Chocolate Brownie Cookies & Bars
This page brings together seven vintage chocolate favorites—brownie drop cookies, classic brownies, and easy bar cookies like Hello Dolly and Congo Bars. They’re the kind of old-fashioned recipes made from pantry staples, perfect for bake sales, potlucks, and quick weeknight treats.
Use the jump links to go straight to the recipe you want. Most bake around 350°F and finish as chewy cookies, fudgy squares, or sliceable bars.
Recipes on this page
Use the links below to jump directly to each cookie recipe.
- Brownie Drop Cookies
- Hello Dolly Bars
- Brownie with Nuts Cookies
- Rich Chocolate Bars
- Chocolate Brownies
- Congo Bars
- Two Tone Brownies
Brownie Drop Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 bars German sweet chocolate
- 1 tbsp butter
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup sifted flour
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 3/4 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease cookie sheets.
- Melt chocolate and butter over hot water; cool slightly.
- Beat eggs until foamy. Gradually add sugar and beat about 5 minutes until thick. Blend in chocolate mixture.
- Stir in flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, vanilla, and nuts.
- Drop by teaspoons onto cookie sheets and bake 8–10 minutes. Cool slightly before removing.
Total Cook Time - 8 to 10 minutes
Equipment - cookie sheet
Servings - 36 cookies
Hello Dolly Bars
Ingredients
- 1/4 lb margarine, melted in pan
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 1 cup flaked coconut
- 1 cup chocolate bits
- 1 cup chopped nuts
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Melt margarine in an 8×8-inch pan.
- Layer graham crumbs, coconut, chocolate bits, and nuts over butter.
- Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over top (do not mix).
- Bake 35–40 minutes. Cool and dust with confectioners sugar if desired.
Total Cook Time - 35 to 40 minutes
Equipment - 8 by 8 pan
Servings - several pieces
Brownie with Nuts Cookies
Ingredients
- 4 squares unsweetened chocolate, 4 oz.
- 2/3 cup shortening
- 2 cup sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1 1/2 cup flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chopped nuts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 13×9½-inch pan.
- Melt chocolate and shortening over low heat. Beat in sugar and eggs.
- Mix flour, baking powder, and salt; stir into batter. Fold in nuts.
- Spread in pan and bake 25–30 minutes until center tests done.
- Cool, cut into bars, and frost if desired.
Total Cook Time - 25 to 30 minutes
Equipment - 13 by 9 1/2 by 2 inch pan
Servings - 28
Rich Chocolate Bars
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons cocoa
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 2 teaspoons Nestles Quick
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1 cup coconut
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts
Icing:
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 cups confectioners sugar
- 2 tablespoons instant vanilla pudding
- 3 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- In a double boiler, combine butter, sugar, cocoa, eggs, Nestle’s Quick, and vanilla. Stir over heat until smooth.
- Mix graham crumbs, coconut, and nuts in a bowl. Stir into chocolate mixture.
- Spread into a greased 9×9 or 7×11-inch pan.
- For icing: cream butter, gradually add confectioners sugar and pudding, then milk. Spread over bars.
Total Cook Time - 3 minutes
Equipment - 9 by 9 inch or 7 by 11 inch pan
Servings - 12
Chocolate Brownies
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 squares melted chocolate
- 1/2 cup nut meats
- 1/2 cup flour
- Pinch of salt
- Vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8×8-inch pan.
- Cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs.
- Stir in melted chocolate, flour, salt, vanilla, and nuts.
- Bake about 30 minutes. Cool and cut into squares.
Total Cook Time - 30 minutes
Equipment - 8 by 8 inch pan
Servings - 12
Congo Bars
Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cup flour
- 2 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2/3 cup melted shortening
- 2 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 6 oz package chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 13×9-inch pan.
- Sift flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Mix shortening, brown sugar, and eggs. Stir in dry ingredients and chocolate chips.
- Spread batter in pan and bake about 30 minutes.
- Cool and cut into bars.
Total Cook Time - 30 minutes
Equipment - 13 by 9 inch pan
Servings - 2 dozen
Two Tone Brownies
Total Cook Time - 20 minutes
Equipment - 8 inch square pan
Servings - 16
Brownie Cookies & Bars FAQ
What’s the difference between brownie cookies and brownie bars?
Brownie cookies are dropped or scooped onto a cookie sheet, while brownie bars are baked in a pan and cut into squares.
Can I swap walnuts/pecans or leave nuts out?
Yes—nuts are optional in most of these recipes. You can omit them or swap walnuts, pecans, or even chocolate chips.
How do I know when brownies are done?
For bars, a toothpick should come out with a few moist crumbs (not wet batter). Overbaking makes brownies dry.
What’s the best way to store these?
Store cooled bars/cookies in an airtight container. For extra softness, place a slice of bread in the container for a day.