These fudgy Brownie Bites are easy to make from scratch and have 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.
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: 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 these Brownie Bites 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.
More Chocolate Desserts:
Desserts
Chocolate Muffin Recipe
Desserts
Chocolate Pudding Pie
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-size 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 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.
Final step! Please let us know how it was by leaving a review.
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.
Please tell me you saved me one. Seriously, these are causing fits of drool.
These are perfect and sounds like the perfect tradition to start! These would be insanely addicting and I don’t think I would be able to keep a large batch around in the house for self-control purposes.
These are brilliant!! I would devour the entire pan!! 🙂
These look awesome!
Absolute brilliance! I think I need lava cake Thursday in my life!
So yummy! I’m definitely trying these soon! I love the photos too. Absolutely beautiful 🙂
These look insane, in a very good way! I saw them via instagram this morning and was instantly craving chocolate 🙂
I so want these right now in a bowl with vanilla ice cream on top!!! They look to die for 🙂
Pinned! These look insane, Chelsea! Just saw them on FG, too! Want, no…NEED! these 🙂
oh man Chelsea these are so going into my holiday baking plans! As if I need to add more baking to that huge list but DUDE I am going to make room for these because they are brownies and cookies all in one awesome bite! 😀