It’s rare to form so many enduring memories in so short a time. Chatter over bottles and bottles of wine, 2 AM distress calls, tears at the vet’s, surprise parties, window shopping, and … oh the list could go on and on.
S (my sister-in-law) is in essence the younger sister I never had. We took our time getting to know each other, but it was a road less rocky than most, I’d imagine. There’s rarely been a day in the last few years where we haven’t spoken to each other.
The reason I’m writing this post is because S is starting a new chapter in her life. She’s leaving for the UK for a year to pursue her master’s degree. A brilliant girl, who got picked out of hundreds for a scholarship. She makes me real proud.
Over the last few years I have seen her grow, watched her take tentative steps towards life changing decisions and – while I’m extremely happy for her – there is just no denying how much I will miss her. Knowing she’s not down the lane for a quick chat or getting a random call and coming over, asking me to bake something, always being there to give an unconditional support and that nudge I need every once in a while. This is all dawning upon me as the date of her departure comes closer.
I asked her a few days ago, what she wanted me to bake for her before she leaves and her first reaction was ‘Ooh… many things’. But what topped the list without any hesitation was a ‘Cookie Topped Brownies’.
- 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
- 3 ounces unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped
- 2 sticks (8 ounces) unsalted butter, cut into chunks
- 1⅔ cups sugar
- 4 large eggs
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped (Optional)
- 11/4 cup all purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 ½ sticks (12 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- ¾ cup (packed) light brown sugar
- ⅔ cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped into chips, or 1 cup store-bought chocolate chips
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9-x-13-inch baking pan. Put the pan on a baking sheet.
- Put both chocolates and the butter in a heat proof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water. Heat just until the ingredients are melted, stirring occasionally. Remove the bowl from the heat.
- Working with a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the sugar and eggs on medium-high speed for about 2 minutes, until pale. Beat in the salt and vanilla extract.
- Reduce the speed to low, and mix in the melted chocolate and butter, mixing only until incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then, still on low speed, add the flour, mixing only until its combined. Using the spatula, fold in the walnuts, and scrape the batter into the prepared pan. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Working with a stand mixer, beat the butter and both sugars together on medium-high speed until smooth and creamy, about 3 minutes. One at a time, add the egg and the yolk, beating for 1 minute after each addition. Beat in the vanilla. Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the dry ingredients, mixing only until they disappear into the dough. Mix in the chopped chocolate.
- Drop the cookie dough by spoonfuls over the brownie batter and, using a spatula and a light touch, spread it evenly over the batter.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the cookie top is deep golden brown and firm and a thin knife inserted into the brownie layer comes out with only faint streaks of moist chocolate. Transfer the pan to a rack and cool to room temperature.
- When the brownies are completely cool, carefully run a knife between the sides of the pan and the brownies, then invert them onto another rack. Cut into bars, drizzle with chocolate or just dust sugar and enjoy.
For my dearest S, We hope that the coming year is everything you want it to be. We’ll miss you while you’re away! Hope you enjoy your brownies. Love, A and K and Max and Flash too.
Happy Baking!
Awww that is so sweet of you! Wish her all the best from my side. These looks so yummy!
A.. I can’t express how much this means to me. You are not only an amazing sister-in-law, but a superwoman in every respect of the word. So much so, that I have nightmares about how I’m ever going to match up to the way you handle life.
The thing I am going to miss the most is being your official taster! Even though it’s just SO hard to point out to anything amiss in everything that you make an bake!
Okay the rest of the chocolate chip cookie topped brownies are calling out to me… *drool*
best of luck to S ! so sweet of you. as usual stunner baked goodies :D this looks like a must eat !
that’s the best… when you become so close with your in laws! awwww she must be a brilliant girl! she will love the UK! and the chocolate cookie topping on brownies with the drizzle looks sooo goood.
Oh wow, can I have these for breakfast? They look amazing! Good luck to your sis!
2 of these would go nicely with my coffee!
Your brownies look terrific and incredibly tempting! An awesome treat.
Cheers,
Rosa
Anu! What a great chocolate chip cookie topped brownies!! Your sis in law is soo lucky to have you and those… She’s leaving for only 1 year, it’ll be fast, you won’t see the time passing!! Just try to do not think too much about it!
Hugs
An I wish your sister-in-law the best of luck! I have to tell you, you have paired my husband’s two favorite sweets: chocolate chip cookies and brownies. So now the question is do I make them and surprise him or show him your wonderful pictures and let him drool a little first?! :-)
Aww An you are one amazing sister in law. You are the nicest person and I am so fortunate to have you as my twitter daughter.
Good one! Now even the writing gets better with every post. And the affection shows so clearly through those sinful cookie topped brownies, which I must say is very innovative.
Best of luck S!
Now I can die knowing that my greatest dream have been realised…..
Seriously, those look delicious.
Such a sweet farewell post. No wonder she requested these brownies when asked! They look amazing.
Best wishes to S as she pursues her studies in the UK and sincere congratulations to her on winning the scholarship. Well done!
One comforting thing about having her so far away is the age we are living in. You have instantaneous emails, Skype at the like. That being said however there’s still nothing like being able to sit across from one another and share. Here’s hoping the time for you two to be able to do that once again comes before you know it.
Huge congrats to S–that’s a fabulous opportunity! I know you’ll miss her so much. Thankfully, these days of social media makes it much easier to stay in touch with those you love.
I’m sure she adored these cookie/brownies!
Just precious! I can’t imagine sending mine off. But I think my kitchen might have something sweet to commemorate it too ;)
You are such a good sister-in-law! I’m sad for you that she’s moving away. I live in a different state from my sister. Hoping one day we’ll be down the street…
Best wishes to S pursuing her masters! Sad as time goes on people move away or their careers call them away, but social media helps in that area.
Awesome choice of treat -the picture is stunning. Great post.
Love these cookie topped brownies. And best wishes fro your SIL. Happy to read and get to know about such sweet relationship you share with her.
A tear did roll down my cheek and then a smile for the recipe!!
All the best Sim1!! And A Don’t stop baking.. ever!! :)
I have made these before and I was in dessert/snack heaven. I would make them again right this minute but I’d eat so many my head would explode. :) These are SO good!
These look wonderful! Two sinful sweets combined in one. Isn’t the gift of baking the best? To both give and receive? Straight from the heart.
Well i dont think you could have completed her request much more wonderfully :) These look absolutely divine! I cant imagine what they taste like (apart from darn good!) but hope i get to find out in the near future :)
Thanks for dropping by Sasha. Hope you’ll try them soon. :)
Congrats to S, what a beautiful opportunity! We moved away from family 16yrs ago. Not an easy choice, but has been the right choice to follow our path in life. Her choice of dessert is welll….oh my heavens Yum!!!! This sounds so decadent, rich, and just delicious:-) Love and Hugs, Terra
I’m so happy to have found your blog. Amazing recipe! Thank you!
xo
http://allykayler.blogspot.com/
what a heartfelt post… i’m sure S enjoyed the brownies
A relationship to cherish :) Very SWEET post!
Wow I am loving this 2-in-1 dessert, I don’t think I’ve had cookies with my brownies before, yum! Aren’t you sweet to oblige your sis-in-law’s request. Big congrats to her in her new endeavors.
I have 4 new sister in laws that I am still getting to know and one is moving to Israel in a month and will be super close to us and I think maybe I will make these to welcome her! They look so so so so amazing. I cannot wait to try them!
What a lovely post! It is relationships like this that add richness to our lives. The year will pass so quickly that she’ll be back before you know it. Even it is just for more of these incredible brownies! Wow, these I need to make…. mmmm fabulous!
Just been browsing your blog and landed on these…wow. They look so delicious! Am planning to make this eve, just writing my shopping list now :-)
I just want to wish S all the best. I love brownies, but nothing beats brownies made with love.
Oh my gosh…those look awesome. Cookies and brownies are great all by themselves, I gotta try them together!!!
Aw that’s really sweet of you, best wishes to S! These brownies look amazing!!
Sigh. I should just resign myself to being fat and happily make everything you post. Delicious!! Thought he coffe kahlua brownies from yesterday may be even more tempting…
Congrats to your sister-in-law on a grand new adventure! You just have to make sure she comes back! These brownies look out of this world…rich, gooey and two desserts wrapped up in one. Another winner!
What a sweet post! These brownies look amazing. You are going to have to ship them to her when she is in the UK!
What a sweet sisterly post!!
Oh and these brownies .. YUM!
Oh gosh, it sounds like you’ve have a busy few days. Awesome looking brownies, and wishing S the best in the next chapter!
Wow, how decadent! I buzzed them.
This looks wonderful! Can’t wait to try. How much flour goes into the cookie portion? saw on the instructions to mix in flour, but didn’t see it on the ingredient list (only listed for the brownie portion). Best of luck to you and your sister in law!
Thanks Hilary. You’ll need 11/4 cup all purpose flour. I’ve updated the recipe.