When regular brownies just aren’t enough to satisfy your chocolate cravings, these Triple-Chocolate Brownie Cups step up to deliver an intense chocolate experience that will make any dessert lover weak in the knees. These individual treats pack three different types of chocolate into perfectly portioned cups that are crispy on the edges, fudgy in the center, and loaded with melty chocolate chips throughout. Baked in a muffin tin, they create the perfect single-serving brownies that are ideal for parties, potlucks, or when you want to treat yourself to something truly decadent without cutting into a whole pan.
Makes: 12 brownie cups
What You’ll Need
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 4 oz dark chocolate, chopped (70% cocoa works great)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/3 cup white chocolate chips
- Cooking spray or butter for greasing
Getting Started
Preheat your oven to 350°F and generously grease a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray or butter. Make sure to get the sides and bottom of each cup well coated so your brownie cups will release easily after baking. You can also use paper liners if you prefer, though greasing the tin directly gives you better edges.
Melting the Chocolate Base
In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt the butter and chopped dark chocolate together, stirring frequently until smooth and glossy. This creates the rich foundation for your brownie cups. Remove from heat once everything is melted and combined, and let it cool slightly while you prepare the other ingredients.
You can also do this step in the microwave by heating the butter and chocolate in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until smooth. Either method works perfectly, so use whichever you find more convenient.
Mixing the Brownie Batter
Stir the granulated sugar into the slightly cooled chocolate mixture until well combined. The mixture should look smooth and shiny. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract. The batter will become glossy and thick.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. This extra cocoa powder adds the second layer of chocolate flavor and gives the brownies their rich, dark color. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the chocolate mixture, stirring just until combined. Don’t overmix, as this can make your brownie cups tough instead of tender.
Adding the Chocolate Chips
Fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips and white chocolate chips, distributing them evenly throughout the batter. The semi-sweet chips provide bursts of traditional chocolate flavor, while the white chocolate chips add creamy sweetness and visual appeal. This gives you the third type of chocolate that makes these truly triple-chocolate treats.
Filling the Muffin Cups
Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups, filling each about 2/3 full. Use a spoon or small ice cream scoop to make this easier and ensure even portions. The batter will be thick and fudgy, which is exactly what you want for rich, dense brownie cups.
Baking to Perfection
Bake for 18-22 minutes, until the tops look set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs clinging to it. Don’t overbake these – they’ll continue cooking slightly from residual heat even after you remove them from the oven. The edges should look slightly crispy while the centers remain soft and fudgy.
Cooling and Serving
Let the brownie cups cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before carefully removing them. Run a knife around the edges if needed to help release them. The cooling time is important because it allows the brownies to set up properly while still remaining tender.
Perfect Presentation
These brownie cups are delicious on their own, but you can take them over the top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of chocolate sauce, or a dollop of whipped cream. They’re also wonderful dusted with powdered sugar or served with fresh berries for a pop of color and freshness that balances the rich chocolate.
Each bite delivers layers of chocolate flavor that build and intensify, making these the perfect treat for serious chocolate enthusiasts. The individual portion size makes them ideal for entertaining, and they keep well for several days covered at room temperature, though they’re absolutely irresistible when still slightly warm from the oven.
