Recipe: Cookie Dough Brownies (brownie layer from scratch, brown sugar layer, and chocolate glaze)

COOKIE DOUGH BROWNIES

FOR THE BROWNIES:
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
FOR THE FILLING:
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar
2 tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup all purpose flour
FOR THE CHOCOLATE GLAZE:
1 (6 ounces) pkg semisweet chocolate chips
1 tbsp shortening
3/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

TO MAKE THE BROWNIES:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 13x9x2-inch baking pan.

In a mixing bowl, combine sugar, flour, cocoa and salt. Add oil, eggs and vanilla; beat at medium speed for 3 minutes. Stir in walnuts, if desired. Pour into prepared baking pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until brownies test done. Cool completely.

TO MAKE THE FILLING:
Cream butter and sugars in a mixing bowl. Add milk and vanilla; mix well. Beat in flour. Spread the filling over the cooled brownies; refrigerate until firm.

TO MAKE THE GLAZE:
Melt chocolate chips and shortening in a saucepan, stirring until smooth. Spread over filling. If desired, immediately sprinkle with nuts, pressing down slightly.

Cut into bars. Refrigerate leftovers.

Makes 3 dozen
Adapted from source: Tracie Anderson