Thick, gooey, bakery-style brookie bars loaded with chocolate chips, then dressed up with colorful toppings like fresh berries, drizzled chocolate, pistachios, and holiday treats. These dessert squares are chewy, rich, and perfect for celebrations or gifting.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These festive brookie bars are a delicious marriage of cookies and brownies with an added flair of customizable toppings. They are perfect for holidays, parties, or edible gifts, and can be easily made vegan and dairy-free. The recipe comes together in one bowl, requires no fancy equipment, and delivers a dessert that looks as good as it tastes. With a chewy center and crisp edges, each bite is filled with chocolatey goodness and visual charm.
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 1/2 cup coconut oil or vegan butter, melted
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup plant-based milk
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup vegan chocolate chips
- Optional: natural food coloring (beetroot for red, matcha for green)
- Toppings: fresh raspberries, red currants, chopped pistachios, vegan chocolate drizzle, nutty chocolate pieces, coconut truffles
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Lightly grease or line an 8×8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted coconut oil and brown sugar until smooth and glossy. Stir in the plant-based milk and vanilla extract until fully combined.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms.
- Fold in the vegan chocolate chips. If using natural food coloring, divide the dough and mix in your desired powders to create colorful swirls or layers.
- Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan. Smooth the surface with a spatula or your fingers.
- Bake for 20–24 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the center is just set.
- Let the brookies cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares.
- Once cooled, decorate with your choice of toppings: drizzle melted vegan chocolate, arrange fresh berries, sprinkle with chopped pistachios, and press in truffles or festive treats for a personalized touch.
Servings and timing
Servings: 16 bars
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Bake Time: 20–24 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Variations
- Classic brookies: Layer brownie batter beneath cookie dough for a true brookie experience.
- Nutty twist: Add chopped walnuts, pecans, or hazelnuts to the dough for crunch.
- Gluten-free: Substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Spiced brookies: Add cinnamon or cardamom for a warm, aromatic touch.
- Holiday edition: Use colored dough sections (with beetroot or matcha) to create a red and green holiday swirl.
Storage/Reheating
Store brookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, microwave individual bars for 10–15 seconds or warm them in a low oven to soften slightly before serving.
FAQs
Can I use regular butter and milk in this recipe?
Yes, you can substitute coconut oil with regular butter and plant-based milk with dairy milk if you are not following a vegan diet.
Do I need to chill the dough before baking?
No, the dough does not require chilling and can be baked right away.
Can I double this recipe?
Yes, simply double the ingredients and use a 9×13-inch baking pan. Adjust baking time as needed.
What can I use instead of chocolate chips?
You can use chocolate chunks, chopped dark chocolate, or even white or ruby chocolate if desired.
How do I keep the bars soft?
Do not overbake the bars. Remove them from the oven when the center is just set to maintain a gooey texture.
Are these suitable for kids’ parties?
Absolutely. The festive toppings and rich taste make them a hit with kids. You can even let kids help decorate them.
Can I make these ahead for a holiday event?
Yes. Bake the brookies a day or two in advance and decorate them on the day of your event.
Do I have to use natural food coloring?
No, it’s optional. The bars are delicious and festive even without any coloring.
What toppings work best for gifting?
Dried fruit, nuts, and chocolate drizzle work well because they hold up during packaging. Avoid fresh fruit if gifting.
How should I package these for gifts?
Let the bars cool completely, wrap each square in parchment or wax paper, and place them in a decorative tin or box.
Conclusion
Chocolate chip brookie bars with festive toppings are the perfect fusion of chewy cookies and indulgent brownies, with endless room for creativity. Whether you’re baking them for a celebration, a thoughtful gift, or simply to satisfy a sweet craving, these bars are guaranteed to impress. With simple ingredients and customizable decorations, they’re a go-to dessert for any festive occasion.
Print
Chocolate Chip Brookie Bars with Festive Toppings
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 24 minutes
- Total Time: 39 minutes
- Yield: 16 squares 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Thick, gooey, bakery-style brookie bars loaded with chocolate chips and topped with festive decorations like berries, nuts, and chocolate. A rich, chewy dessert perfect for celebrations or gifting.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup coconut oil or vegan butter, melted
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup plant-based milk
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup vegan chocolate chips
- Optional: natural food coloring (beetroot for red, matcha for green)
- Toppings: fresh raspberries, red currants, chopped pistachios, vegan chocolate drizzle, nutty chocolate pieces, coconut truffles
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease or line an 8×8-inch square baking pan.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together melted coconut oil and brown sugar until smooth. Add plant-based milk and vanilla extract, mixing well.
- In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet until a soft dough forms.
- Fold in the chocolate chips. Divide the dough if you’d like to color portions with natural powders like beetroot or matcha.
- Press the dough into the prepared pan and bake for 20–24 minutes, or until golden at the edges but still soft in the center.
- Let the bars cool completely before slicing into squares.
- Decorate each brookie with your choice of toppings: drizzle chocolate, arrange berries, sprinkle nuts, and press in truffles or chocolates as desired.
Notes
- Do not overbake; bars will continue to set as they cool.
- Customize toppings for different holidays or celebrations.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
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