Brownie with cookies

Ingredients:

Layers of shortbread and cookie dough

• Cooking spray
• 24 squares of shortbread cookies (such as Lorna Doone)
• 1.5 cups premium flour
• 3/4 tsp baking soda
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 110 g unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup chocolate chip, peanut butter, and toffee baking mix
• 0.5 cup M&M's candies

Brownie layer

• 220 g unsalted butter
• 110 g semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 and 2/3 cups premium flour
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 0.5 tsp salt

Preparation:

1. Prepare a layer of shortbread cookies:
   
   Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with foil, leaving a 2-inch overhang on both short sides. Lightly spray the foil with cooking spray. Arrange the shortbread cookies in a single layer in the prepared pan.
2. Prepare a layer of cookie dough:
   
   In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. In a large bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar with a mixer on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, 3-5 minutes. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated. Reduce mixer speed to low, whisk in the flour mixture, and mix until smooth. Stir in the baking granules and M&M's.
3. Prepare the brownie layer:
   
   Melt the butter and chocolate in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Let cool slightly. Add the granulated sugar and eggs and stir until smooth and glossy. Add the flour, cocoa powder, and salt and stir until no lumps remain.
4. Spoon about half the brownie batter onto the shortbread cookie sheet and gently spread it out to form an even layer. Form small balls of the cookie dough and arrange them in a single layer on top of the brownie batter. Top with the remaining brownie batter to cover.
5. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the brownie comes out clean, 55 to 60 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool in the pan for 1 hour. Carefully remove the brownie from the pan using the foil tab; transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely. Slice the brownie into pieces.