Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies

I'm not usually one for using mixes to make desserts (as should be obvious by most entries in this blog :)), but this one just sounded too good not to try.  And oh am I even glad I did!  The original has it pictured/made with chocolate frosting--I'm sure that is quite lovely, yet I assure you that vanilla frosting (whether just spread all over or in drops like I did here) is a nice balance for the rest of the chocolaty goodness.  Yep, 10 out 10 for this one, too.

Link to original recipe: https://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/frosted-chocolate-chip-cookie-brownies/eed4b2ac-42b3-4084-93ca-8a5fcda2a29c

Ingredients:

1 box (1 lb. 6.25 oz.) Betty Crocker™ Supreme original brownie mix
Water, vegetable oil, and eggs called for on the brownie box
1 pouch (1 lb. 1.5 oz.) Betty Crocker™ chocolate chip cookie mix
Butter and egg called for on the cookie mix pouch
Vanilla frosting (if desired--I used up some leftover homemade that I had on hand)

Instructions:

1. Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark/nonstick pan (which is what I used)).  Grease bottom only of 13"x 9" baking pan with shortening or cooking spray (I used shortening).

2. Prepare brownie mix per directions on box, then spread in prepared pan.

3. Prepare cookie mix per directions on pouch.  (**Note: The dough does not like to come together with a spoon--I ended up using my hands to mix it, which worked far better.  It is rather coarse texture for cookie dough.)

4. Drop cookie dough in tablespoonfuls evenly all over the brownie batter and press down lightly.

5. Bake 34-38 min. or until toothpick inserted 2" from side of pan comes out almost clean.  (I checked at 35 min. and it was still quite messy, so I went 5 more min, which was perfect.)

6.  Cool completely on cooling rack before frosting.  Enjoy!