This fudgy Brownie Bites Recipe is easy to make from scratch and has a gooey center that stays soft, like mini lava-filled cookie cups!
author’s note
Gooey Centers. Chewy Edges. All Chocolate.
Brownies and cookies are my top two desserts (I know, classic combo). So why not mix the two into one epic treat? I was craving something chocolatey but didn’t want to commit to a full batch of either, so these were born. And honestly? They might be my new favorite.
Each mini bite has that rich, chewy brownie texture with a gooey chocolate center, like a molten lava cake in cookie form. Yes, please.
They’re made from scratch but come together fast, which is key when you need a chocolate fix right away.
Brownie Bites Recipe Ingredients
| Ingredient | Helpful Tip |
|---|---|
| Flour | Spoon and level to avoid adding too much. |
| Dutch-Process Cocoa Powder | Dutch-process is important here for the best chocolate flavor and texture. |
| Brown & Granulated Sugar | This combination gives the bites sweetness, moisture, and chewy edges. |
| Baking Powder | Adds just enough lift without making them cakey. |
| Chocolate Chips | Melt with the butter to create the rich brownie base. Then use mini chocolate chips to mix throughout the dough. |
| Unsalted Butter | Melt with the chocolate chips until completely smooth. |
| Egg | Let the melted chocolate cool before mixing it in. |
| Chocolate Bar | Place a small piece on each bite for a soft, gooey center. I love Lindt chocolate. |
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 This Brownie Bites Recipe
- 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.
chelsea’s recipe tips
Tips For Success
- Prep the Pan: Spray a mini muffin pan well with cooking spray. If it tends to stick, sprinkle a little dusting cocoa powder or flour on top.
- Cocoa Choice: Use Dutch-process cocoa for a stronger chocolate flavor—it makes this brownie bites recipe taste even better.
- Cooling Time: Let the bites cool for 45 minutes to an hour. The centers stay soft from the chocolate bar and slowly set as they cool.
Storage
Keep this brownie bites recipe in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week. Microwave for 5–10 seconds to bring back the gooey center.
More Chocolate Desserts:
Desserts
Chocolate Muffin Recipe
Desserts
Chocolate Pudding Pie
Desserts
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Cookies
Chocolate Oreo Cookies
Brownie Bites
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 mini chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 large egg
- 1 (4 ounce) dark chocolate bar or a milk chocolate bar; I like Lindt bars
- Flaky sea salt optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. 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 1 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
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
These are in the oven right now, I can’t wait. I just wanted to make a quick comment before I forgot. The recipe itself doesn’t tell you where to use the mini chocolate chips. I had to scroll back up into the blog to figure that out. thankfully, I’d only scooped two scoops of brownies into the muffin tin and was able to pull it all back out and mix them in 😉
Thank you so much for catching that, and I’m sorry for the confusion! I’m glad you caught it before they went in the oven! Hope you love the brownie bites!
OMG i love these,im gonna make them again soon😍
Yay! So happy to hear this! 🙂
Hi how long do these stay goey ?
It depends on the temp of you home, but a couple hours
These fudgy molten lava brookie cups are so Instagrammable and adorable! As you know I made it a short while ago and it was lovely! Thx for sharing!
OMG I cannot wait try these at home! They are so cute! Thanks for sharing!
I almost took a bite out of my screen! These look so ah-mazing!!!
WHEN AM I COMING OVER????!
Oh my GAWD-I also am a huuuuuge fan of lava cakes and girrrrl….these brookie cups….what the heck….you’re a goddess! I bow down to you!
Molten lava cakes are my FAVOURITE!!!!! These look absolutely AMAZING, Chelsea! I have to make this recipe her win Brazil for my family! They love when I make something that is not very popular here in Brazil cause they enjoy to try new things. I’ll pin it for later 😉
Ok, so when I went to pin these little cuties, I had to literally pin them onto three different boards so I would be certain that I could trace back to them (brownies, cookies and cake). That is just how insane they are! You are slowly taking over my Pinterest account. 🙂
This looks like the most sinful chocolate dessert ever! Amazing!