Coffee and Cookie Brownies

Dave had his ukulele group's 16th anniversary party* the other day and without much notice asked if I'd make something for him to take to the potluck. He didn't care what because he said people bring so much food that no one would even notice what he brings, it all blends together. Well I took that as a personal challenge of course and had to make something that would be delicious and noticeable. I saw this online at Better Homes and Gardens - simple ingredients, something different, and what's not to like about brownies and cookies all in one?

I cut them in little bite sized pieces and put each one in a small baking cup just to jazz them up a bit. When he got back from the party the first words out of his mouth were "well those were a bit hit - they were eaten so fast I didn't even get one, and I had lots of comments about how good they were". Yep, goal achieved ;)

This is just about the easiest dessert ever - you literally spread store-bought cookie dough in a pan.  and top it with brownie batter. No excuse people to not try this one, there are barely any ingredients!

Ingredients:

• 1 tube of refrigerated sugar cookie dough (16 1/2 oz.)
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 box of milk chocolate brownie mix
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/3 cup coffee liqueur or cooled strong coffee (I used Kailua) 
• 1 cup semisweet or bittersweet chocolate pieces

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350'F. Press sugar cookie dough into the bottom of a 13x9 baking pan; set aside.
2. In a large bowl combine eggs, brownie mix, oil, and liqueur or coffee until just combined. Spread batter over sugar cookie dough. Sprinkle with chocolate pieces.
3. Bake for 25 minutes (see note below) or until edges are set. Cool in pan on a wire rack. To serve, cut into bars.

Note: the original recipe calls to bake for 40 minutes. I set my timer for 30 minutes and they were overbaked by about 5 minutes. Check them at 25, you can always bake longer if needed. I followed the recipe exactly except I sprinkled a bit of flaky sea salt over the brownie mix before baking - that little taste of salt every now and then is SO good!

makes 24 brownies. 279 cal each.

I crumbled up the tube of cookie dough and then pressed it out in  the pan. 

top with brownie mix, chocolate pieces, and salt if you want.

Dave's an original member of the "Southbay Strummers" - he's been playing uke for over 16 years? I don't care how long he's been playing and how good he is, we still have "uke-free" zones in the house!! HA!

two years ago: Easter bunny cakes