Slutty Brownies & {Happy birthday, Matt!}

We're in Ohio for the weekend, visiting our friends Matt and Adrienne (along with a bunch of others!).  Matt's birthday is today, and he requested these brownies as a birthday treat.  So happy birthday, Matt!!

Though variations of this recipe can be found all over the internet, I found this one on the blog Handle the Heat.

You'll need:

For the brownie layer
10 tbs (1 1/4 sticks) of butter
1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1/2 cup all purpose flour

For the Oreo layer
16 Oreos

For the cookie layer
16 tbs (2 sticks) butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
2 cups chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.  Line a 9x9 or 8x8 pan with foil and spray the foil with cooking spray.  Set aside.

For the brownie layer: Melt the butter, either in a medium saucepan or in the microwave in 30-second increments.  Remove it from the heat, and combine it with the sugar and cocoa powder.  Whisk to combine.  Add the salt, vanilla, and eggs.  Mix to combine those too.  Add the flour and mix until just combined.  This batter will be pretty thick and fudgey, so not to worry.  Set aside.

For the cookie layer: Cream the butter and sugars together with an electric mixer until it's light and fluffy.  Add eggs and vanilla, and beat until combined.  Add flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda and mix on low until just combined.  Stir in the chocolate chips.  Hang onto this, because you'll need it in just a second.

To assemble: Press half of the cookie dough into the bottom of the pan.  You can hang onto the other half (will keep in the fridge for ~2 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months, when kept in an airtight container) or just go ahead and bake some cookies.

Press the 16 Oreos into the cookie dough in an even layer.

Pour all of the brownie batter over top of the Oreos.  Spread evenly with a spatula.  Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a knife comes out cleanly when inserted into the middle.

Slice those bad boys up and dig in!  They are decadent and delicious.  Just make them.  Do it.