Apparently, I am in the zone for the week—the brownie zone. So from Monday’s Inside-out S’mores Brownies to these Crunchy Cookies and Cream Brownies, I’ll have another very soon.
I don’t know if its summer, the heat or what, but my body has been set to slugginess for the past week. I’m having the hardest time with moving my butt around lately. Yes, I would love to just slump down on the sofa and succumb to it, but I’m always racked with guilt when I do nothing. And true to form—the other night instead of exhaling—I got up off the sofa at 10pm and marked this off the “to-try list”. Nevermind the “to-do list” full of weighty things pertaining to financial matters, household maintenance and all the other eye-skimming stuff Matt has written down for us.
The to-try list is just way more gratifying. And in keeping with the mood, I cherry-picked the easiest one to make—you know, something perfectly suited for the lazy baker in me.
These don’t take much effort. If the lazy me can muster up the energy, you can too. Trust me, you will be well rewarded.
A few notes:
- These Crunchy Cookies and Cream Brownies are an adaptation of these from Lindsay’s blog’with the following changes: I swapped the peanut butter for Nutella, omitted the peanut butter cups all together, swapped the Rice Krispie cereal for some of these cookies and cream cereal (or you can use any suitable cereal you have on hand) and increased that portion from 1 1/2 cups to 2 1/2 cups for more crunch, and then threw in some marshmallow for some textural contrast.
- As Lindsay mentioned, these get melt-y in the heat, so eat’m fast (not a problem here ) or serve slightly chilled.
Crunchy Cookies and Cream Brownies
Ingredients
Brownie Base:
- 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 1 3/4 cups semisweet chocolate chips, divided
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 teaspoon instant espresso powder or 2 tablespoons brewed coffee (optional)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
Topping:
- 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 1/2 cups Nutella
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 1/2 cups Cookies and Cream cereal
Instructions
To make brownie base:
- Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with aluminum foil; lightly cover with bake spray.
- Place butter and 3/4 cup chocolate chips in a large microwave safe bowl. Heat on high power for 60 to 90 seconds, stirring every 10 to 15 seconds to prevent scorching. When chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth, stir in sugar and brown sugar (batter will appear grainy).
- Add the coffee or espresso powder and vanilla extract and stir until combined.
- Whisk in eggs until incorporated. Sprinkle the flour over top and fold until just combined. Stir in 1/2 cup chocolate chips then pour batter into prepared pan.
- Bake for about 25 minutes or until brownies are mostly done. Remove from oven and sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup chocolate chips over top. Return pan to oven and bake for 3 to 4 minutes more. Transfer pan to wire rack to cool.
To make topping:
- Place chocolate chips, Nutella, and butter in a large microwave safe bowl. Heat on high power for 1 minute, stirring every 10 to 15 seconds, until melted and smooth. Let cool slightly. Add cookies and cream cereal and marshmallow and toss to coat. Spread cereal mixture over top of brownies, then cover and refrigerate for at least 90 minutes, or until set, or overnight. Brownies will keep, refrigerated in an airtight container, for up to 1 week.
Recipe is originally from Averie Sunshine's book Peanut Butter Comfort,
I think the changes in seasons always makes people sluggish. Even I am experiencing a bit a slow mood right now.
The crunchy topping reminds me of the 100 grand candy bars you can get. I actually was inspired by this texture contrast too and made a custom cake from it. Really you can not get better than lazy brownies if you ask me.
I feel you on the sluggishness–that’s been me this week for sure. These brownies may help me outta the funk tho! 🙂 Thanks!
These look delicious! I’m curious to know when you add the marshmallows, do you add them when you add the cereal?
There is so, so, much goodness in these bars!!
These look amaze balls. Now I am craving all the brownie things!
Love these and all the photos are amazing!
These look truly divine!
Oh my goodness! I am in the same brownie-craving boat as you. Weekends are when I have my cheat meals, so right now I can’t even look at this without getting sugar-hungry pains. Delicious!
These look so cool! I’ve also been feeling sluggish and lazy the past couple of days… I am scared to admit that I am even looking forward to autumn, just a little bit!
I’m really going to have to make this recipe soon!
I’m the same way–when I do nothing after work, I feel lazy. I’ve given myself 2 jobs: my day job and blogging, and I’m still constantly taking on more. I don’t want to waste my life!
But, we both need to schedule a massage now.
Lovely cookies 🙂
First of all, cookies and cream cereal sounds amazing! Reminds me of Oreo-o’s from my childhood. Second, these bars look delicious! Love all the different topping covered in a layer of chocolate!
I am the same. When I sit down on the coach, the guilt hits me right away. It’s like clockwork! LOl!
These brownies look amazing and I LOVE the crunch factor!
Looks great! Quick question, how many marshmallows in the topping?
just stop. too good!
Mind-blowing. Want these so badly!! 🙂
These look awesome. I agree and to-try list is much less daunting that a t0-do list
wow!!!! Lovely pic & fun recipe to try….
I am going to need a whole pan of these brownie bars after dealing with my to-do list!
I can’t even get over these. They are bananas!! I could take down that whole pan right now!
these look awesome!!!
These look seriously amazing. Next thing on my to-bake list for sure!
This is too good, wouldn’t last long at home…pinning this.
Girl…you got a little bit of everything in these bars! Perfect 🙂
marshmallows are missing from the list of ingredients for topping
LOVE. That brownie topping sure has infinite possibilities… and now I’m craving it again.
Anyone figure out how many marshmallows to add. I have the brownies in the oven. Grrr. I hate when ingredients are missing.
I always find blog recipes that leave ingredients out. Frustrating, Looks to be about 2 cups worth of mini mallows. My guess. They look good though.