Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownies

Thank heavens for Betty Crocker! A while back I found on Bakerella's site these amazing brownies that originated from the back of a cookie mix package. Bakerella made them even better by coating the top with a thick layer of chocolate ganache rather than plain 'ole chocolate frosting from a can, and let me tell you, that really was the icing on the cake! As if the brownies, bombarded with cookie dough in every bite, wasn't delectable enough, the rich, messy ganache will really send you into a sugar coma and drop you off at heaven's front gate! I was really, really heart broken sending off the rest of the brownies off to work with my husband, but my trading gym time for baking time has really done a number on my figure the past few weeks, so I had to bid adieu and sulk for the remainder of the day. Needless to say, I was head over heals with these brownies, I hope you will be too!
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownies

Yields 24

Brownies:

1 box Betty Crocker Original Supreme brownie mix (with chocolate syrup pouch)

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup water

2 eggs

1 pouch (1 pound 1.5 oz) Better Crocker chocolate chip cookie mix

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened

Chocolate Ganache:

12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips

3/4 cup heavy cream

6 tablespoons butter

1. Heat oven to 350º. Spray bottom only of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray, or grease with shortening. Make brownie mix as directed on box, using oil, water and 2 eggs. Spread in pan.

2. Make cookie mix as directed on pouch, using butter and 1 egg. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls evenly onto brownie batter; press down lightly.

3. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted 2 inches from side of pan comes out almost clean. Cool on cooling rack 30 minutes.

4. While the brownies are cooling, prepare the chocolate ganache: In a small saucepan, heat cream and butter until just before the boiling stage. Pour over the chocolate morsels. Let stand about 20 seconds and stir until smooth.

5. Pour and spread ganache evenly over brownies. Allow ganache to rest and set for a few hours. Cut into bars.