If you have a love for all things chocolatey and sweet, then this Brownie Cookie Dough Cups with Caramel Drizzle Recipe is about to become your new obsession. Imagine bite-sized brownie bases baked to fudgy perfection, topped with rich, soft cookie dough packed with melty mini chocolate chips, and finished off with a luscious drizzle of warm caramel that adds that irresistible gooey touch. These delightful treats blend the best of brownies, cookie dough, and caramel into a single, crowd-pleasing dessert that’s perfect for sharing or savoring all on your own.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients might seem straightforward, but each one plays a crucial role in balancing the rich, chewy, and sweet elements of the dessert. From the brownie base to the creamy cookie dough and silky caramel, every item is essential to the magic of this recipe.
- 1 box brownie mix: The foundation of your cups, providing that fudgy, chocolaty base with minimal fuss.
- Ingredients required on the brownie box: Usually eggs, oil, and water, which bring your brownie mix to life with the right texture.
- 1 cup all-purpose flour: Adds structure to the cookie dough and keeps it soft yet firm enough to hold shape.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened: The secret to luscious, creamy cookie dough that melts in your mouth.
- 1/2 cup brown sugar: Offers a deep, caramel-like sweetness to the cookie dough.
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar: Balances out the sweetness and helps with that perfect cookie dough texture.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: A warm, aromatic boost that elevates every bite.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: Enhances all the flavors and keeps the sweetness in check.
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips: Little bursts of chocolate surprises you’ll love in every spoonful of cookie dough.
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce (for drizzling): The crowning glory that adds gooey richness and beautiful shine.
How to Make Brownie Cookie Dough Cups with Caramel Drizzle Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Brownie Base
Preheat your oven according to the instructions on the brownie mix box. Follow the package directions to mix your brownie batter, then pour it halfway into greased muffin tins. Baking in muffin tins creates the perfect size and shape for these cups. Once baked to fudgy perfection, let them cool completely before moving on to the next step. This cooling step is key so the cookie dough won’t melt when you add it.
Step 2: Make the Cookie Dough
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until your mixture is smooth and fluffy. This creates a soft, buttery base for the cookie dough. Then stir in the flour, vanilla extract, and salt until everything is fully incorporated and you have a tender dough. Finally, fold in the mini chocolate chips for delightful chocolate bites throughout your cookie dough.
Step 3: Assemble the Cups
Once the brownies are completely cooled, use a spoon to gently create a small indent or well in the center of each brownie cup without going all the way through. This little hollow is the perfect spot to nestle in a scoop of your chocolate chip cookie dough, adding an exciting layer and texture contrast.
Step 4: Drizzle with Caramel
Warm your caramel sauce briefly so it becomes pourable but not too hot. Drizzle the luscious caramel over each cookie dough-topped brownie cup. This final drizzle adds that extra sweet, sticky glaze that brings the whole dessert together in a divine finish.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
These are best savored fresh so the brownie remains soft, the cookie dough creamy, and the caramel decorative and gooey. Prepare for compliments because these irresistible treats are sure to be a highlight at any gathering!
How to Serve Brownie Cookie Dough Cups with Caramel Drizzle Recipe
Garnishes
To make your Brownie Cookie Dough Cups with Caramel Drizzle Recipe feel even more special, consider adding a sprinkle of flaky sea salt over the caramel drizzle for a perfect sweet-salty balance. You can also garnish with chopped toasted nuts or a tiny scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent touch.
Side Dishes
These cups are a dessert all on their own but serve wonderfully alongside a fresh fruit salad to cut through the richness or paired with a hot cup of coffee or tea to complement their sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, arrange the cups on a beautiful platter lined with parchment paper and drizzle a bit more caramel in an artistic swirl around them. You can even serve them in mini cupcake liners to make grabbing a piece easier and add an extra pop of color to your presentation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll keep well for up to 3 days and stay moist and delicious.
Freezing
You can freeze the brownie cups without the caramel drizzle for up to 2 months. Simply wrap them individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container. When ready to enjoy, thaw in the fridge and add fresh caramel drizzle before serving.
Reheating
Reheat gently in a microwave for 15 to 20 seconds to warm up the brownie slightly without melting the cookie dough. Then add or rewarm the caramel drizzle to restore that gooey, fresh-from-the-oven feel.
FAQs
Can I use homemade brownies instead of a box mix?
Absolutely! While a box brownie mix keeps things quick and simple, homemade brownies will add a lovely personal touch. Just be sure they’re firm enough to hold the cookie dough scoop.
Is the cookie dough safe to eat raw?
This cookie dough is made without eggs, which makes it safe to eat raw. Also, it uses heat-treated flour to avoid any risk from raw flour bacteria, so feel confident enjoying it straight from the spoon or atop your brownie cups.
Can I substitute the mini chocolate chips?
Yes, feel free to swap mini chocolate chips with white chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, or even chopped nuts for different flavors and textures.
What type of caramel sauce works best?
Use a good-quality store-bought or homemade caramel sauce that’s pourable and smooth. Thick caramel can be warmed slightly to loosen it up before drizzling.
How long do these cups stay fresh?
Freshly assembled, they’re best eaten within a day or two for the best texture and flavor, but refrigeration can help them last up to three days without compromising taste.
Final Thoughts
This Brownie Cookie Dough Cups with Caramel Drizzle Recipe is one of those incredible desserts that feels like a cozy hug in every bite. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or a sweet treat to brighten your day, you can’t go wrong with this joyful combination of fudgy brownie, dreamy cookie dough, and irresistible caramel. I can’t wait for you to try it and fall in love just like I did!
Print
Brownie Cookie Dough Cups with Caramel Drizzle Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these indulgent Brownie Cookie Dough Cups with Caramel Drizzle, combining fudgy brownie bases filled with creamy, chocolate-studded cookie dough and topped with a luscious caramel sauce for the perfect sweet treat.
Ingredients
Brownie Base
- 1 box brownie mix (plus ingredients required on the box)
Cookie Dough Filling
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
Caramel Drizzle
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce (for drizzling)
Instructions
- Prepare brownies: Preheat your oven according to the brownie mix package instructions. Prepare the brownie mix as directed on the box. Grease the muffin tins and pour the brownie batter into them, filling each cup about halfway. Bake according to the package instructions and allow the brownie cups to cool completely before proceeding.
- Make cookie dough: In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and fluffy. Gradually stir in the all-purpose flour, vanilla extract, and salt until well combined. Fold in the mini chocolate chips evenly throughout the dough.
- Assemble cups: Once the brownie cups have cooled, gently use a spoon to create a small indent or well in the center of each brownie cup, careful not to break them. Fill each indent with a generous scoop of the prepared cookie dough.
- Drizzle caramel: Warm the caramel sauce slightly until it becomes pourable but not too hot. Drizzle the warm caramel sauce over the cookie dough-filled brownie cups to add a rich and sticky sweetness.
- Serve: Serve the brownie cookie dough cups immediately to enjoy the contrast of textures and flavors, or refrigerate briefly to firm up the cookie dough for easier handling before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute store-bought caramel sauce with homemade caramel for a deeper flavor.
- Ensure the brownie cups are completely cooled before adding the cookie dough to prevent melting.
- Use heatproof spoons or piping bags to neatly fill the cookie dough into the brownie cups.
- For a nutty twist, consider adding chopped nuts into the cookie dough.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consume within 3 days.
