Description
These Cookies and Cream Brownies are a decadent treat featuring a rich brownie base, a creamy layer of sweetened cream cheese, and a delightful mix of chocolate chips and crushed Oreo cookies. Perfect for satisfying your sweet cravings, these fudgy brownies are ideal for any occasion!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or dark)
- 1 cup crushed Oreo cookies (about 10–12 cookies)
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for the cream cheese layer)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal later.
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Once melted, remove it from the heat and stir in the granulated sugar until well combined.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix!
- Fold in the chocolate chips and crushed Oreo cookies, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
- Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract to the cream cheese, mixing until well combined and fluffy.
- Pour half of the brownie batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly across the bottom.
- Dollop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture over the brownie batter. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to gently spread it out, but don’t worry about making it perfect; it will swirl together as it bakes.
- Pour the remaining brownie batter over the cream cheese layer, spreading it out to cover as much as possible. You can use a knife or a toothpick to swirl the cream cheese layer into the brownie batter for a marbled effect if you like.
- Sprinkle a few extra crushed Oreo cookies on top for added texture and visual appeal.
- Place the baking pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. Keep an eye on them; you want the edges to be set while the center remains slightly fudgy.
- To check for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the brownies. If it comes out with a few moist crumbs (not wet batter), they are ready to be taken out of the oven.
- Once baked, remove the brownies from the oven and let them cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 20-30 minutes. This cooling time is essential for the brownies to set properly.
- Using a sharp knife, cut the brownies into squares or rectangles, depending on your preference. Aim for about 24 pieces, but you can make them larger or smaller as you like.
- For an elevated presentation, consider dusting the top with a little powdered sugar or serving them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Notes
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened for easy mixing.
- You can substitute the chocolate chips with white chocolate or milk chocolate for a different flavor profile.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes