These fudgy Brownie Bites are easy to make from scratch and have a gooey center that stays soft—mini lava-filled cookie cups!
The Best Brownie Bites
Brownies and cookies are my top two desserts (yes, I know, cliché). Now imagine combining them into one treat—cookie-brownie deliciousness. This could be my new favorite!
These mini bites have the chewy brownie texture and a gooey chocolate center. Think molten lava cake, but in cookie form. Yes, please!
Made from scratch, but super simple, these Brownie Bites come together fast and taste amazing.
Ingredients In Brownie Bites
- Butter: Use softened butter for easy mixing!
- Sugar: Use a mix of granulated and brown sugar for the perfect balance of sweetness and moisture.
- Eggs: Don’t overmix after adding the eggs to keep them soft.
- Flour: Be careful not to overmeasure—scoop and level your flour.
- Cocoa Powder: Use high-quality cocoa for the best flavor.
- Chocolate Chips: Don’t skimp on the chocolate chips—more is always better!
- Baking Powder: Helps the bites rise slightly, giving them that perfect chewy texture.
- Lindt or chocolate bar: Melts in the middle of the brownie bites, creating a gooey center.
Quick Tip
Why microwave chocolate in intervals? Microwaving continuously can scorch the chocolate, compromising its flavor and texture. By pausing to stir between short bursts, you evenly distribute the residual heat, preventing scorching. Trust me, it’s worth the extra care.!
How To Make Brownie Bites
- Combine dry ingredients: flour, cocoa powder, sugars, baking powder, salt, and mini chocolate chips.
- In a separate bowl, microwave semi-sweet chocolate chips and butter in 15-second intervals, stirring after each until smooth.
- Mix in the egg.
- Combine wet and dry mixtures, stirring until just combined.
- Scoop dough into mini muffin tins. Expect around 15 bites.
- Top each with a piece of chopped chocolate bar; no need to press in.
- Bake and enjoy when freshly out of the oven.
Tips For Success
- Prep the Pan: Generously spray a mini muffin tin with cooking spray. For pans prone to sticking, a light dusting of cocoa powder or flour helps. I highly recommend this mini muffin pan.
- Cocoa Choice: For a standout flavor, opt for Dutch-process cocoa powder over regular cocoa. It elevates the Brownie Bites’ taste. Here’s an article explaining why.
- Cooling Time: After baking, allow the Brownie Bites to set. The center remains soft for a while due to the chocolate bar used. Wait for around 45 minutes to an hour for the ideal chewy texture with a gooey center.
More Chocolate Desserts:
- Chocolate Cookie Recipe readers favorite
- Bakery Style Chocolate Muffins
- Best Chocolate Cake Recipe
- Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Chocolate Pudding Pie six ingredients
Brownie Bites
Fudgy, chocolate-packed Brownie Bites with a gooey molten center! These easy, from-scratch treats are like mini molten-lava cakes in bite-sized form.
Equipment
- Mini Muffin Pan not regular muffin pan
Ingredients
- Cooking spray
- 1/3 cup flour
- 1-1/2 tablespoons Dutch-process cocoa powder see note 1
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar firmly packed
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup miniature chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 large egg
- 1 (4 ounce) Lindt dark chocolate bar or a milk chocolate bar
- Maldon sea salt flakes optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350℉. Generously grease a mini muffin pan (these don’t work in regular-sized muffin tins) with cooking spray.
- Combine flour, cocoa powder, brown sugar, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and mini chocolate chips. Whisk to combine, then set aside.
- Use a separate, small microwave-safe bowl to combine semi-sweet chocolate chips with butter. Microwave for 25 seconds, stir for 15 seconds, and return to the microwave for another 15 seconds. Remove and stir until smooth (return to the microwave another 15 seconds as needed until melted). The mixture will be thick. Stir until smooth and back to room temperature. Add egg and stir again until smooth.
- Use a spatula to scrape all chocolate mixture into dry ingredients. Mix until completely combined. Keep stirring until you have a thick dough. Scrape edges of the bowl as needed, and don’t overmix.
- Use a tablespoon measuring spoon to measure out dough and place in each mini muffin pan cavity. You should get 15 brownie bites. Open chocolate bar; there should be large squares. Cut each chocolate square into 4 smaller squares and gently place one square into the top of each cookie. Don’t press down much; it doesn’t need to be covered by dough. Bake 10–12 minutes, and be careful to not overbake.
- Remove pan from oven and let stand 10–15 minutes or until firm enough to easily coax out of muffin pan. I use a small spoon and fork to gently pull them out. It’s okay if the middle sinks a little. Because we’re using a chocolate bar instead of chocolate chips (which are resistant to melting), the chocolate should stay soft and gooey for about 45 minutes after baking. If you want gooey leftovers, microwave any remaining cookies 5–10 seconds. If you like salty-sweet flavors, add a sprinkle of Maldon sea salt flakes to the top of these. Enjoy warm.
Recipe Notes
Note 1: Brownie Bites need Dutch-process cocoa powder instead of standard cocoa; read the post for my favorite or use Hershey’s® Special Dark cocoa powder.
Storage: Store leftover brownie bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to a week. Warm slightly before serving for the best texture.
Nutrition
Serving: 15servings | Calories: 170kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 11mg | Potassium: 122mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 80IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 2mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
haha that’s something we would do – say we’re too full and then totally eat it in the car!
And OMG whoa. These look amazing!
These brownie bites look out of this world good!! I’ll definitely try making these this upcoming weekend!
Oh my GOD my chocolate cravings have kicked in after seeing these incredible images. These molten lava cups look definitely fudgy and wickedly delicious Chelsea!
GOODNESS!!! OMG. I feel like I can’t even get words out. Lol. Looks amazing girl!
Beautiful and indulgent brownie bites. Perfect. pinned!
These would be so dangerous in my hands! And I have zero patience, so would totally be picking at the filling before it’s properly set! Amazing, I want to grab one right out of my screen!
Mind blown, that’s what I am! These look SO good chelsea! Love how simple the ingredient list is as well! Pinned!
Holy goodness, Chelsea! These are insane! And I am totally on board for the “Molten Thursday” idea! Definitely making these ASAP!
Oh my gosh!!! These are a chocolate lover’s dream!!! I am dying to try this!!!
Wow!! These look amazing! I would have NO self control with these around! 🙂 And beautiful pictures!!