Brownie Sundae Cookies

The Brownie Sundae Cookie is a masterpiece of flavors and textures, combining a rich, chewy brownie base with a cloud-like vanilla mousse frosting. A drizzle of silky hot fudge, a playful splash of rainbow sprinkles, and a bright maraschino cherry transform each cookie into a handheld celebration.

This indulgent twist on the classic ice cream sundae delivers all the joy without a spoon in sight. Perfect for parties, gifting, or a personal chocolate moment, these cookies are as beautiful as they are delicious and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

Chocolate Brownie Cookie Base:

• 1 ½ cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

• 3 large eggs, room temperature

• 3 ¾ cups (450g) all-purpose flour

• 1 cup (100g) Dutch processed cocoa powder

• 2 tablespoons (15g) cornstarch

• 1 tablespoon (5g) milk powder

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 ½ cups (319g) brown sugar (light or dark)

• ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar

• 1 teaspoon espresso powder

• 2 tablespoons corn syrup

• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

• 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Vanilla Mousse Frosting:

• 6 oz (170g) cream cheese, room temperature

• 2 ½ cups heavy whipping cream, icy cold

• 6 tablespoons instant vanilla pudding mix

• 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Hot Fudge Topping & Garnish:

• ¼ cup heavy cream

• 1 cup (170g) Ghirardelli semi-sweet chocolate chips

• 1 teaspoon Karo syrup

• Rainbow sprinkles

• 30 maraschino cherries with stems

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. Whisk together flour, cocoa, cornstarch, milk powder, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

3. In a large bowl, beat butter, both sugars, and espresso powder until creamy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well. Stir in corn syrup and vanilla.

4. Gradually mix in dry ingredients until just combined, then fold in chocolate chips.

5. Scoop dough into 3-tablespoon balls, place 6 per sheet, and flatten slightly.

6. Bake 12–14 minutes until centers are set but still soft. Cool completely.

7. For frosting, beat cream cheese until fluffy, add pudding mix, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Slowly blend in cold cream until light and pipeable.

8. Frost cooled cookies with mousse, then chill.

9. For hot fudge, melt chocolate chips and cream in 30-second microwave intervals, stir until smooth, and add Karo syrup.

10. Drizzle fudge over cookies, add sprinkles, and top with a cherry. Chill until serving.

Prep Time: 25 minutes | Cooking Time: 14 minutes | Total Time: 39 minutes
Kcal: ~350 per cookie | Servings: 30 cookies

Brownie Sundae Cookies: The Ultimate Dessert Experience

There’s something timeless about an ice cream sundae. The luscious combination of creamy vanilla ice cream, rich chocolate fudge, colorful sprinkles, and that iconic cherry on top has been a favorite for generations. Now imagine capturing that nostalgic flavor in a handheld, indulgent cookie. That’s exactly what Brownie Sundae Cookies do and they do it spectacularly.

These cookies take all the magic of a classic sundae and reimagine it in a gourmet dessert format. Instead of a cold scoop melting in a dish, you have a soft, chewy brownie cookie base topped with a velvety vanilla mousse, drizzled with glossy hot fudge, decorated with rainbow sprinkles, and finished with a bright maraschino cherry. The result is part bakery showstopper, part childhood memory, and entirely irresistible.

The Inspiration Behind the Brownie Sundae Cookie

This recipe draws inspiration from the popular Crumbl cookie flavor of the same name. Known for its oversized, bakery-quality cookies, Crumbl has made waves by turning favorite desserts into cookie form  and this flavor is one of their most whimsical creations. The idea is simple but genius: transform a layered sundae into a soft, decadent cookie.

But unlike the store-bought version, making these at home gives you complete control over the ingredients and presentation. You can use high-quality chocolate, adjust the sweetness to your taste, or even play with the toppings to match the season. And because this is a homemade version, the freshness is unmatched you can enjoy them straight from your kitchen when the frosting is still cool, and the hot fudge is just set.

Layers of Flavor and Texture

What makes this cookie truly special is its combination of layers, each with its own flavor and texture profile:

1. The Brownie Cookie Base
   The foundation is a rich chocolate cookie with a texture that straddles the line between a fudgy brownie and a classic chewy cookie. It’s soft in the center, slightly crisp on the edges, and full of deep cocoa flavor. Semi-sweet chocolate chips add bursts of molten richness, making every bite luxurious.

2. The Vanilla Mousse Frosting
   Instead of the usual buttercream, these cookies feature a whipped vanilla mousse frosting. It’s airy, silky, and reminiscent of melted vanilla ice cream in the best possible way. The frosting balances the intense chocolate base, offering a creamy counterpoint that lightens the overall bite.

3. The Hot Fudge Topping
   A sundae wouldn’t be complete without chocolate sauce, and here it’s taken to the next level. The hot fudge is rich, glossy, and slightly thick, so it clings to the mousse without soaking in. It’s a visual and flavor upgrade that ties the dessert theme together.

4. The Finishing Touches
   Rainbow sprinkles add a playful pop of color, while the maraschino cherry delivers that unmistakable sundae look. These little details are more than decoration they’re what turn a good cookie into a joyful experience.

Customization Ideas

While the original recipe is already spectacular, it’s also incredibly versatile. Here are some creative variations:

• Strawberry Sundae Version: Swap the hot fudge for strawberry sauce and top with a fresh strawberry instead of a cherry.

• Butterscotch Twist: Use butterscotch topping for a rich, caramelized flavor profile.

• Raspberry Elegance: Drizzle raspberry coulis over the mousse for a tangy-sweet finish.

• Marshmallow Surprise: Add a dollop of marshmallow fluff before the hot fudge for extra indulgence.

• Seasonal Fun: Switch sprinkles to match holidays red and green for Christmas, pastel for Easter, orange and black for Halloween.

These swaps keep the spirit of the dessert while letting you personalize it for events, seasons, or your own cravings.

Tips for Bakery-Quality Results

Creating a cookie that looks and tastes like it came from a professional bakery is all about technique and attention to detail. Here are a few tips that make a big difference:

• Use high-quality chocolate and cocoa powder for maximum flavor depth.

• Measure ingredients accurately, preferably with a kitchen scale, to ensure consistency.

• Don’t overbake the cookies  they should still be soft in the center when you pull them from the oven, as they’ll set while cooling.

• Pipe the frosting evenly to get that clean, professional look. A round piping tip is ideal for this style.

• Chill the finished cookies before serving so the frosting and toppings stay neat and refreshing.

When to Serve Brownie Sundae Cookies

These cookies are ideal for almost any occasion where you want to impress. They’re a showstopper on dessert tables, perfect for birthdays, holidays, baby showers, or bake sales. They also make a delightful surprise for family movie nights or a weekend baking project with kids.

Because of their size and richness, they’re a satisfying dessert all on their own no need for extra accompaniments. Serve them chilled on a platter for guests to admire before biting in.

Why They’re Better Homemade

Buying a specialty cookie from a bakery can be fun, but homemade versions have some big advantages:

• Freshness: You control when they’re baked and served.

• Customization: You can tweak flavors, toppings, and presentation to your liking.

• Cost-effectiveness: Making them at home costs a fraction of buying them from gourmet bakeries.

• Quality control: You choose the brands and types of ingredients, avoiding artificial additives if you prefer.

Storage and Make-Ahead Options

These cookies keep best when stored chilled in an airtight container. The mousse frosting stays firm and the hot fudge retains its shine when refrigerated. They’re at their peak within the first 2–3 days, but can be enjoyed for up to 5 days.

If you’re planning for a party, you can bake the brownie base ahead of time and freeze them unfrosted. When ready to serve, thaw, frost, and decorate your guests will never know they weren’t made that day.

Pairing Ideas

While these cookies are a dessert in themselves, you can elevate the experience by pairing them with complementary drinks or treats:

• Coffee or espresso to balance the sweetness.

• Cold milk for a classic, comforting combination.

• Sparkling water with fruit for a light refreshment between bites.

• A dessert wine like port for a rich after-dinner pairing.

Conclusion:

Brownie Sundae Cookies are more than just a novelty they’re a perfect example of how dessert trends can blend nostalgia with creativity. They offer the comfort of a brownie, the whimsy of a sundae, and the sophistication of a bakery creation, all in one handheld treat.

Whether you’re making them for a celebration, a gift, or simply to indulge yourself, they’re guaranteed to bring smiles. The contrast between the rich brownie base, the light mousse, the decadent fudge, and the playful toppings makes them a multi-sensory delight. And the best part? You don’t have to choose between a cookie and a sundae you can have both in every single bite.

These cookies are proof that sometimes, the best desserts are the ones that break the rules. By taking a classic frozen treat and reinventing it in cookie form, you get a dessert that’s versatile, portable, and irresistibly indulgent. If you’re looking to impress, whether at a holiday gathering or just your own taste buds, Brownie Sundae Cookies deserve a spot at the top of your baking list.