Treat your birthday boy or girl to a rich dessert that can please both cake lovers and brownie fans.
One time, my mom and I were arguing about which dessert we should make for a loved one. It was tricky because most people at the party were cake lovers, but the birthday girl preferred brownies. In that moment, I realized—we needed to think outside of the box. Cue brownie cupcakes! These rich, chocolatey hand-held treats harmonize the best of brownies and cake, so that everyone at the party can be pleased.
And don’t worry—it’s not rocket science. Even a novice baker can take a crack at these and come out successful. All it takes is some patience, a few basic baking ingredients, and a hankering for chocolate. The secret is in the melted butter and chocolate chips, which swirl into the batter perfectly, creating a nice balance between fudgy and fluffy. Brownie cupcakes are an ideal dessert for the loving baker who wants to please the crowd, because they have a little something special for everyone. And the best part is—they taste amazing both plain and with frosting.
Brownies vs. chocolate cake—what’s the difference?
Typically, brownies are fudgy, whereas chocolate cake is light and fluffy. But the two features have been known to show up in harmony, such as in brownie cupcakes—they have fudginess thanks to melted butter and chocolate chips, but with a more cake-like texture that’s puffy. That’s what makes these so unique! The reason why plain brownies are usually more fudgy than fluffy is because they use less baking powder, or none at all.
How do I store leftovers?
Let your brownie cupcakes cool completely to room temperature before storing them in an airtight container. Keep them at room temperature for 2-3 days, enjoying them sooner than later for optimal freshness. You may also freeze them in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months and then thaw them in the fridge overnight.
Serving suggestions
All that chocolatey decadence, and your brownie cupcakes aren’t even frosted yet! So give them the glow-up they deserve by topping each one with a swirl of rich Chocolate Buttercream Frosting, sweet and pillowy Greek Yogurt Frosting, or Whipped Homemade Almond Butter. Remember to keep a few plain for those who prefer it! Then, feel free to serve your brownie cupcakes with Cottage Cheese Ice Cream, Strawberry Yogurt, or Healthy Ice Cream With Chocolate And Pomegranate.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces unsalted butter
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F and line 20 muffin cups with paper liners.
- Melt the unsalted butter and chocolate chips in a saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth (about 3-5 minutes). Remove from heat and let cool for 10-15 minutes.
- In a large bowl, beat the white sugar and eggs until well combined. Stir in the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and vanilla extract, then gently fold in the cooled chocolate mixture until the batter is smooth.
- Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling each about half full. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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