I pondered for some time about what I should post as my first food post now that I’m back in Minnesota. Should it be Minnesota-esqe? A tearful homage to my beloved California? Something completely unrelated? I had ideas. Lots of ideas. But ambition? Well, that’s another story! Ultimately, I went completely unrelated to where I live and just good food. Also food I could share with co-workers to prevent me from noshing on the whole pan, because self-control ain’t my strength.
Just want the recipe? Cool. Here you go: Jump to Recipe.
Brookings, aka brownies and cookies, are quite genius when you think about it. I’m not sure who came up with the clever idea or if it was one of those weird, happy accidents but regardless, I’d like to hug them. I love brownies and don’t mind making them. I love cookies but I do mind making them. They take more time and see the aforementioned ambition. Or lack thereof.
Bars = One Pan
Cookies = Multiple pans and a need to pay attention.
Bars win hands down. Unless someone else is making them, then both are winners! Thus, my discovery of brookies was both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because one pan but a real curse to my hips. Thighs. And belly.
But so worth it. Mostly.

Yes, worth it. Worth it 100%.
What I truly love about this particular version is the cookie is a monster cookie. I adore monster cookies with their peanut butter and both M&Ms and chocolate chips. And with the little bit of oatmeal mixed into the batter, you can also pretend they’re healthy. Ish. I meant healthyish. And all-around delicious.
My co-workers devoured them and my family enjoyed them too, which made me a happy baker. And yes, I loved them too, particularly the fact that I only ate 2 (okay, fine. 3) versus the whole pan.
These bars are quite decadent so you can cut them relatively small too, which is nice when you’re serving a crowd. They also whip up fast since this version uses a brownie mix as the base versus a from-scratch base. You could, of course, make a from-scratch version if that’s your preference. You do you!
Enjoy!
Tanya
Mmmm… sounds yummy, Tanya! I will have to try these!
Yes, please do! They are excellent and I am confident the kiddos will love them. 😀
I’m not a huge fan of brownies – but these???? YESSSSS…
it’d be a battle between me & the Hubs on who could eat them the fastest!
I’d place money on you, Rebecca Jo. Your husband is soft on you. 😀
These look amazing!
( I found your blog through Rebecca Jo’s blog)
Thanks! Love Rebecca Jo and happy to meet one of her blogging buddies. I’ll have to check out your blog!
Oh yum yum yum!!! I don’t love peanut butter but the brownie + cookie combo is making my mouth water!! I’m afraid I’d eat the whole pan… lol!
Whaaaat! You’re not a PB fan? Oh man. This changes how I feel about you. I mean I still love and adore you but … okay, it really doesn’t change how I feel about you. 😀 I worried that I’d eat the whole pan too, so it was nice to be able to bring it to work and let my co-workers devour it so I wouldn’t!
Oh my stars, I’m gonna need these!!! And of course they’re healthy… they have oats in them!
Exactly! The oats make them super duper healthy and I will argue all day (while eating one) about that fact!
Yum! These look so good 🙂
Thanks, Mackenzie!
NOM! Totally making these. And I appreciate the “special note” and using a brownie mix as opposed from scratch 🙂
I don’t mind doing completely homemade recipes but I also don’t mind a little “help”. 😀 Plus, that little help made this super simple to make, which I appreciated as I endlessly peeked in the oven while these were baking. LOL!