If you’re craving something rich, chocolaty, and delightfully bite-sized, you’re going to love this Fudgy Brownie Bites with Chocolate Chips Recipe. I absolutely love how these brownie bites come out dense and fudgy—just the right kind of indulgence that melts in your mouth. They’re perfect for sharing, or for sneaking a few as you think no one’s watching (trust me, I’ve been there). Stick around and I’ll walk you through how to get that perfect fudgy texture every time, plus some tips I’ve learned along the way to make sure you succeed.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ridiculously Fudgy Texture: The secret is in melting the butter and cocoa together, giving you that luxurious, dense bite you’ll keep coming back to.
- Easy and Quick to Whip Up: You’ll have these in the oven in under 15 minutes—perfect for last-minute cravings or a fun weekend project.
- Chocolate Chips Surprise: Adding chocolate chips inside each bite creates those pockets of melty goodness that make these extra special.
- Perfect Mini Portions: Bite-sized means you can enjoy them guilt-free or share easily without the mess.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients come together in such a simple way but pack a punch of flavor and texture. Don’t skip the espresso powder if you can—it adds an unexpectedly deep chocolate flavor that really makes these brownie bites sing.
- Unsalted Butter: Using softened butter helps it melt smoothly and blend perfectly with cocoa powder.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: I recommend a good-quality cocoa for that rich chocolate taste without added sugar.
- Espresso Powder (optional): Just a pinch amps up the chocolate flavor in a way you’ll love but won’t make it taste like coffee.
- Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and that delicious chewy texture while balancing the cocoa’s bitterness.
- Egg and Egg Yolk: The extra yolk keeps things fudgy and tender rather than cakey.
- Vanilla Extract: A splash enhances the depth of chocolate flavor.
- All-Purpose Flour: Just enough to hold these bites together without sacrificing the fudgy feel.
- Salt: One pinch to balance sweetness and bring out the chocolate.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: My favorite part—melty little pockets of chocolate inside every bite.
- Optional Sprinkles and Extra Melted Chocolate Chips: For garnish or drizzling to make these even more irresistible.
Variations
I love how versatile this Fudgy Brownie Bites with Chocolate Chips Recipe is—you can make it just how you like, swapping in what you have or customizing it for occasions. Don’t be afraid to experiment!
- Nutty Upgrade: Sometimes I toss in chopped walnuts or pecans for a delightful crunch that contrasts perfectly with the fudgy texture.
- Spicy Twist: Adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or cinnamon gives these brownie bites an unexpected warmth you might adore.
- Vegan Adaptation: I’ve tried using coconut oil instead of butter and a flax egg in place of regular eggs with decent results—just watch the texture as it can be less dense.
- Chocolate Chip Swap: Feel free to switch semi-sweet for dark, milk, or even white chocolate chips depending on your mood.
How to Make Fudgy Brownie Bites with Chocolate Chips Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Ingredients
First things first: preheat your oven to 325°F. I always find that setting this early helps smooth out the flow—plus, your mini muffin pan needs prep too. Either butter it generously or line it with mini cupcake liners to make removing the bites easy and mess-free.
Step 2: Melt Butter and Cocoa Together
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt your softened butter slowly. Once melted, add in the unsweetened cocoa powder, espresso powder if you’re using it, and brown sugar. Whisk everything together until it’s smooth and glossy. I discovered this trick helps the sugar dissolve better and creates that shiny, fudgy base you want.
Step 3: Cool and Add Eggs
Here’s a step you don’t want to skip: remove the pan from heat and let the mixture cool for at least 5 minutes. When I first tried skipping the cooling step, my eggs scrambled in the warm mixture—gross! Once cool, whisk in the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until fully combined and smooth.
Step 4: Fold in Flour, Salt, and Chocolate Chips
Gently fold the all-purpose flour and salt into your batter with a silicone spatula. Don’t overmix here; just combine until the flour disappears. Then fold in those semi-sweet chocolate chips—be sure the batter isn’t too hot or those chips will melt completely, losing that wonderful texture burst.
Step 5: Scoop and Bake
Using a cookie scoop, portion the batter evenly into your prepared mini muffin pan. Each bite should be roughly the same size so they cook evenly. Bake for 10-12 minutes, keeping a close eye on them. The key here is not to overbake! You want them set but still super fudgy in the center. A toothpick will come out with moist crumbs but not wet batter.
Step 6: Cool and Serve
Let the brownie bites cool in the pan for 5 minutes before gently transferring them to a wire rack. You can serve them warm for gooey chocolate bliss or cool completely if you want to drizzle with extra melted chips and sprinkle on fun toppings.
Pro Tips for Making Fudgy Brownie Bites with Chocolate Chips Recipe
- Don’t Skimp on Cooling: Letting the butter and cocoa mixture cool before adding eggs stops scrambling and keeps a silky texture.
- Watch Your Bake Time: Overbaking is the quickest way to lose fudginess—remove brownies when a toothpick shows moist crumbs, not dry.
- Use a Cookie Scoop: This ensures even portions so your brownie bites bake uniformly and look great.
- Line or Grease Your Pan Well: It makes removing the mini brownies a thousand times easier and prevents breakage.
How to Serve Fudgy Brownie Bites with Chocolate Chips Recipe
Garnishes
I often keep it simple—just a light sprinkle of powdered sugar or a quick drizzle of melted chocolate chips. Sometimes, for a party, I’ll top with festive sprinkles or even a tiny bit of sea salt to bring out the chocolate flavors. These little touches instantly make the bites feel extra special.
Side Dishes
While these brownie bites basically stand on their own as a dessert, I do love pairing them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an elevated treat. Fresh berries also add a refreshing contrast if you want something fruity alongside.
Creative Ways to Present
For birthdays or special occasions, I serve these brownie bites on a beautiful tiered stand with colorful sprinkles on top. You could also arrange them in mini cupcake liners inside decorative gift boxes for a sweet homemade gift that’s always a hit.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover brownie bites store wonderfully at room temperature inside an airtight container for up to 3-4 days—though, full disclosure, I’ve never had them last that long. If you want to keep them fresh, make sure your container seals tightly to avoid drying out.
Freezing
If you want to prep ahead or save extras, you can freeze these once they’re completely cooled. Place them in an airtight freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. When you’re ready, just thaw them at room temperature or gently warm in the microwave.
Reheating
I like reheating leftover brownie bites in short bursts in the microwave—about 10 seconds at a time—to warm them without drying out. They come back almost as good as fresh, and that melty chocolate chip surprise is still totally there.
FAQs
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Can I make this Fudgy Brownie Bites with Chocolate Chips Recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely! Just swap out the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend suited for baking. I recommend blends that contain xanthan gum to help hold the brownie bites together. The texture might be a touch different but still deliciously fudgy.
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Why are my brownie bites not fudgy?
Most often, overbaking is the culprit. Brownie bites dry out quickly, so keep an eye on them and remove when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs. Also, make sure not to skip letting the batter cool before adding eggs, as overheating can affect texture.
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Can I use milk chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet?
Yes! Milk chocolate chips will make your brownie bites sweeter and creamier. Just keep in mind that milk chocolate melts faster, so add them once the batter has cooled to preserve those little pockets of chocolate.
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How do I prevent the eggs from scrambling?
This happens if the melted butter mixture is too hot when adding eggs. The best way to avoid this is to remove the pan from heat and let the mixture cool about 5 minutes. You want it warm but not hot. Whisk in eggs slowly, and you’ll have no trouble.
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Can I bake these in a regular muffin pan?
You could, but keep in mind the bake time will change and the bites won’t be mini anymore. They’ll be thicker and may need 20+ minutes, so you’ll want to watch closely and test for doneness to keep that fudgy texture.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, this Fudgy Brownie Bites with Chocolate Chips Recipe is one of those go-to desserts I keep returning to whenever I want something quick, easy, and totally satisfying. I love how the chocolate chips inside surprise you with melty goodness and those bites are just the right size for sharing (or not—that’s okay too!). I hope you try it out and enjoy the fudgy, chocolaty magic as much as my family and I do. If you make them, come back and let me know how they turned out—I’m rooting for your baking success!
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Fudgy Brownie Bites with Chocolate Chips Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 brownie bites 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Brownie Bites are fudgy, rich, and perfectly portioned mini brownies that are easy to make and ideal for snacking or serving at parties. Made with a luscious combination of cocoa, brown sugar, and semi-sweet chocolate chips, these bites have a deep chocolate flavor with a tender, gooey center. Perfect for when you want homemade brownies in a convenient miniature form!
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup (plus 3 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 egg
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ teaspoon espresso powder (optional, adds deeper flavor)
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 pinch salt
Add-ins and Garnish
- ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Optional: sprinkles and extra melted chocolate chips for drizzling
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Butter a mini muffin pan or line it with mini cupcake liners, then set aside to be ready for the batter.
- Melt and Combine Base Ingredients: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Add the unsweetened cocoa powder, optional espresso powder, and brown sugar. Whisk continuously until the mixture is smooth, shiny, and well combined.
- Cool and Add Eggs: Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the chocolate mixture cool for at least 5 minutes. Once slightly cooled, whisk in the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually fold in the all-purpose flour and a pinch of salt using a silicone spatula. Make sure to mix gently for a tender crumb. Then fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips to add pockets of melted chocolate in each bite.
- Fill Muffin Pan: Use a cookie scoop or spoon to evenly portion the batter into the prepared mini muffin pan cups. Fill each about 3/4 full for the perfect size.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. The brownie bites should be set around the edges but still moist inside. Avoid overbaking to maintain the fudgy texture; a toothpick inserted should come out with moist crumbs.
- Cool: Let the brownie bites cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve and Garnish: Enjoy the brownie bites warm or after they’ve cooled. Optionally, decorate with sprinkles or drizzle with extra melted chocolate chips for an indulgent finish.
Notes
- Storage: Store brownie bites at room temperature in an airtight container for 3-4 days to keep them fresh.
- Freezing: Once fully cooled, freeze brownie bites in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months.
- Baking Tip: Do not overbake to preserve their fudgy texture; look for moist crumbs with a toothpick test.
- Chocolate Chips: Allow the batter to cool before folding in chocolate chips to prevent them from melting completely, preserving texture.
- Pan Prep: Properly grease the pan or use cupcake liners to ensure easy removal of the brownie bites.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brownie bite
- Calories: ninety-five
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 25mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 25mg