If you’re looking to wow your friends with a playful twist on two classic desserts, Brownie Cookie Dough Cups with Caramel Drizzle are your dream come true. These cheerful little bites combine everything we love about brownies, cookie dough, and luscious caramel in one irresistible handheld treat. A fudgy brownie forms the base, each cup brimming with creamy, eggless cookie dough and crowned with golden caramel and (if you wish) a whisper of sea salt flakes. They’re the ultimate sweet pick-me-up that vanishes fast from any dessert platter!
Ingredients You’ll Need
To whip up Brownie Cookie Dough Cups with Caramel Drizzle, you’ll only need a handful of staple ingredients, but each plays a starring role. Every element, from the darkly decadent brownie layer to the soft, dreamy cookie dough and the rich caramel, brings its magic to the final creation. Here’s what makes these treats so special:
- Brownie mix: The quickest route to fudgy brownie cups with consistent results every time.
- Eggs, oil, and water: Essential for bringing your brownie mix to life—follow package directions for quantities!
- Unsalted butter: Softened for the smoothest, creamiest cookie dough texture.
- Brown sugar: Packed for deeper, caramel-like sweetness that makes the dough taste like cookie heaven.
- Granulated sugar: Adds structure and a touch of classic cookie flavor to balance the brown sugar.
- Milk: Gives moisture and helps bind the dough without eggs.
- Vanilla extract: For essential, fragrant warmth that makes both brownie and dough taste homemade.
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of the cookie dough—remember, a quick heat treatment ensures it’s safe to eat unbaked!
- Salt: Just enough to tickle out all the flavors and keep these treats from being too sweet.
- Mini chocolate chips: Guaranteed little pops of chocolate in every delicious bite.
- Caramel sauce: Whether you go store-bought or homemade, this brings sticky-sweet decadence to every cup.
- Sea salt flakes (optional): For that chef’s-kiss finish and a contrast to the caramel drizzle.
How to Make Brownie Cookie Dough Cups with Caramel Drizzle
Step 1: Prep and Preheat
Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a mini muffin tin. This ensures nothing sticks and gives your brownie cups their signature bite-sized shape. Having everything ready makes the assembly fun and effortless!
Step 2: Mix and Bake Brownie Bases
Prepare the brownie batter just as directed on the box—no shortcuts here for that perfect fudgy texture. Spoon the batter into each muffin cup, filling them about two-thirds full. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the edges are set but the centers are still slightly gooey. Remove the tin and, while the brownies are warm, gently press the centers with a spoon to create a little well for your cookie dough.
Step 3: Cool and Remove Brownie Cups
Let the brownie cups cool completely in the tin. This step keeps them from crumbling and helps the cups pop out cleanly. A little patience goes a long way toward perfectly shaped treats ready for their cookie dough filling.
Step 4: Make the Edible Cookie Dough
While the brownies cool, beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until creamy and light. Mix in milk and vanilla extract for a silky-smooth base. Stir in the flour and salt, then add in those mini chocolate chips for cheerful bursts of chocolate. The result? Irresistible edible cookie dough you’ll have to resist eating right out of the bowl!
Step 5: Assemble and Fill
Once your brownie cups are room temperature, pop them gently from the muffin tin. Fill each cup with a spoonful of cookie dough, pressing lightly to fit. This is where the Brownie Cookie Dough Cups with Caramel Drizzle really come to life—a perfect duet of fudgy brownie and creamy cookie dough.
Step 6: Caramel Drizzle to Finish
Warm your caramel sauce slightly so it’s pourable and drizzle it over each filled cup. If you like, finish with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for a gourmet touch. A brief chill of 10 to 15 minutes sets the dough and caramel, making the cups easier to pick up (and slightly addictive).
How to Serve Brownie Cookie Dough Cups with Caramel Drizzle
Garnishes
A final flourish of sea salt flakes gives every bite a hint of sophistication, while extra chocolate chips or a dusting of cocoa powder can add eye appeal. For extra sparkle, try colorful sprinkles over the caramel drizzle—these Brownie Cookie Dough Cups with Caramel Drizzle are meant for sharing, after all!
Side Dishes
Pair these indulgent bites with a cold glass of milk or, for grown-up gatherings, serve alongside coffee or espresso. Fresh berries offer a tart contrast, while a scoop of vanilla or salted caramel ice cream can turn them into an over-the-top plated dessert.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange the Brownie Cookie Dough Cups with Caramel Drizzle on a pretty tiered dessert stand for parties, or wrap them individually in parchment and twine as sweet gifts. At bake sales or potlucks, line them up in cupcake liners for easy grabbing. You can even serve them warm with a fondue pot of extra caramel for drizzling fun.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Brownie Cookie Dough Cups with Caramel Drizzle in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll keep beautifully for up to 5 days, making them handy for lunchboxes or late-night cravings.
Freezing
These treats freeze fabulously! Pop them in a single layer in a freezer-safe container; they’ll keep for up to three months. For an even easier treat, freeze individually wrapped cups—just thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.
Reheating
If you prefer these cups slightly warm, give them about 10-15 seconds in the microwave straight from the fridge. The brownie softens, the caramel gets a little gooey, and the overall experience is ultra-comforting.
FAQs
Can I use homemade brownie batter instead of a mix?
Absolutely! If you have a brownie recipe you adore, feel free to swap it in. Just keep the batter thick enough for cups and adjust your bake time by a few minutes if needed.
Is it safe to eat raw flour in the cookie dough?
It’s recommended to heat-treat the flour for safety. Simply spread your flour on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 5 minutes, then let it cool before using in the dough.
Can I make Brownie Cookie Dough Cups with Caramel Drizzle gluten-free?
Yes! Use a gluten-free brownie mix and swap in a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend for the dough. Every other step remains the same, and you’ll still get that dreamy texture.
Can I use a regular-size muffin tin instead of mini?
You sure can, but remember your bake time will be longer—count on an extra 5-8 minutes in the oven, and plan for a richer, more decadent treat per cup!
What’s the best way to drizzle the caramel?
The simplest method is to use a spoon or a small zip-top bag with the corner snipped off for a perfect caramel stripe over each filled cup. Warm caramel drizzles more smoothly and evenly.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend enough that you treat yourself (and your loved ones) to a batch of Brownie Cookie Dough Cups with Caramel Drizzle. They’re joyful, decadent, and have a little something for everyone. Whether you serve them as party showstoppers or a simple family treat, you’ll want to make them again and again!
Print
Brownie Cookie Dough Cups with Caramel Drizzle Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 mini cups
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in these delightful Brownie Cookie Dough Cups with a luscious Caramel Drizzle for a sweet treat that combines the best of both worlds – brownies and cookie dough.
Ingredients
Brownie Cups:
- 1 box brownie mix (plus eggs, oil, and water as directed)
Cookie Dough Filling:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips
Additional:
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- Sea salt flakes for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat to 350°F and grease a mini muffin tin.
- Prepare brownie cups: Make brownie batter, fill muffin cups, bake, and shape into cups.
- Make cookie dough: Beat butter and sugars, add milk, vanilla, flour, and salt. Stir in chocolate chips.
- Assemble: Fill cooled brownie cups with cookie dough, top with caramel sauce and sea salt flakes.
- Chill: Refrigerate for 10–15 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Homemade brownie batter can be used.
- For a softer cookie dough, add an extra tablespoon of milk.
- For safety, heat-treat flour by baking at 350°F for 5 minutes before using.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 105mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
