Brownies & Bars/ Chocolate/ Cupcakes/ Mini Desserts

A Mini Brownie Cupcakes Recipe

July 14, 2014

I know many people who aren’t quite as cheerful when their birthday comes around. Trust me, I get it, we’re not getting any younger, but to me, a birthday has always been a happy day that I look forward to for weeks in advance. One of my favorite things is planning how to celebrate the next big party to make my friends and family happy. Here’s a clue to how I stay so excited: it always involves TONS of food and sweets, plus, some dancing 😉

mini brownie cupcakes

Delicious Chocolate Brownie Recipes

While thinking about what to bake today, I figured that since it’s my birthday I should pick one of my favorite recipes. This obviously means it would have to be something insanely chocolatey and fudgy, like… brownies! However, since there are already a few brownie recipes on my blog (here, here, and here… and there are more ;)), I decided to spice things up and make mini brownie cupcakes. I made these last year as well and they seemed to be everyone’s favorite over all the other sweets I made, so it only seemed right to bake them again.

Mini cupcake recipe

So, I made a quick and simple one-bowl brownie batter, baked it in a mini-muffin pan, and frosted the mini brownie cupcakes with the simplest chocolate frosting possible, a rich chocolate ganache.

Baking Perfect Mini Brownie Cupcake

As small as they are, these mini brownie cupcakes are a chocolate explosion in your mouth. To make them perfectly fudgy, you’ll have to watch the baking time; mini brownies can quickly go from being underdone to overdone. Mine took exactly 10 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the top and sides look set, but the center isn’t fully baked. To be sure, a toothpick inserted into the center should not come out clean, but rather with moist crumbs.

mini chocolate brownies

Fudgy Chocolate Ganache

The ganache is a mixture of melted chocolate and heavy whipping cream. It’s very chocolaty and rich, and that’s why I like to bake these as minis. I also like how shiny and tempting it makes them look. I love following this ganache tutorial! Just remember you’ll need to prepare the ganache ahead of time and let it sit at room temperature until it’s thickened to a good frosting consistency.

bite sized chocolate brownie recipe

How to Keep Cupcakes

Due to the dairy in the frosting, this mini brownie cupcakes recipe should be kept in the fridge, although they’ll be fine sitting at room temperature for up to a few hours. Don’t serve cold, though, because the frosting will be hard and unpleasant. Some people have also asked me if the frosting will melt. Unless it’s under direct sunlight or a humid day, it should be fine. I’ve never had trouble with that before.

5 from 2 votes
Mini Chocolate Brownie Cupcakes
YIELD: 30 mini cupcakes
 
Bite-sized fudgy chocolate brownie cupcakes with a rich chocolate ganache frosting that takes only 2 minutes to make.

Ingredients
Brownie Cupcakes:
  • 4 ounces (115 grams) bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick/113 gram) butter, cut into small pieces
  • 3/4 cup (150 grams/5.3 ounces) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon (75 grams/2.7 ounces) all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
Chocolate Ganache Frosting:
  • 200 grams bittersweet or semisweet chocolate , coarsely chopped
  • 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon (135ml) heavy cream
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350F/180C. Line 30-32 mini muffin cups with liners. Set aside.
  2. Make the ganache first: In a medium heat-proof bowl, place chocolate and heavy cream. Melt the mixture in the microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until melted and smooth. Alternatively, you can set the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water, stirring occasionally. Cover the bowl and leave to cool until it has reached room temperature and thickens. It should be ready by the time the cupcakes are able to be frosted.
  3. To make the brownies: In a large heat-proof bowl, place chocolate and butter. Melt mixture in the microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until melted (or set bowl over a saucepan of simmering water, stirring occasionally). Add sugar and whisk until combined. Add eggs, one at a time, and whisk just until combined. Add vanilla extract and stir. Sift flour and salt over the chocolate mixture and fold, using a rubber spatula, until combined and smooth. Do not over mix.
  4. Divide batter between cupcake liners, filling them 3/4 full. Bake for about 10 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cupcake, comes out with a few moist crumbs. Be careful not to over bake as this will make the brownies dry. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan. Once cupcakes have cooled and the chocolate ganache has thickened, frost cupcakes.
  5. Store cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Allow to reach room temperature before serving.

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11 Comments

  • Reply
    Winnie
    July 14, 2014 at 2:42 pm

    יום הולדת שמח שירן
    ♥♥ ♥♥ ♥♥
    איזה יופי של בראוניז-קאפקייקס, מתאימים מאדדדדד ליומהולדת לדעתי
    והייתי אוכלת בכייף כמה כאלה בין אזעקה לאזעקה
    יש פה לכולם צורך במתוק כל הזמן. כנראה בלל המתח

  • Reply
    Anne
    July 14, 2014 at 5:21 pm

    Happy birthday Shiran!!! Lovely way to celebrate!!! You’ve nearly got me licking the computer… 🙂

    • Reply
      Shiran
      July 15, 2014 at 12:27 pm

      Thank you so much Anne! You’re so sweet!

  • Reply
    dina
    July 15, 2014 at 1:11 am

    i could use some chocolate now. yum!

  • Reply
    Kathi @ Deliciously Yum!
    July 15, 2014 at 2:57 pm

    Happy belated birthday, dear. I hope you had the most amazing day yesterday and got to eat lots and lots of mini chocolate brownie cupcakes :).
    Also, I am loving this quick chocolate ganache – it totally looks like it would just melt in your mouth!!

  • Reply
    Archana mutreja
    December 31, 2014 at 10:30 am

    the mini brownies looked tasty. I am a great fan of chocolate brownie.But i would like to know the recipe for eggless mini cupcake brownies.

    • Reply
      Shiran
      January 3, 2015 at 8:25 am

      Thank you! I have yet to try an eggless brownies recipe, but it’s on my list!

  • Reply
    Barbara
    June 14, 2015 at 2:27 pm

    I’d like to know what kind of candy is on top, that really tops all!

    • Reply
      Shiran
      June 15, 2015 at 7:10 am

      Hi Barbara, it’s called chocolate pearls and you can easily find it online 🙂

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