if you don't watch out, you find yourself slightly-intoxicated at 2AM, sitting on a couch, having consumed 3 full-sized brownies and contemplating a fourth. Which, I'm hesitant to point out is, like, the equivalent of 1 stick of butter.

Oh, belly ache.

Cookie Dough Brownies

Inspired by Recipe Girl

Brownies from Buns in My Oven

Frosting from Tidy Mom

Brownies

1 cup salted butter

2 cups sugar

4 large eggs

1 1/4 cups cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoon salt 

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon expresso powder (I used Starbucks Via)

1 tablespoon vanilla

1 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9x13 pan with non-stick spray. In a small saucepan over medium heat, heat butter until just melted and add in sugar. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly (but do not let it come to a boil).

• Pour butter mixture into bowl of a standing mixer and add cocoa powder, followed by the eggs, salt, baking powder, expresso powder, and vanilla.

• When well combined, add the flour; taking care not to over-mix. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for about 25-30 minutes or until a tester comes out with a few crumbs. Allow to cool, then top with Cookie Dough Frosting (below).

Cookie Dough Frosting

1/2 cup salted butted

1/4 cup dark (or light) brown sugar

2 cups powdered sugar

1/2 cup flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2-1 tablespoon milk, if needed

• Cream together butter and brown sugar in a standing mixer for about 2-3 minutes. When creamy and fluffy, begin incorporating powdered sugar until well combined and smooth.

• Beat in flour and salt, followed by vanilla. If needed, add milk to reach desired consistency. Top cooled brownies with frosting. For best results, store brownies in fridge and remove about 15-30 minutes before eating.