For years, my macaron brownie cookies have been a sensation among my friends and family, always eliciting requests for the recipe. However, I realized that not everyone has a stash of “failed” macarons (or the time to make them from scratch!) just for cookies. So, I embarked on a mission to recreate that same magical taste and texture – without the macaron step. The result? These absolutely phenomenal fudgy brownie cookies, which deliver all the decadence with none of the extra fuss. They are truly a game-changer for any chocolate enthusiast!

Why These Fudgy Brownie Cookies Will Become Your New Favorite

These aren’t just any chocolate cookies; they’re an experience for your taste buds. Crafted for the true chocolate aficionado, these brownie cookies strike the perfect balance between indulgence and simplicity.

• Unforgettable Texture: Experience the best of both worlds with a delightful crunch from their signature crackled tops, leading into an unbelievably soft, moist, and fudgy center. The edges offer a slight crispness, complementing the gooey interior beautifully.
• Deep, Rich Chocolate Flavor: Prepare for an intense burst of chocolate that is profoundly satisfying but never overwhelmingly sweet. If you appreciate desserts that highlight the true essence of chocolate without being cloying, this recipe is tailor-made for you.
• Effortless Preparation: Don’t let their gourmet appearance fool you; these cookies are incredibly easy to make. With just about 15 minutes of active prep time for the dough, you can have a batch of these extraordinary treats baking in no time. Plus, there’s no tedious dough chilling required, meaning instant gratification!
• Perfect for Any Occasion: From casual family desserts to impressive party favors, these brownie cookies are always a hit. They’re a wonderful choice for potlucks, holiday cookie exchanges, or a thoughtful homemade gift for teachers and neighbors. Their transportability and universal appeal make them a go-to for any event.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Brownie Cookies

The secret to truly spectacular brownie cookies lies in the quality and careful preparation of each ingredient. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why:

• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: These are the backbone of our cookies. Using melted chocolate chips ensures an incredibly rich, deep chocolate flavor and contributes significantly to the fudgy, dense texture that defines these cookies. High-quality chips will make a noticeable difference in the final product.
• Unsalted Butter: Butter provides richness and moisture. Using unsalted butter gives you precise control over the salt content in the recipe. If you only have salted butter on hand, remember to omit the ¼ teaspoon of added salt to avoid over-salting your cookies.
• Almond Flour: This is a key ingredient for replicating the unique chewiness and slightly delicate texture reminiscent of the original macaron brownie cookies. It adds a subtle nutty depth and helps achieve that desirable fudgy consistency without making the cookies too dense.
• All-Purpose Flour: The primary structural component of our cookies. For the most accurate and consistent results, we highly recommend weighing your flour with a kitchen scale. If a scale isn’t available, use the “spoon and level” method: gently spoon flour into your measuring cup until it overflows, then level it off with the flat edge of a butter knife. This prevents overpacking the flour, which can lead to dry, cakey cookies.
• Cocoa Powder: Essential for amplifying the chocolate flavor. You can use either Dutch-processed or natural cocoa powder. Dutch-processed cocoa powder, being less acidic, typically results in a darker, richer color and a smoother, mellower chocolate taste. Natural cocoa powder will yield a slightly lighter color and a fruitier, more intense chocolate note. Both work beautifully, so choose based on your preference!
• Instant Espresso Powder (Optional but Recommended): Don’t skip this! While you won’t taste coffee in the final product, a touch of instant espresso powder magically enhances and deepens the chocolate flavor, making it more pronounced and complex. It’s a secret weapon for any chocolate dessert.
• Granulated Sugar: Crucial for sweetness, moisture, and creating those beautiful crackled tops. While some prefer less sweet treats, we’ve carefully balanced the sugar content in this recipe to ensure it’s not overly sweet but provides the perfect counterpoint to the intense chocolate. We do not recommend reducing the sugar amount for optimal texture and flavor.
• Large Eggs: The unsung heroes for texture! Whipped eggs are absolutely vital for achieving that signature chewy texture and the gorgeous, crackly tops. They incorporate air into the dough, leading to a lighter yet still fudgy cookie with a delightful chew. Ensure they are at room temperature for the best whipping results.
• Baking Powder & Coarse Kosher Salt: Baking powder provides a little lift, contributing to the cookie’s texture. Coarse kosher salt balances the sweetness and brings out the full depth of the chocolate flavor. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top before baking can also add a wonderful sweet and salty contrast.

Step-by-Step Guide to Baking Perfect Brownie Cookies

Creating these sensational cookies is a straightforward process. Follow these simple steps for a batch of utterly divine chocolate treats:

Preparation is Key:

Before you begin mixing, preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This prevents sticking and ensures easy cleanup, allowing your cookies to bake evenly.

1. Melt Chocolate and Butter: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine your semi-sweet chocolate chips and unsalted butter. Microwave at 50% power for 1 minute, then stir well. Continue microwaving in 30-second intervals, stirring vigorously after each, until the mixture is smooth and fully melted. If any small chunks remain, a final 15-second burst should do the trick. Allow this luscious chocolate mixture to cool slightly while you prepare the other ingredients.



2. Whisk Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the almond flour, all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, instant espresso powder (if using), baking powder, and coarse kosher salt. Ensure these ingredients are thoroughly combined to distribute leavening and flavor evenly throughout the dough.



3. Beat Eggs and Sugar: In a separate large mixing bowl (preferably using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or an electric hand mixer), beat the room temperature eggs and granulated sugar together on medium-high speed. Continue beating for a full 2 minutes until the mixture transforms into a light, fluffy, and pale yellow consistency. This step is crucial for the cookies’ chewy texture and characteristic crackly tops.
4. Incorporate Chocolate Mixture: Gently pour the slightly cooled melted chocolate and butter mixture into the whipped egg and sugar mixture. Continue to whip on medium-high speed for about 1 minute until all ingredients are thoroughly combined and the batter is glossy.



Baker’s Tip: Mixing Tools

A stand mixer with a paddle attachment is ideal for whipping the eggs and combining the batter effortlessly. However, a good quality electric hand mixer will also yield excellent results!

5. Fold in Dry Ingredients: Reduce your mixer speed to low and gradually add the whisked dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix just until everything is incorporated and no streaks of flour remain. Be careful not to overmix the dough, as overworking can develop gluten, leading to tougher cookies.



6. Scoop and Bake: Using a medium cookie scoop (approximately 1.5 inches), drop uniform balls of dough onto your prepared baking sheets, ensuring about 2 inches of space between each cookie to allow for spreading. For an extra touch of gourmet flair, sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt on top of each dough ball before baking for a delightful sweet and salty finish.
7. Bake to Perfection: Bake one sheet pan at a time in your preheated oven for 8-10 minutes. The cookies are done when their edges appear set but their centers still look slightly soft and gooey. Crucially, avoid overbaking, as this will result in dry, cakey cookies instead of the desired fudgy texture. Remember, they will continue to set as they cool.



Pro Tip: Uniform Cookies

A medium cookie scoop (1.5-inch diameter) is your best friend for achieving perfectly uniform cookies that bake evenly and look professional. This small investment makes a big difference!

8. Cool and Enjoy: Allow the baked cookies to cool on the baking sheets for at least 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling period on the hot sheet helps them firm up without falling apart. As they cool, those beautiful crackled tops will fully develop.

Mastering Your Brownie Cookies: Expert Tips

Achieving bakery-quality brownie cookies at home is entirely possible with a few key techniques. Keep these expert tips in mind for consistently perfect results:

• Whip Those Eggs Thoroughly! This cannot be stressed enough: beating the eggs and sugar for the full 2 minutes until light, fluffy, and pale yellow is paramount. This aeration is what gives these cookies their signature chewy texture, beautiful thickness, and those desirable crackled tops. Skimp on this step, and your cookies will likely turn out flat and dense.
• Handle Chocolate with Care: When melting the chocolate and butter, use low power and stir frequently. Chocolate can seize or burn easily if overheated. Aim for about 80% melted, then rely on residual heat and vigorous stirring to achieve a completely smooth mixture.
• Invest in Quality Chocolate: Since chocolate is the undisputed star of these cookies, using a high-quality semi-sweet chocolate chip (like Ghirardelli or another premium brand) will significantly elevate the flavor profile. The better the chocolate, the more decadent your cookies will taste.
• Embrace the Cookie Scoop: A cookie scoop isn’t just for aesthetics; it ensures uniform size and thickness, leading to even baking for every single cookie. This consistency is key for a successful batch. I use my cookie scoops daily for many baking and cooking tasks!
• Don’t Overbake: Brownie cookies continue to set as they cool. When you pull them from the oven, they should still look slightly underdone and soft in the center. The edges will be set, but the middle will appear a bit gooey. This is exactly what you want for that ultimate fudgy texture and for the crackled tops to form as they cool.
• Patience is a Virtue (Especially When Cooling): Resist the urge to transfer hot cookies immediately from the baking sheet. They are fragile when warm and will easily fall apart. Let them rest on the baking sheet for at least 5 minutes to firm up before moving them gently to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Always ensure your eggs are at room temperature. This allows them to incorporate air better when whipped, creating a smoother, more uniform dough and superior texture in your baked goods.
• Flaky Sea Salt Finish: While optional, a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top of the dough before baking provides a delightful contrast to the rich sweetness, enhancing the overall flavor experience.

Storage and Freezing Instructions

These fudgy brownie cookies are so delicious, they rarely last long! But if you happen to have any leftovers, here’s how to keep them fresh:

• Short-Term Storage: Ensure the cookies have cooled completely to room temperature before storing. Place them in an airtight container at room temperature, where they will stay wonderfully fresh and fudgy for up to 5 days.
• Long-Term Freezing: For extended enjoyment, these cookies freeze beautifully. Once completely cooled, transfer them to a freezer-safe airtight container or a heavy-duty zip-top freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months without losing their quality. For best results when stacking, place a piece of parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
• Thawing & Reheating: To enjoy frozen cookies, simply let them thaw on the kitchen counter at room temperature for an hour or two. If you prefer a warm, just-baked experience, you can gently warm them in the microwave in 15-second increments until soft and gooey again.

Frequently Asked Questions About Brownie Cookies

More Decadent Chocolate & Dessert Recipes

If you’re a fan of rich, indulgent desserts, be sure to explore some of our other favorite cookie and brownie recipes:

• Almond Brownies with Dulce De Leche
• Fudgy Raspberry Brownies
• German Chocolate Brownies
• Extra Fudgy KitKat Brownies
• Snickers Brownies
• Classic Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Salted Caramel Chocolate Bars

Indulge in the Best Fudgy Brownie Cookies

There’s something truly magical about a cookie that delivers the intensity and texture of a perfectly baked brownie. These fudgy brownie cookies are more than just a treat; they’re an experience. With their deep chocolate flavor, satisfying chew, and beautiful crackled tops, they’re guaranteed to become a staple in your baking repertoire. Whether you’re whipping up a batch for a special event or simply craving a moment of pure chocolate bliss, this recipe is your ticket to ultimate dessert satisfaction. Give them a try, and prepare to fall in love!