Brownie Cookie Sandwiches with Cookie Dough Buttercream Recipe
If you adore brownies and cookies separately, wait ‘til you try my Brownie Cookie Sandwiches with Cookie Dough Buttercream Recipe. Imagine biting into soft, fudgy brownie cookies sandwiching the creamiest, dreamy cookie dough buttercream you’ve ever tasted. Seriously, this dessert will rock your world — and once you try it, you’ll want to make it again and again. Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through every step to nail these perfect little treats at home.
Why This Recipe Works
- Perfect Texture Combo: The brownie cookies are fudgy yet soft, creating the ideal base for sandwiching luscious buttercream.
- Heat-Treated Flour: Ensuring safe cookie dough buttercream without sacrificing that raw dough flavor.
- Balanced Sweetness: Brown sugar and bittersweet chocolate create depth without overwhelming the palate.
- Simple Techniques: No complicated steps — just straightforward methods to help you succeed every time.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This recipe blends ingredients that harmonize beautifully together. The combination of all-purpose and bread flour in the brownie cookies contributes to an ideal chew, while the cocoa powder provides rich chocolate depth. The cookie dough buttercream uses heat-treated flour to capture that nostalgic raw dough taste safely, and brown sugar adds extra richness and moisture to the frosting.
- Unsalted Butter: Use good quality butter for both cookies and buttercream; it amps up flavor and texture.
- Bittersweet Chocolate Chips: This brings a perfect balance of sweetness and complexity; feel free to use chopped chocolate for a more rustic feel.
- Granulated and Light Brown Sugar: Brown sugar’s molasses content adds moisture and chewiness, while granulated sugar ensures crisp edges on the cookies.
- Eggs: Make sure they’re at room temperature to emulsify better, resulting in a smoother batter.
- Vanilla Extract: Don’t skimp here; vanilla enhances all the other flavors beautifully.
- All-Purpose Flour & Bread Flour: Bread flour adds extra chew to the brownie cookie, so if you skip it, just add a bit more all-purpose flour.
- Dutch Process Cocoa Powder: This cocoa develops a deep, mellow chocolate flavor without the bitterness.
- Baking Powder, Baking Soda, and Salt: The right leavening and seasoning are crucial for that perfect rise and flavor balance.
- Confectioners Sugar: For the smoothest, fluffiest buttercream texture.
- All-Purpose Flour (for buttercream): Heat-treated to safely recreate that cookie dough taste without any raw flour worries.
- Heavy Cream: Added gradually for luscious texture without thinning the buttercream too much.
- Brown Sugar (for buttercream): Gives the buttercream a lovely caramel note and subtle chewiness.
Tweak to Your Taste
One of my favorite things about this Brownie Cookie Sandwiches with Cookie Dough Buttercream Recipe is how flexible it is — you can totally make it your own! Over the years, I’ve played around with flavor add-ins and adjustments to suit personal preferences or dietary needs.
- Chocolate Variations: Sometimes I swap bittersweet chocolate for milk chocolate chips for a sweeter, creamier cookie; the texture changes slightly but still delish.
- Nut Allergies: I like to toast and finely chop nuts in the buttercream on occasion, but if you’re nut-allergic, just skip them — it’s still incredible as is.
- Salted Butter Option: Using salted butter in the buttercream ups the contrast between sweet and salty, which I love; just reduce extra salt slightly.
- Gluten-Free Twist: I’ve substituted gluten-free flour blends in the buttercream with success, but be mindful it might alter texture a teeny bit.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Brownie Cookie Sandwiches with Cookie Dough Buttercream Recipe
Step 1: Heat Treat Your Flour for Safety
This step is key if you want that raw cookie dough flavor in your buttercream without any health worries. Spread your flour out evenly on a baking sheet and bake at 300°F. Keep a close eye and stir every couple of minutes to avoid flour burning. I usually use a kitchen thermometer and pull it once it hits 165°F. Then, let it cool completely before moving on. Trust me, this extra step is worth it!
Step 2: Make the Brownie Cookies
Melt your butter and bittersweet chocolate over a double boiler—this takes just minutes, so don’t wander off. Once smooth, let it cool slightly so you don’t scramble the eggs when mixing. While that cools, whisk together your flours, cocoa powder, baking powder, soda, and salt in a bowl. Then, in your mixer, combine the chocolate mixture with eggs, sugars, and vanilla until blended. Add your dry ingredients slowly and mix until just combined — don’t overdo it or your cookies might turn cakey.
Cover the dough and chill for 30 minutes. I promise this small patience yields cookies with better structure and fudgier centers.
Step 3: Bake and Shape Those Cookies
Preheat to 350°F and line your pans with parchment. Use a small cookie scoop or kitchen scale for uniform cookies. I find that weighing dough balls around 0.07–0.08 ounces gives me perfectly sized sandwich cookies. Space them a couple inches apart because they spread a touch.
Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges set but centers still puff and crack slightly — this means fudgy perfection. Here’s a tip: While still warm, I like to gently nudge the edges of each cookie inward using the back of a fork or swirl a round cutter around them to get neat round sandwiches. Let them cool on the sheet before moving to a rack to cool completely.
Step 4: Make the Cookie Dough Buttercream
Cream your softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy — patience here really pays off for that silky texture. Gradually add in your sifted confectioners sugar and heat-treated flour, beating on low for smooth incorporation. Then crank the mixer to medium for a minute to get that fluffy body. Add vanilla, salt, and finally your heavy cream, spooning it in one tablespoon at a time until you hit that perfect pipe-able but sturdy consistency.
Step 5: Assemble Your Brownie Cookie Sandwiches with Cookie Dough Buttercream Recipe
Pipe or spread a generous swirl of the buttercream on the flat underside of one cookie, then gently press another cookie on top to create a sandwich. If you want that extra special touch, sprinkle with flaky sea salt for a delicious salty-sweet boost. Then, refrigerate the sandwiches for a bit if you want the buttercream to firm up, or serve at room temperature and enjoy those melty, dreamy bites.
Pro Tips for Making Brownie Cookie Sandwiches with Cookie Dough Buttercream Recipe
- Don’t Skip the Chill: Chilling the dough helps control spreading and improves chewiness — trust me, it’s a game changer.
- Uniform Cookie Size: Using a kitchen scale may seem tedious, but your sandwiches will look professionally made with consistent sizes.
- Pipe the Buttercream: Piping instead of spooning creates gorgeous swirl patterns and prevents overfilling.
- Heat Treat Flour Properly: Overheating can brown the flour and change flavor, so watch closely and stir often every 2 minutes.
How to Serve Brownie Cookie Sandwiches with Cookie Dough Buttercream Recipe
Garnishes
I adore adding just a pinch of flaky sea salt on top — it makes all the richness pop and adds a delightful crunch. Sometimes I sprinkle tiny chocolate chips or edible glitter on the buttercream for festive occasions, which my family always cheers for.
Side Dishes
These sandwiches pair wonderfully with a chilled glass of milk or a robust espresso to cut through the sweetness. For parties, I like to include simple fruit platters with berries and sliced apples — their freshness balances richness perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
I’ve found assembling these sandwiches on rustic wooden boards with a scattering of edible flowers creates an irresistible display for gatherings. Layered in pretty boxes wrapped with twine, they also make charming homemade gifts that are sure to wow.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover brownie cookie sandwiches in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. They maintain their texture and flavor beautifully, but if you want that just-baked softness, let them sit at room temp for 30 minutes before eating.
Freezing
Freeze the cookies a bit first on a baking sheet uncovered, then wrap each sandwich tightly in plastic wrap and stash in a freezer bag. They freeze well for up to 2 months — perfect for prepping ahead for celebrations or cravings.
Reheating
To reheat after freezing, I gently unwrap and microwave each sandwich for about 10-15 seconds. This refreshes the fudgy cookie and softens the buttercream just right without melting it completely.
FAQs
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Can I use regular flour instead of bread flour for the brownie cookies?
Yes! Bread flour adds chew because of its higher protein content, but you can substitute all-purpose flour if that’s what you have. Expect a slightly more tender cookie, but the flavor will still be fantastic.
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Why do I need to heat treat the flour for the buttercream?
Raw flour can contain bacteria that aren’t safe to eat. Heat treating the flour kills any harmful germs while keeping that true cookie dough taste intact, making the buttercream safe and tasty.
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How long can I store these brownie cookie sandwiches?
They keep well for about 3 days refrigerated. You can also freeze them for up to two months for longer storage; just follow the freezing instructions for best results.
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Can I make these dairy-free or vegan?
This recipe relies on butter and eggs for texture and richness, so I haven’t tried a full dairy-free or vegan version yet. However, you could experiment with plant-based butters and egg replacements, but it might alter texture and flavor significantly.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, this Brownie Cookie Sandwiches with Cookie Dough Buttercream Recipe is one of those baked goods I keep coming back to when I want to wow family or friends. The combination of soft brownie cookies with that luscious, safe-to-eat cookie dough buttercream is just magic on a plate. I’m confident you’ll love making and sharing these as much as I do — they’re the perfect treat to brighten any day or special occasion. So go on, bake a batch, and prepare yourself for some satisfied smiles!
Print
Brownie Cookie Sandwiches with Cookie Dough Buttercream Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 18 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious Brownie Cookie Sandwiches filled with a rich and creamy Cookie Dough Buttercream. These cookies combine the fudgy texture of brownies with the classic flavor of cookie dough frosting, making a perfect treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
For Brownie Cookies
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 9 ounces bittersweet chocolate chips (or chopped chocolate)
- 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup all purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 3/4 cup bread flour, spooned and leveled (substitute with more all-purpose if not available)
- 1/4 cup Dutch process cocoa powder, sifted
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
For Cookie Dough Buttercream
- 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 1/2 cups confectioners sugar, sifted
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (heat treated)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3-4 tablespoons heavy cream
Instructions
- Heat Treat Flour: Spread the flour for the buttercream onto a clean, dry baking sheet. Bake at 300°F for 5-8 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes and rotating the pan. Continue until the flour reaches 165°F. Remove and let cool completely.
- Melt Chocolate and Butter: Place chocolate and butter in a bowl over a double boiler on medium heat. Stir often until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Mix Dry Ingredients for Cookies: In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, bread flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In the stand mixer bowl with whisk attachment, add the melted chocolate mixture. Add eggs, brown sugar, and granulated sugar; mix on medium-low speed until well combined. Stir in vanilla.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry mixture into the wet mixture. Mix until fully incorporated, taking care not to overmix.
- Chill Dough: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill the dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Scoop Cookies: Using a small cookie scoop or kitchen scale, portion dough balls weighing about 0.08 ounces each. Place them 2 inches apart on the prepared sheets.
- Bake Cookies: Bake for 10 minutes or until the edges are set and centers puff and crack slightly. Avoid overbaking.
- Shape Cookies: While warm, use the inside arch of a fork or a round cookie cutter to nudge cookie edges inward to form uniform rounds. Cool on the baking sheet for 8-10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make Cookie Dough Buttercream: In a stand mixer with paddle attachment, cream softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. In a small bowl, whisk confectioners sugar and heat-treated flour together. Add to butter mixture 1/2 cup at a time on low speed. After all is incorporated, increase speed to medium and beat for one minute.
- Add Flavor and Adjust Consistency: Mix in vanilla and salt. Add heavy cream one tablespoon at a time until buttercream is smooth, fluffy, and pipeable but firm.
- Assemble Sandwiches: Pipe a swirl of cookie dough buttercream onto the flat side of one cookie. Top with a second cookie, flat side down, and gently press together. Optionally, sprinkle with flaky sea salt.
- Set and Serve: Refrigerate sandwiches to set if needed. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
- Heat treat the flour ahead of time and allow it to cool completely to ensure safety from raw flour bacteria.
- Store cookies in a tightly covered container in a cool, dry place for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
- Cookies may be frozen: freeze on a baking sheet uncovered until firm (about 1 hour), then wrap sandwiches in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months.
- Use a kitchen scale for accurate cookie dough portioning to ensure uniform cookie sizes.
- If bread flour is unavailable, substitute with additional all-purpose flour at equal measure.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg