Have you ever wished you could enjoy a brownie and a cookie at the same time without choosing between the two? Many people think you have to bake them separately or layer them in a pan, but what if you could swirl both into one soft, gooey treat? These Brownie Swirl Cookies with Chocolate Chunks (Soft & Gooey!) give you the best of both worlds in every single bite. They look fancy, taste bakery-quality, and yet they’re simple enough for anyone to make at home. If you’ve ever wondered whether a cookie can truly taste like a brownie, this recipe will answer that question in the most delicious way.
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Brownie Swirl Cookies with Chocolate Chunks (Soft & Gooey!)
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 10–12 cookies 1x
Description
These Brownie Swirl Cookies with Chocolate Chunks are soft, gooey, and filled with melty chocolate swirls. Each cookie combines buttery cookie dough with rich brownie batter for a bakery-style treat you can make at home in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- Cookie Dough
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup chocolate chunks
- Brownie Batter Swirl
- 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- Pinch of salt
- Optional Toppings
- White chocolate chunks
- Milk chocolate pieces
- Flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Make the Cookie Dough: Cream the softened butter with the brown and white sugar until smooth. Add the egg and vanilla and mix until combined. Whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl, then fold into the wet ingredients. Stir in chocolate chunks and set aside.
- Make the Brownie Batter: Mix the melted butter with sugar until glossy. Add the egg yolk and mix again. Stir in cocoa powder, flour, and a pinch of salt until thick.
- Create the Swirl: Add spoonfuls of cookie dough and brownie batter into one bowl. Gently fold together—avoid overmixing so the swirl stays visible.
- Shape the Cookies: Scoop large cookie balls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Press extra chocolate chunks on top if desired.
- Bake: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes, or until edges are set but centers remain soft. Cool on the tray for maximum gooey texture.
Notes
For thicker cookies, chill the dough for 20 minutes before baking. Press extra chocolate on top right after baking for a melty finish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Brownie Swirl Cookies with Chocolate Chunks are the perfect marriage of chewy chocolate chip cookies and fudgy brownies. Imagine a golden, buttery cookie dough wrapped together with rich brownie batter, all baked into one thick, swirly cookie. The result is dramatic, chocolatey, soft, warm, and melty. These cookies are ideal for anyone who loves dessert but wants something fun and visually impressive.
This recipe takes about 20 minutes to mix and swirl, plus 10 to 12 minutes of baking time. In under 35 minutes total, you can enjoy warm cookies that look like they came from a high-end bakery. The recipe is easy to follow and great for beginners.
Essential Ingredients
Here are the key components you’ll need to make these soft and gooey Brownie Swirl Cookies with Chocolate Chunks.
For the Cookie Dough
- Unsalted butter
- Brown sugar
- White sugar
- One egg
- Vanilla extract
- All-purpose flour
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Chocolate chunks or chopped chocolate
For the Brownie Batter Swirl
- Unsalted butter
- Cocoa powder
- White sugar
- Egg
- Flour
- Salt
Substitutions and Variations
You can adjust this recipe based on your preferences.
- Use coconut sugar or light brown sugar if you don’t want to use refined sugar.
- Swap chocolate chunks for dark chocolate, white chocolate, or even caramel chips.
- Replace some of the flour with almond flour for a slightly nuttier flavor.
- Use dairy-free butter and chocolate to make the cookies lactose-free.
- Add espresso powder to make the chocolate flavor deeper.
Each option works beautifully and creates a slightly different personality for your cookies.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Make the Cookie Dough
Start by beating softened butter with brown sugar and white sugar until creamy. This ensures the cookies stay soft and rich. Add one egg and a splash of vanilla extract, mixing until smooth. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Fold in the chocolate chunks so they are evenly spread throughout the dough. Set aside.
Step 2: Make the Brownie Swirl Batter
Melt the butter and whisk it with sugar. Add in the egg, then stir in cocoa powder, flour, and a pinch of salt. The batter should be thick and glossy. This is your swirl layer and the reason these cookies stay gooey even the next day.
Step 3: Prepare for Swirling
Use a cookie scoop to drop small amounts of cookie dough onto a tray or bowl. Add dollops of brownie batter next to and on top of the cookie dough. Gently fold or swirl the two together with a spatula or your hands. The goal is to mix the two without blending them completely so you can see both colors when baked.
Step 4: Shape the Cookies
Scoop the swirled dough into balls. You should be able to see dark brownie lines mixed with lighter cookie dough. Place the cookie balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Step 5: Bake
Bake the cookies at 350°F (175°C) for 10 to 12 minutes. Take them out when the edges are lightly set but the centers still look soft. They will continue cooking slightly as they cool, giving you the perfect gooey texture. Add extra chocolate chunks on top right after baking for a beautiful melty finish.
Assembly and Presentation
The swirling step is what gives these cookies that dramatic look. Each cookie has its own pattern, making them look handcrafted and special. To assemble them beautifully:
- Make sure the swirl lines are still visible in the dough balls.
- After baking, press a few pieces of white or milk chocolate on top while the cookies are warm.
- Allow them to cool on the baking tray so they stay thick and do not flatten too quickly.
- Serve on a white plate or parchment for a bakery-style display.
If you want to impress guests, arrange the cookies in a box just like gourmet cookie shops do.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
These cookies stay soft and gooey for up to three days.
- Store them in an airtight container at room temperature.
- Add a piece of bread in the container to keep them moist.
- You can refrigerate the dough balls for up to 48 hours before baking.
- Freeze the dough for up to three months.
- To reheat, warm in the microwave for 8 to 10 seconds for gooey centers.
The make-ahead option is great if you want fresh cookies during the week without mixing the batters again.
Recipe Variations
Here are some creative ways to switch up your Brownie Swirl Cookies with Chocolate Chunks.
1. Peanut Butter Swirl Cookies
Add a peanut butter swirl to the cookie dough for a nutty twist.
2. White Chocolate Raspberry Swirl
Swirl in raspberry jam with the brownie batter for a fruity chocolate flavor.
3. Triple Chocolate Swirl
Use dark, milk, and white chocolate chunks for extra richness.
4. Salted Caramel Brownie Cookies
Add caramel bits to the cookie dough and sprinkle flaky salt on top after baking.
5. Mocha Swirl Cookies
Add a teaspoon of instant espresso powder to the brownie batter for a coffee-flavored cookie.
These variations show how flexible this recipe can be.
Conclusion
Brownie Swirl Cookies with Chocolate Chunks (Soft & Gooey!) are one of those treats that look complicated but are surprisingly easy to make. They combine the best parts of a soft cookie and a fudgy brownie into one irresistible dessert. Whether you are baking for family, sharing with friends, or treating yourself after a long day, these cookies are guaranteed to satisfy your craving for something sweet, chocolatey, and comforting. Once you try them, you’ll want to experiment with twists and flavors to make them your own.
FAQs
1. Why are my cookies not staying soft?
They may be overbaked. Remove them from the oven when the centers still look slightly underdone. They will continue to set as they cool.
2. Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes. Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. The cookies may spread slightly more but will still taste delicious.
3. Can I freeze the baked cookies?
Yes. Freeze them in a container for up to three months. Reheat for 10 to 12 seconds before eating.
4. Can I use boxed brownie mix?
Yes. Use a small portion of the batter just for swirling. Do not add too much or the cookies will flatten.
5. How do I keep the swirl visible?
Do not overmix the two doughs. Fold gently so the colors stay separate.
If you’re ready to enjoy a bakery-style dessert at home, these cookies are the perfect place to start. Let your creativity run wild and have fun baking.
