My Ultimate List of Kitchen Essentials

Saturday
May / 15 / 2021
Comments 26

Curious about my favorite tools, appliances, and cookware? Then you’ve come to the right place because I’m sharing the ultimate list of my kitchen essentials. From bakeware to dinnerware, these are my go-to items for creating magic in my kitchen.

My Ultimate List of Kitchen Essentials

If you’ve been following Inspired by Charm for a while, you’ll know that for me, time spent in the kitchen is time well spent. The kitchen is my happy place. I’ve developed and shared hundreds of recipes here, so having kitchen tools and equipment I can rely on is a must. This collection of kitchen essentials has been in development for years. I did the work so you don’t have to.

Before we get into this list, there are a few things I want to mention.

First – While this is a very comprehensive list, I am not suggesting that it is a list of EVERYTHING you need or must/should have. Items listed are just personal favorites. For example, I have three different sets of flatware. The average person doesn’t need this. Pick one. Another example: you may notice there’s no blender; that’s because I haven’t found one I love. I will be certain to update this post when I have new things to add to my kitchen-essentials list.

Second – Because this list is pretty extensive, I’m not going to go into great detail as to why I love each item. However, I will make a few small notes so you will understand why I want to recommend the items listed to everyone I know. If you have questions, leave them in the comments below and I’ll do my best to answer them.

Third – I realize that it’s not ideal that every product is not pictured. I think this is one of those posts that’s going to develop and get better over time. Please bear with me. I wanted to get this post to you so for now, published is better than perfect. If there is any way I can make things easier to navigate, please let me know in the comment section below.

Fourth – If you’re new to Inspired by Charm, you may have never seen my kitchen before. Back in 2019 I completed a major kitchen remodel and documented the entire process. You can see the results of that kitchen renovation in this post HERE.

With that being said, let’s get into my Ultimate List of Kitchen Essentials.

Curious about more of my favorites that aren’t in the kitchen? You’re in luck, because I have more post like this! Check out some of my other favorites below:

My Favorite Things to Buy at Target
Products I Love and Think You’ll Love Too
My Favorite Amazon Purchases
My Ultimate List of Kitchen Essentials – you are here!

Kitchen Essentials – Tableware:

When it comes to tableware, my goal was to find something that matched my style, something that I could dress up or dress down, and something that I could mix and match with. The dinnerware collection below checks off all of those boxes and then some. I also have no issues with chips or scratches. In terms of color, white is the obvious choice for me. Yes, colored dishes or patterned dishes can be so much fun, but I found classic white to be best. Why? It goes with everything and your food will always look beautiful on a classic white plate.

In terms of flatware, I have several sets because I’m extra. However, the classic silver set is my go-to everyday flatware. I threw in the others because I love them and if you did want an extra set, they are ones I would recommend.

Kitchen Essentials – Glassware:

Glassware might be my favorite kitchen essential to talk about. The French wine glasses and the CB2 Glasses are two of my favorites in this collection. They are so inexpensive and can be used for water, wine, cocktails, etc. I will mention that they are delicate, which I honestly love, but if you are rough on glasses, please take note of this.

I’ll let the other glasses speak for themselves. Some are pricey and some are inexpensive. If they are pricey, it’s for a good reason; it’s because they are a show-stopper of a glass.

One other thing worth mentioning is that you can find beautiful glassware at thrift stores for basically nothing. If you’re looking to save money, shop your local thrift store for glassware. You will not be disappointed.

Kitchen Essentials – Cookware/Bakeware:

In terms of cookware, Staub is my go-to whenever possible. Their bakers and cast iron pieces are investments, but worth every penny. They should last you a lifetime. I also love the Goldtouch line at Williams-Sonoma for all of my baking sheets and pans. I honestly can’t say if they are “better” than others, but I love how they perform and I love the color. I think I have most of the collection. I didn’t link them all below, but I did share some of my favorites.

All-Clad Cookeware
Staub Cocoette / Dutch Oven
Staub White Rectangular Baking Dishes
Goldtouch Baking Pans
Silicone Baking Mat
Parchment Paper Sheets
Bakery Muffin Liners
Ruffled Pie Dish
Mollie Jenkins Mixing Bowls (These were custom made for me, and Molly loved the design so much they were added to her permanent collection!)

Kitchen Essentials – Kitchen Tools:

Well-functioning kitchen tools are a must for any kitchen essentials list. When it comes to knives, Zwilling is a go-to for me. Their knife block sits on my counter and I have spent the last few years filling up my knife block with the knives I love and use the most.

The rest of this list is comprised of things I’m constantly reaching for when I’m in the kitchen. Things like a spatula, tongs, measuring cups, juicers, etc. These are either handy tools to make preparation easier or common tools that I feel work really well. Having the right tools that function well makes all the difference.

Kitchen Essentials – Serveware:

I’d say that 95% of my serveware is white or off-white. Again, this is for the same reason I have white dinnerware. Food looks best on white. Exceptions to this rule are wood serving pieces and black serving pieces. I have a few of the wood or black serveware pieces sprinkled in below for a little variety. Certain foods can really shine on these surfaces as well.

You’ll notice the collection I listed below has various shapes and sizes. I think it’s nice to have a collection of varied pieces. You never know what you’re going to need. I also have some vintage ironstone and other vintage pieces I like to use for serving as well.

Kitchen Essentials – Storage:

Anytime I share a picture of my butler’s pantry, I always get asked about the wood-topped glass canisters I have for my flour and sugar. I get it. They are so pretty and they function really well too! For me, kitchen storage needs to be functional and pretty.

With the exception of my OXO Pop Canister which I use for dry storage, I try to use mostly glass wherever I can. I just prefer the look, feel, and how well glass cleans. (No red spaghetti sauce-stained plastic containers in this kitchen.) I’ve also listed things for storing leftovers, vegetables, fruits, etc.

Kitchen Essentials – Small Appliances:

Generally speaking, I’m a big fan of KitchenAid appliances. (Their new cordless hand mixer is a dream!) I adore this food processor. (FYI – I specifically bought this particular one because it’s the one Ina Garten uses and the “Queen of the Kitchen” wouldn’t use anything less than the best!)

I don’t have a ton of small appliances, but the ones I do have I really like and do use. Throughout the years I’ve tried many. These are the are the workhorses in my kitchen that never let me down.

Kitchen Essentials – Cleaning:

The start to a beautiful kitchen is a clean kitchen. These are some of the products and tools that I used, love and recommend. If a product is marked with an *MHC that means it’s from one of my favorite stores: The Maple House Co! You can use coupon code “INSPIRED10” to save 10% on your order. Happy Shopping!

Kitchen Essentials – Ingredients:

I wasn’t sure if I should share pantry staples and ingredients, but there are a few that are must-haves in my kitchen, so I decided to included them in this list.

AmeriColor Get Food Coloring
Maldon Sea Salt Flakes (I but the tub, but a smaller version is HERE.)
Nielsen-Massey Pure Vanilla Extract
Stumptown French Roast Coffee Beans
Finding Home Farms Maple Syrup

Kitchen Essentials – Other:

There are a few kitchen essentials that just didn’t fit anywhere else so I needed a miscellaneous section. This list contains items that are FUNctional (fun and functional) or items that are just a must-have for me. For example, my Sonos speaker is one of these items. Great tunes are a must in the kitchen so a good speak is essential.

Kitchen Essentials – Vintage:

Finally, I wanted to add that not everything in your kitchen needs to be new in order to be beautiful and functional. In fact, some of my favorite kitchen tools are vintage finds. These are a bit harder to source in a blog post, but some of my favorite vintage kitchen essentials include:

rolling pins
cutting board
mixing bowls
glassware
dinnerware
serving pieces
table linens
measuring spoons
pie plates

I’ve found that vintage items were built to last. If they are still in good quality after 50+ years, you know they are going to last you a lifetime.

Side note: I talk a lot about vintage treasures here on Inspired by Charm. If you’re looking for more on this topic that goes beyond kitchen decor, tools, and accessories, check out these posts below:

I did my best to link things where I could, but the results will be a bit more general. When it comes to finding vintage kitchen essentials, I recommend checking local thrift and antique stores. For me, it helps to see and feel an item to know if it’s going to be a good fit for my space.

That’s a Wrap on My Kitchen Essentials!

If there is a tool, gadget, serving piece, etc. that’s not on my list and you’re curious about it, leave a comment below. Certain products may have skipped my mind. I’m also happy to test out other things that could be added to this best kitchen essentials list. There are a lot of pieces in the kitchen so there is still work to be done.

Curious about something else in my kitchen like paint colors, light fixtures, cabinetry hardware, countertops, etc.? I did a full post with source list which you can find HERE.

With all that being said, I hope you found this list immensely helpful. As I mentioned above, the kitchen is one of my favorite places to be and I rely on quality products that do the job their designed to do. I can recommend each of these items with the upmost confidence.

Are there any kitchen essentials/favorites items you’d like to see or hear about? Let me know in the comments below.

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Why You Need a Playlist of Your Favorite Songs

Life

Wednesday
May / 12 / 2021
Comments 2

Why You Need a Playlist of Your Favorite Songs #music #playlist #bestsongs #favoritesongs #spotify #tunes #tuesdaytunes

You need to have a playlist of your favorite songs. Yes, you do, and in this post I’m going to tell you why. Plus, I’m sharing my playlist of my favorite songs with you.

As you know, I’ve been sharing playlists on Inspired by Charm for years. Music is a big part of my life, so it’s naturally a big part of the blog too. Recently, my go-to playlist has been My Ultimate Folk Playlist. However, I wanted to switch it up and rock out to some new tunes. I was also thinking about some of my favorite songs, and decided that I needed a playlist with all of my favorites. Well, that’s exactly what I did. I took about 15 or 30 minutes to get the playlist started and filled it with any song that I could think of that I absolutely love.

Why You Need a Playlist of Your Favorite Songs:

I suppose that this is something I should’ve done a long time ago, but it obviously hadn’t occurred to me until recently. I ended up creating this playlist when I was having a rough time with life. Things just felt kind of out of sorts: I was in a bad mood, I was easily irritated, and honestly just kind of sad.

Let me tell you friends, it is amazing what five hours worth of your favorite music can do to change your mood and lift your spirits. It’s life-changing. (And yes, as of right now, this playlist is 5+ hours long and I assume it will continue to grow.)

Just imagine a playlist that is perfectly tailored to you, a playlist where you know every single word to every single song. It’s joy-inducing.

I love this playlist so much that I’ve been listening to it nonstop since I created it. This is both a blessing and a curse as I have a tendency to wear things out pretty quickly. In fact, I’m almost thinking about making a new playlist for spring and summer just so I have something else to listen to. But, when I think about it, can you really overplay your all-time favorite songs?

My Favorite Songs of All Time:

I share this playlist sort of cautiously because chances are no one else may like it. After all, it was created specifically for me. However, after experiencing the joy that this playlist has brought me, sharing it almost felt like an obligation.

Now, if you decide to have a listen, I’m going tell you this in advance: this playlist is extremely unique. There are country songs, songs from the 80s and 90s, contemporary songs, slow songs, fast songs, and it goes on from there.

In fact, as I was putting together this playlist, I was reminded of one of my favorite “eras” of music. (I use the word “era” loosely here.) But it was back when Dawson’s Creek was on the air and I absolutely loved every song they played on the show. I assume there was internet at that time because I vaguely remember trying desperately to figure out what every song was. (Unfortunately we didn’t have Shazam back then.)

A couple years ago I read Amy Poehler’s Yes Please (highly recommend by the way), and in one of the chapters she talked about time travel and about how very real and possible it is. I think about this chapter’s message constantly. I’m always thinking of ways I can time travel in my everyday life. Songs on this playlist allow me to time travel back to some of the most cherished moments of my life. Who knew a playlist could have so much power.

With all that being said, if you still want to give my playlist a listen, you can find it HERE. As always, I use Spotify to create my playlist and listen to my music. (If you like this playlist, or any of my other playlist, you can follow me on Spotify HERE. I have dozens of playlists!) I know everyone has their favorite music streaming service, and Spotify happens to be mine. I’ve also embedded a music player widget into this blog post. I don’t think they allow you to listen to a song in its entirety in the widget, but it will give you an idea of what you’ll find if you want to listen to more.

If you do listen, I would be very curious to know if you enjoy the playlist . Who knows, we may just have the same taste in music. Maybe we’re meant to be best friends!

Want more playlists from yours truly? You can find all of my playlists HERE.

But that’s not the point here. If you don’t have a playlist of all your favorite songs, go create it NOW. I promise it will become a new go-to. Use it whenever your feeling out of sorts, irritated, or sad. It’s an instant mood booster. Use it when you want to time travel. Use it whenever you need it.

Happy listening, friends!

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How to Grow a Coleus Topiary

Interiors

Monday
May / 10 / 2021
Comments 30

Learn how to make a beautiful and eye-catching Coleus Topiary. I’m walking you through the step-by-step process on how to make this stunning addition for your home and garden.

How to Grow a Coleus Topiary

Did you know you could turn coleus into a topiary? Well, you can, and the end results are stunning. (If this is new to you, don’t feel bad because I just found out this year too.)

This post is a little different in that I don’t have a completed project to share with you. I didn’t want to wait until the end of summer to write this post because then you couldn’t enjoy the project with me and hopefully try if for yourself. So, I decided to write the post now and will continue to update it as I grow my coleus topiary. I think it will be a fun way to do a project together.

To give you an idea of how a completed topiary will look, I have included some images of the final result, so you have an idea of where we are headed. I’ve sourced all of the photos to their original creator and hope to eventually replace them with the results of my own coleus topiary journey.

Image Source: NY Topiary

Images Source: Better Home & Gardens

As you can see, the results of this project are truly stunning. Coleus come in a variety of colors, leaf shapes, textures, etc. While I had originally intended to only grow 2-3 of these Coleus Topiaries, I ended up with 12. I just couldn’t resist all of the beautiful coleus varieties. Plus, I wanted to ensure I had several successful topiaries (so if one or two don’t make it, I’ll be certain to have a few that do).

With all that being said, let’s get into the process. I hope you’ll purchase some coleus plants and come along on this creative adventure with me!

Growing a Coleus Topiary:

1. Buy A Coleus Plant
You’ll need a coleus plant to start. If you’re feeling extra ambitious, you’re welcome to start your coleus plant from seed. If not, most garden centers and nurseries sell coleus. It is available in a variety of colors, sizes, leaf styles, etc. This process of creating a topiary should work with any of the coleus varieties, so choose the one you like best.

If you want a particular height for your final topiary be sure to check the tag to see the max growth height for the variety you are selecting.

Also, I like to select a plant with an obvious center stem/trunk like the plant pictured above. I found these pretty easy to find, though one of my coleus had several main stems/trunks. This style will work too, but first you will need to eliminate all of the stems but one.

2. Pot Your Coleus
Next, plant your coleus in your chosen pot. I don’t like to go too big to start, but want to make sure the plant’s roots have enough room. Keep in mind that you will likely need to replant your topiary as it grows.

Choose a heavy pot as eventually your plant will be top heavy and the right pot will help to prevent your topiary from falling over.

3. Pinch Leaves
Once potted, choose one stem to serve as your trunk. Then, remove all of the other stems with pruning shears. Coleus stems can be very fragile, so take your time and be patient.

If there are single leaves on your main truck you can leave those on the trunk as they will help fuel the plant’s growth. You can remove them later or they may eventually just fall off on their own.

4. Stake Your Coleus
To help support your topiary during it’s growth, insert a stake with a length close to the desired height (around 2-3 feet) in the pot near the trunk. (I’m using these bamboo stakes.) Attach the trunk to the stake with garden ties.

As the plant grows, continue to attach the trunk to your stake. Over time, the main stem will harden and become more of a woody trunk. Even at this stage, the trunk isn’t super sturdy, so the stake will be essential for the life of the plant.

5. Pruning Your Topiary
In addition to continuing to attach the trunk of the coleus to the stake as it grows, you’ll also want to continue pruning off any additional stems that will emerge. You’ll just want a cluster of leaves at the top which will eventually result in a foliage-free trunk.

Once your topiary reaches close to the desired height for your project, pinch off the top. This will stimulate more branching from from the cluster of leaves at the top which will eventually form your topiary.

Then, as your topiary ball starts to grow and form, continue to pinch the stem tips at the top of the plant. This will help to create a dense ball of foliage.

You’ll also want to pinch off any flower spikes. You want the plant to put the energy into the foliage; the flowers will will drain the plant of resources.

6. Be Patient and Have Fun
Like any topiary, this process doesn’t happen over night. I’m assuming this will take an entire summer and then some. If you want beautiful results, know that this process will take time.

Other Helpful Coleus Topiary Growing Tips:

Summer Sunlight:
Your coleus with thrive in moderate light to shade during the summer months.

Winter Sunlight:
Coleus prefers brighter light in the winter with several hours of direct sunlight.

Watering:
Water regularly as coleus tend to be thirsty plants. Do not overwater or allow the coleus to sit in soaking water as this can cause the stem to rot.

Fertilizer:
Use a 10-10-10 water-soluble fertilizer at 1/4 strength every week from March to October.

Outdoor Care:
Avoid strong winds and heavy rain as these can damage your coleus.

Repotting:
As your topiary grows, it’s likely that you’ll need to repot it at least once or twice a year.

Winterize:
I know that coleus grow fairly quickly, but I’m not sure exactly how much progress we’ll make in one summer. The good news: you can bring a coleus inside during the winter months and it will continue to grow and thrive. (Or so I’ve been told.)

And that’s it!

Looking for more unique garden projects? Try these:

While your coleus topiary will take some patience and care, the end results will be worth it.

As you can see from my photos in this post, I’m still in the early stages of this process. When I have significant updates to share, I will republish this post to the main page of my website. You can also follow me on Instagram @inspiredbycharm and/or subscribe to the IBC Mailing List to stay up-to-date on my topiaries’ growth.

I hope you’ll join me in growing a beautiful coleus topiary (or in my case, 12 beautiful coleus topiaries). Ha!

Coleus Topiary UPDATE:

Here’s is a look at how my topiaries were doing about 3/4th of the way through the season. I had intentions of taking more pictures but they were hit by frost and destroyed. I really loved this process and plan to do it again this year.

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Roasted Zucchini Panzanella

Recipes

Friday
May / 7 / 2021
Comments 3

If you are looking for a delicious summer salad recipe, look no further than this Roasted Zucchini Panzanella. I mean, what’s not to love about a salad made with toasted bread?

Roasted Zucchini Panzanella

Anyone else love panzanella as much as I do? If you’re not familiar with panzanella, it is a Tuscan tossed salad made with soaked stale bread, tomatoes, onions, cheese, etc. Does this sound delicious? It is!!!

I shared a unique panzanella recipe a few years ago in which avocado was the star ingredient. That recipe is delicious. You can find it HERE. I also have another bread salad HERE made with bread, radicchio, blue cheese, and pancetta! So good!

Anyway, I wanted to make bread salad again, but thought I would switch it up and try something new which lead me to this Roasted Zucchini Panzanella.

The base for the recipe is the same, I just used roasted zucchini. The combination is tasty, plus it’s a great way to use up all that zucchini when your garden is producing more than you know what to do with.

As far as the other vegetables in this salad, I used tomatoes, green pepper, and red onion. One of the great things about panzanella is you can use whatever vegetables you love. If you want to substitute an ingredient, go for it. Have a vegetable you need to use up in the refrigerator, toss it in. Make it your own.

There is so much to love about this unique salad. I hope you’ll give it a try. Let me walk you through the recipe.

Looking for more tasty summer salad recipes? You’re in luck because I have an entire post dedicated to my favorites. You can find those HERE.

How to Make Roasted Zucchini Panzanella

Start by roasting the zucchini. (There is a full ingredient list as well as detailed instructions in the printable recipe card below.)

Place the zucchini onto a baking sheet and drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Bake at 400 degrees for about 25-28 minutes stirring halfway through. The zucchini should be lightly browned and tender, but not mushy.

In a large bowl, add the bread cubes and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Toss to combine. Transfer to a baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees until lightly browned. (About 12-14 minutes.) Stir once during the baking process.

Allow the zucchini and bread cubes to cool completely.

In a large bowl, add the roasted zucchini, toasted bread, tomatoes, green pepper, red onion, and mozzarella. In a small bowl or dressing container, whisk together the dressing ingredients until combined. Drizzle over the salad and toss gently to combine.

This Roasted Zucchini Panzanella is best served immediately. (Though, I enjoyed the leftover portion just as much the following day.)

And that’s it!

Looking for more brownie recipes? Try these:

As I mentioned above, this Roasted Zucchini Panzanella is best served right after you make it. However, I had some leftovers and really enjoyed it the next day for lunch – whatever tickles you taste buds.

Enjoy!

Looking for more tasty saladrecipes? Try these:

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Roasted Zucchini Panzanella

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!

Course: Appetizer, Salad

Cuisine: American, Italian

Keyword: bread salad, panzanella, salad, zucchini

Servings:

Prep Time 20 mins

Total Time 20 mins

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If you are looking for a delicious summer salad recipe, look no further than this Roasted Zucchini Panzanella. I mean, what's not to love about a salad made with toasted bread?

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Ingredients

3 medium zucchinis - cut into 1/4 inch slices
2 tablespoons olive oil - divided
1 bread baguette - cubed (about 10 ounces)
1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes - halved
1 green pepper - chopped
1/2 red onion - sliced thinly
1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese pearls - about 8 ounces
salt and pepper to taste

Dressing:

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 clove garlic - minced
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground pepper

Instructions

Start by roasting the zucchini. Place the zucchini onto a baking sheet and drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Bake at 400 degrees for about 25-28 minutes stirring halfway through. The zucchini should be lightly browned and tender, but not mushy.
In a large bowl, add the bread cubes and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Toss to combine. Transfer to a baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees until lightly browned. (About 12-14 minutes.) Stir once during the baking process.
Allow the zucchini and bread cubes to cool completely.
In a large bowl, add the roasted zucchini, toasted bread, tomatoes, green pepper, red onion, and mozzarella. In a small bowl or dressing container, whisk together the dressing ingredients until combined. Drizzle over the salad and toss gently to combine. This Roasted Zucchini Panzanella is best served immediately. (Though, I enjoyed the leftover portion just as much the following day.)

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 209kcal • Carbohydrates: 19g • Protein: 7g • Fat: 12g • Saturated Fat: 3g • Cholesterol: 13mg • Sodium: 501mg • Potassium: 284mg • Fiber: 2g • Sugar: 5g • Vitamin A: 389IU • Vitamin C: 26mg • Calcium: 125mg • Iron: 1mg

Made it? Share it!Tag @inspiredbycharm on Instagram and use the tag #myIBC so we can see what you're cooking in the kitchen!

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Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies

Recipes

Wednesday
May / 5 / 2021
Comments 10

These Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies combine two classic desserts into one epic sweet treat. These bars of ooey-gooey goodness will quickly become your new favorite way to make brownies.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies:

It’s official, from this point on, all brownies should be topped with chocolate chip cookies. I’m kicking myself for not trying these Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies sooner because they are so delicious.

Over the past couple of years I’ve seen several versions of this recipe on the internet. After doing some research and testing, I put together a delectable, easy, and approachable recipe anyone can use to whip up this sweet combo.

While delicious any time of the year, this is one of those recipes I love for the summer months. It’s a quick go-to that will complement any picnic, summer party, road trip, or impromptu gathering at home.

Another great thing about this recipe is that many of the ingredients are pantry and refrigerator staples. As long as you have some good chocolate, you’ll be all set! You can whip these brownies up in a moment’s notice and you’ll be ready with a treat that everyone is going to love.

With that being said, let me walk you through the recipe for these tasty bars.

How to Make Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies:

Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare a 9 x 13 pan by spraying it with baking spray, then lining it with parchment paper, and finally, spraying it again. Set aside.

To make the cookie dough, use a medium-sized bowl and whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. (There is a full ingredient list as well as detailed instructions in the printable recipe card below.)

In a large bowl, beat together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar on medium-high until light and fluffy. Then, beat in the egg and vanilla extract. Reduce the speed to low and mix in the flour mixture until just incorporated. Stir in the chocolate chips until evenly combined.

Next, prepare the brownie batter by melting the butter and chocolate in a heat-proof bowl set over a pot of simmering water. Remove from the heat and then whisk in the sugar. Whisk in the eggs one at a time until combined. Whisk in the cocoa powder, salt, and vanilla. Then use a spatula to fold in the flour until combined.

Pour the brownie batter into your prepared pan. Smooth and level the top with a spatula. Then, crumble the cookie dough evenly over the batter.

Lightly cover with a piece of foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 28-30 minutes.

Allow to cool completely on a wire rack. Lift the brownies out using the parchment paper and cut into squares. Store extras in an airtight container for 3-4 days.

That’s it my friends. Pretty simple, right? As much as I have enjoyed a boxed brownie mix, I may never go back.

And, if you want to take these Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies to the next level, might I suggest topping them with vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of hot fudge? You’ll be glad you did!

No matter how you serve them, I hope you give this recipe a try.

Looking for more brownie recipes? Try these:

As always, happy baking from my kitchen to yours.

Connect with Michael! Instagram // Facebook // Pinterest // Twitter

Have you tried this recipe? Follow me on Instagram, then share YOUR dish with #myIBC and tag @inspiredbycharm. It’s fun to see how folks are using recipes from IBC.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies Recipe:

Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: brownies, chocolate chip cookies, Christmas cookies, dessert

Servings:

Prep Time 20 mins

Cook Time 50 mins

Total Time 1 hr 10 mins

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These Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies combine two classic desserts into one epic sweet treat. These bars of ooey-gooey goodness will quickly become your new favorite way to make brownies.

Pin It!