Tasty Brownie Sundae Cookies

These Brownie Sundae Cookies pack all the magic of a delicious brownie sundae into one handheld treat. The cookies turn out incredibly fudgy and decadent, topped with a dollop of smooth vanilla ice cream and finished with a bright cherry – just like those classic dessert parlor favorites we all grew up loving.

The first batch I made for our home movie marathon disappeared so fast I barely snagged one for myself. They've become my favorite dessert to whip up whenever we're celebrating anything.

Round Up Your Ingredients

• Unsalted butter: adds moisture and tenderness to the cookies. Try to get good butter for richer taste
• Semisweet chocolate chips: create that wonderful fudgy texture. Pick a trusted brand for the best flavor
• Granulated sugar: helps form that pretty crackled top. Regular white sugar works perfectly here
• Large eggs: hold everything together and make the cookies chewy. Always use fresh ones
• Vanilla extract: enhances flavors in both cookie and ice cream. Real vanilla makes a big difference
• All purpose flour: gives the cookies their shape without being heavy. Unbleached flour works best
• Unsweetened cocoa powder: boosts the chocolate flavor dramatically. Dutch process gives a darker color
• Salt: cuts through sweetness and brightens all other flavors. Fine sea salt works wonders
• Vanilla ice cream: brings that cool, creamy contrast. Let it soften a bit before scooping
• Maraschino cherries: add that perfect sundae finishing touch. Get ones with stems for fancy presentation

Making Your Cookies

Heat Your Oven:

Turn your oven to three hundred fifty degrees Fahrenheit and put parchment paper on a baking sheet. This stops sticking and helps keep your cookies soft in the middle with chewy edges.

Combine Chocolate and Butter:

Put chocolate chips and butter in a small pot over low heat. Stir often until everything melts together smoothly. Let cool about four minutes so it won't cook your eggs prematurely.

Mix the Wet Stuff:

Add sugar, eggs, and vanilla to your melted mixture. Whisk hard for at least a minute until it looks glossy and gets slightly thicker. This long mixing time really helps create those chewy edges everyone loves.

Add Dry Ingredients:

Put in flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Stir with a spatula just until everything comes together. Check the bowl sides for any missed spots but don't mix too much.

Shape and Bake:

Drop spoonfuls of dough onto your prepared baking sheet, leaving room between them. Bake nine to eleven minutes until edges feel set but centers still look slightly underdone for maximum fudginess.

Let Cool and Top:

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet a few minutes to firm up. Move to a cooling rack until completely cool. Right before serving, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream so it starts to melt slightly into the cookie.

Add Final Touches:

Drizzle with chocolate sauce and place a cherry on top. For extra fun, add some sprinkles or chopped nuts to make it feel like a real sundae experience.

I think the chocolate chips really make these special. They create those amazing melty spots that remind me of school bake sales where the gooiest brownies always sold first. My little girl now asks for her own sundae cookie every time her birthday rolls around.

Tasty Upgrades

Try dark chocolate chips instead of semisweet for deeper flavor. You can use plant-based butter and ice cream to make these dairy-free. Adding a tiny bit of almond extract gives them an unexpected but delicious twist.

Serving Suggestions

Set out freshly baked cookies with several ice cream flavors so everyone can build their own creation. Add some whipped cream, colorful sprinkles, or a light dusting of cocoa powder for a true DIY sundae experience.

Creative Twists

Switch to strawberry or mint ice cream during warmer months. In winter, try cinnamon or coffee ice cream for holiday gatherings. Refrigerating the dough for half an hour makes cookies that stay plumper and hold their shape better.

These Brownie Sundae Cookies capture everything wonderful about the traditional dessert right in your home kitchen. Make them for your next get-together and watch everyone's faces light up with joy.

Common Questions About This Recipe

→ How do you melt chocolate without burning?

Go slow with low heat or try a water bath method, making sure to stir the whole time so it doesn't stick or burn.

→ Can I use a different ice cream flavor?

Absolutely, switch it up with flavors like strawberry or mint to match what you love most.

→ What can I use instead of semisweet chocolate chips?

Try bittersweet or dark chocolate if you want something with more punch and deeper chocolate taste.

→ How should the cookies be stored before serving?

Store them in a sealed container at room temp if you'll put them together soon, or pop them in the freezer to keep longer.

→ Can the assembled treats be made ahead of time?

You'll get the best results if you put everything together right before eating so the cookies stay crispy and the ice cream doesn't melt.