Killer Cookie Dough Brownies

When my friend Kathleen, of Gonna Want Seconds, posted these brownies last week I knew I would have to make them.  It was just a matter of time, and the right occasion, of course.  My daughter was invited to a Last Day of School party at the neighbor's house and it seemed like the perfect occasion to make these brownies, eat one, and pass them on.  Lord knows I have to be careful when it comes to sweets, or else I end up strapping on my pig nose, and eating them all (more on that later). 

These brownies are so fantastic I can't even begin to tell you!  Both the adults and the kids went absolutely crazy for them.  How can you go wrong with chocolate chip cookie dough sandwiched between a smooth and creamy chocolate layer and a chewy brownie layer?  Oh my gosh, it was just perfection!

 Cookie Dough Brownies

Adapted from Kathleen at Gonna Want Seconds (who got the recipe from Farm Girl)

Brownies:

4 eggs
1 cup canola oil
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup baking cocoa
(I added 1/4 teaspoon of instant coffee to deepen the chocolaty-ness and it was great)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup walnuts, optional

Filling:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

Glaze:
2 cups milk chocolate chips
2 tablespoons shortening
3/4 cups walnuts, optional

In a large bowl, beat the eggs, oil and sugar. Stir in vanilla. Combine flour, cocoa, coffee and salt; gradually add to egg mixture. Stir in walnuts if desired.

Pour into a greased 9 x 13 baking pan. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until brownies toothpick test done. Cool completely.

For filling, in a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in milk and vanilla. Gradually beat in flour. Stir in mini chocolate chips. Spread over brownies (works best to just press out with clean hands.); chill until firm.

For glaze, in a microwave safe bowl, melt chocolate chips and shortening in 30 second intervals, stirring after each time, until smooth. Spread over filling. Immediately sprinkle with nuts, pressing down slightly. Yields 3 dozen.

Notes/Results: Awesome, awesome, awesome. We absolutely love this recipe and look forward to the day when we make them again.  Thanks to Kathleen for such a tasty treat!

These brownies will definitely make you want to strap on your pig nose!