Brownie Cookie Bars start with a fudgy brownie base, creamy caramel, chocolate chips, and an oatmeal cookie crumble. Rich, indulgent, and fun!
authorโs note
Warning: These Bars Disappear Fast!
Brownies, cookies, caramel, and chocolateโwhat more could you want in a dessert? I took two of my favorites: brownies and carmelitas, and combined them into one gooey, fudgy, chewy, brookie inspired bar.
These bars are rich, caramelly, and seriously the ultimate treat.
Even with four layers, theyโre surprisingly simple to make. A brownie mix forms the base, chocolate chips add a rich chocolate layer, and packaged caramels keep things easy. The oatmeal cookie topping is made from scratch but comes together fast!
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Notes & Tips |
|---|---|
| Brownie Mix | Use a high quality mix and include the ingredients listed on the box. |
| Soft Caramels & Heavy Cream | Stir constantly while melting so the caramel does not burn. |
| Milk Chocolate Chips | Sprinkle on right after the brownies come out of the oven. |
| Unsalted Butter | Let cool slightly before mixing to avoid greasy or separated dough. |
| Flour & Oats | Use old fashioned oats for the best texture. |
| Brown Sugar | Firmly pack it into the measuring cup. |
| Baking Soda & Salt | Whisk into the dry ingredients first for even mixing. |
| Vanilla Extract | Use pure vanilla for the best flavor. |
Featured Comment
โAbsolute decadence!!! I made these bars today and shared with my neighbors EVERYONE loved them.โ
โ Sandra
Cookie Brownie Bar Tips
- Line a 9ร13-inch pan with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to keep the caramel from sticking.
- Slightly underbake the brownies. Theyโll finish baking with the topping, keeping them soft and fudgy.
- Lightly press the oatmeal topping. Donโt pack it down too much, or it will be too dense instead of crisp.
- Let the butter cool before mixing the oatmeal toppingโhot butter makes it oily.
- Use heavy cream for the caramel layer; milk or half-and-half wonโt thicken right.
Storage
- Store: Keep brownie cookie bars in a sealed container at room temp for 3 days or in the fridge for a week.
- Freeze: Wrap each bar, place in a freezer bag, and freeze for up to 3 months. Let thaw or microwave for a few seconds before eating.
More Delicious Desserts:
Cookie Brownie Bars
Equipment
- Sheet pan (15" x 10") 9 x 13-inch
Ingredients
- 1 (16.3-ounce) package fudge brownie mix plus ingredients called for; see note 1
- 1 (10.8-ounce) bag soft caramels unwrapped, see note 2
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 (11.5-ounce) package milk chocolate chips 2 cups
- 7 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup flour
- 3/4 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup brown sugar firmly packed
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructionsย
- Line a 9ร13-inch pan with parchment paper (not foil). Lightly grease with cooking spray and set aside. Preheat oven to 350ยฐF.
- In a large bowl, prepare brownies according to package instructions. Bake for 21 minutes at 350ยฐF. They wonโt be fully cooked through at this point; donโt worryโtheyโll go back in the oven soon!
- While brownies are baking, combine unwrapped caramels and heavy cream in a medium pot over medium-low heat. Gently stir until melted and smooth, about 5โ8 minutes. Once smooth, remove from heat and set aside.
- As soon as the brownies are out of the oven, sprinkle chocolate chips on top. Immediately pour and gently spread caramel layer on top.
- Melt butter and allow to cool back to room temperature. Adding hot butter to this mixture will make it all greasy! In another large bowl, combine flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt. Once butter has cooled, add it to the mixture. Mix with a wooden spoon or a hand mixer until you have a thick, crumbly oatmeal mixture.
- Crumble cookie mixture evenly over melted caramel and bake for another 13โ16 minutes or until golden brown on top.
- Remove from oven and allow bars to cool and set up for at least 1 hour before cutting.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Brownie Cookie Bars FAQs
Yes! Choose a recipe that fits a 9ร13-inch pan and yields a thick, fudgy crumb.
Chill for 30 minutes, then cut with a hot knife, wiping between cuts.
Reduce brownie mix water by 2 Tbsp and add 1 Tbsp extra flour to the crumble; bake 3-5 minutes longer.
Very tasty. It was obnoxious to unwrap all the caramels. If I were to make again, it would be easier to make the caramel from scratch
So thrilled this was a hit! Thanks Anna!
Can these bars be frozen and if so,
For how long?
Yes! To freeze, wrap the bars tightly in plastic wrap, place them in an airtight container or freezer bag, and freeze for up to 3 months.
Absolute decadence!!! I made these bars today and shared with my neighbors EVERYONE loved them. I cut them on the smaller side so they wouldnโt be overwhelmed ๐ great recipe. Thank you
Yay! So happy these bars were a hit! Thank you for the comment ๐