I love to bake and Dave loves to eat — so we make a pretty good pair!
However, having a very fussy newborn {who rarely ever sleeps} doesn’t allow me nearly as much time in the kitchen as I would like. So I’ve resorted to making baked goods that start with a box or a bag — saving me valuable time and still keeping our pantry and freezer stocked with plenty of sweet treats.
Even though I may not be baking everything from scratch, I almost always try to add a few special touches to make my treats look and taste less like a boxed mix.
I’ve shared several of my “from a box” recipes before, but these brownie/cookie bars are my newest {and probably easiest} recipe… if you can really even call it a recipe.
Oh, and did I mention they only require about 7 minutes of prep work before they are ready for the oven!!
Recipe for Yummy Brownie/Cookie Bars:
Ingredients:
- 1 Family size brownie mix {for a 9×13″ pan}
- eggs, oil and water called for on the brownie box
- 1 package refrigerated cookie dough — I used chocolate chip
**Obviously, you could use any brownie mix and cookie mix… and you could most certainly make your brownie and cookie mixes from scratch too 🙂
Directions:
- Preheat your oven to 350*F
- Make your favorite brownie mix according to directions on the box
- Spread in a greased 9×13″ baking pan
- Create flat round “disks” out of your favorite cookie dough and place on top of the brownie batter
- Bake at 350*F for 30-40 minutes or until the middle is set.
This “recipe” is a favorite around our house… and honestly, you’d never guess it was from a box!
What is your favorite “from a box” recipe?
Visit my virtual recipe box for more simple, delicious, family friendly, recipes!
Sarah says
Oh my! These are delicious!
I made the 8×8 version since that’s what I had, baked about 30 minutes. Almost gone in one evening. My husband was surprised to learn it was simply premade mixes.
Andrea says
yay, glad you enjoyed them 🙂
Kris says
Made this on Sunday for our family Valentine’s dinner and it was a hit! I didn’t have any mixes and just didn’t want to go out into the cold to get any so I made scratch brownies and cookies. The only thing I’d say if you are making scratch brownies is that they tend to be a thicker batter so it took longer to cook the center. When I make them again maybe I’d use a little bit bigger pan (mine was 8×8) so the brownies would be thinner and cook faster in the middle. I’m thinking maybe a full batch for a kids birthday instead of cake! Ooh, or a 1/2 batch for hubbies birthday next year. My husband said he thought they’d be awesome with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. He’s not a huge sweets eater but he loves basic brownies and chocolate chip cookies so this was perfect. Thanks!
Andrea says
yay!! Thanks for letting me know. Glad your whole family liked it.
As the post states, I made mine in a 9×13 pan… which is probably why mine cooked faster. Either way, it’s delicious every time!
Truffles Magazine says
Andrea,
These are a great idea for making such a quick batch, I am going to pass your site along to a friend of mine (she’s a stay at home mom and would really appreciate a quick recipe like this).
Also, if your looking to save $ I posted a simple way to make your own Vanilla Extract ( I know it can be real pricey to buy & use the good stuff).
http://trufflesmagazine.wordpress.com/2012/01/28/vanilla-extract/
Also, check out this yummy Brownie Pudding.
http://trufflesmagazine.wordpress.com/2012/02/08/brownie-pudding/
monica says
I’m making these bars now! I think my family will love them!
Lynn says
I wanted to tell you that I absolutely love your blog. I have called my good friend and neighbor and told her that she has to check it out! I’ve been going through as many sections of your blog and loving it all – especially your organizing and your renovations! What is really nice is that I see from some of the pictures you obviously living in Michigan. Even though I live in Missouri now, I was born and raised in Lansing, Michigan.
I will be looking forward to your site every day! Thanks for all your work. 🙂
Andrea says
Thanks so much Lynn!! And yes, we live in Michigan!
Chalyse Meiklejohn says
My favorite dessert recipe is very similar!
Prepare cookie dough as it says on the back of a package of chocolate chips. Place in the bottom of a 9×13 pan that has been lined with wax paper and sprayed with cooking spray.
Top the cookie dough with 24 oreos. Make a brownie mix as directed on the box and pour over.
Cover with foil and bake at 350 for 30 minutes; remove foil and bake 15-25 minutes longer. Here is the link!
http://www.kevinandamanda.com/whatsnew/new-recipes/ultimate-chocolate-chip-cookie-n-oreo-fudge-brownie-bar.html
Andrea says
oh my word — this sounds absolutely delicious! and we LOVE Oreos!! I’m definitely going to have to try that recipes… thanks so much for sharing!
debi says
we make that here. we have named it ” diabetes in a pan” 🙂