Irresistible Mini Brownie Bites with Gooey Rolos: Your Go-To Chocolate Caramel Treat

Indulge in the perfect harmony of rich, fudgy brownies and melty caramel-filled Rolos^® with these utterly delightful Mini Brownie Bites. These poppable, ultra-chocolatey treats are an absolute dream for any occasion, offering a quick and satisfying burst of flavor in every bite.

Whether you’re hosting a grand celebration, a cozy get-together, or simply looking to satisfy a sudden craving for something sweet, these mini brownie bites are your ultimate dessert solution. They come together with remarkable speed and simplicity, thanks to a clever shortcut using a brownie mix. For those who love the satisfaction of baking from scratch, we’ve also included guidance on how to create these delectable treats entirely from homemade ingredients, ensuring everyone can enjoy this delightful recipe.

The Allure of Mini Brownie Bites with Rolos^®

It’s no secret that our passion for brownies runs deep. From wholesome Brownie Batter Overnight Oats that make breakfast feel like dessert, to the most luxurious and rich Edible Brownie Batter, we believe there’s always room for more brownies in life. These Mini Brownie Bites with Rolos stand out as a particular favorite, especially when you need a show-stopping dessert that doesn’t demand hours in the kitchen.

Their popularity stems from several factors. Firstly, their bite-sized nature makes them ideal finger foods – no plates or forks required! This makes them perfect for parties, potlucks, or simply enjoying a small, satisfying treat without overindulging (unless you want to!). Secondly, the combination of deep chocolate brownie and a soft, gooey Rolo caramel center is pure confectionery genius. The Rolo, a beloved caramel-filled chocolate candy, melts into a delightfully chewy, sweet core within the fudgy brownie, creating an experience that’s both comforting and exciting. The contrast between the rich brownie and the smooth, flowing caramel is truly irresistible.

This recipe is a true crowd-pleaser, yielding a generous batch of mini brownies, ensuring there’s plenty to go around for all your guests. You can easily make dozens of these small treats in a single baking session, making them incredibly efficient for entertaining. If Rolos aren’t readily available in your area, don’t fret! You can certainly substitute them with another similar caramel-filled chocolate candy, such as caramel kisses or squares cut from a caramel slab. However, the unique texture and convenient individual wrapping of Rolos are highly recommended for the authentic experience these brownie bites offer.

Homemade Goodness: Making the Brownies from Scratch

While the convenience of a brownie mix offers unparalleled ease, we understand the joy and satisfaction that comes from baking entirely from scratch. If you prefer to craft your brownies from the ground up, we have the perfect solution for you! Our homemade Fudgy Brownie Bites recipe serves as an excellent base, seamlessly replacing the packaged brownie mix in this recipe. This option allows you to control all the ingredients, ensuring the freshest flavors and a truly personalized touch.

To adapt that particular recipe for these Rolo-filled delights, simply follow the instructions for preparing the brownie batter as written. The only modification you’ll need to make is during the assembly stage: instead of pressing a chocolate bar into the center of the brownie bites as that recipe suggests, you will instead press an unwrapped Rolo candy into each warm brownie bite immediately after baking. This slight adjustment ensures the caramel center becomes perfectly molten and gooey, just as intended for this recipe, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.

Essential Baking Tips for Perfect Mini Brownie Bites

Achieving consistently delicious mini brownie bites is easy when you pay attention to a few key details. These tips will help ensure your treats are fudgy, flavorful, and release perfectly from the pan every time. Taking a moment to follow these guidelines can elevate your baking results from good to absolutely fantastic.

The Importance of Room Temperature Cream Cheese and Butter

This step is absolutely crucial for the texture of your brownie batter. For a smooth, lump-free mixture, both cream cheese and butter must be softened to room temperature. Why is this important? Cold ingredients don’t emulsify properly with others, leading to a lumpy batter that can result in an unevenly baked product. Room temperature ingredients, on the other hand, blend together effortlessly, creating a cohesive, airy, and creamy batter that translates into tender, uniformly fudgy brownies. Here are a few reliable shortcuts to get your ingredients ready quickly, especially when you’re short on time:

• Small Cubes Method: Cut both the cream cheese and butter into small, roughly 1-inch (2.5 cm) cubes. Spread them out on a plate or cutting board. Allow them to sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes. The increased surface area significantly speeds up the softening process, allowing them to warm through much faster than if left whole.
• Warm Bowl Technique: Fill a large mixing bowl with hot water and let it sit for a minute or two to warm the bowl. Empty the water and quickly dry the bowl thoroughly. Invert this warm bowl over your cubed cream cheese and butter, which you’ve placed on a plate or another bowl. The residual warmth trapped under the bowl will gently and evenly soften them in just 5-10 minutes without melting.
• Microwave with Caution: For the quickest method, remove the cream cheese entirely from its foil wrapper and box, placing it in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in short 10-second bursts, flipping or stirring after each burst. Typically, about 30 seconds total is sufficient for cream cheese. Add the butter for only the last 10-15 seconds of microwaving. The critical point here is to soften, not melt, the butter; melted butter will negatively affect the brownie’s final texture, making them greasy rather than fudgy.

Expert Tips for Successful Mini Brownie Bites with Rolos

• Generously Grease Your Muffin Tin: This is arguably the most critical tip for miniature brownies! Mini muffin tins are notorious for sticking, which can quickly turn a fun baking project into a frustrating cleanup. Ensure you thoroughly grease each cavity of your miniature muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray, or use softened butter and a light dusting of flour. A well-greased pan is the absolute secret to easy release and perfectly formed brownie bites, preventing them from crumbling as you remove them.
• Precise Batter Measurement: For uniform baking and consistent size, it is highly recommended to use a 1-tablespoon measuring spoon to portion out the brownie batter into each cavity. This helps ensure every brownie bite bakes evenly, cooks through at the same rate, and looks professionally made, contributing to a beautiful presentation.
• The Right Brownie Mix Size Matters: To ensure the recipe’s ingredient balance is perfect and the dough has the correct consistency, double-check that your boxed brownie mix is an 18.3 or 18.4 ounce package (approximately 519g). Variations in mix size can significantly alter the batter consistency, potentially leading to brownies that are too dry, too wet, or don’t bake correctly.
• Embrace the Salty-Sweet Combination: For an elevated flavor profile that truly makes these treats shine, add a tiny sprinkle of flaky sea salt (like Maldon sea salt) onto each brownie bite immediately after pressing in the Rolo. The hint of salt wonderfully contrasts and enhances the sweet caramel and rich chocolate, creating an irresistible treat that will have everyone asking for your secret ingredient.

More Delectable Desserts to Try

If you’re a fan of easy, crowd-pleasing desserts that combine classic flavors with delightful textures, you’ll love these other recipes from our collection:

• Icebox Cake with Oreos: A delightful no-bake dessert featuring layers of creamy goodness and classic Oreo cookies, perfect for a refreshing treat without turning on the oven.
• Brownie Trifle: An elegant and impressive dessert layered with rich, fudgy brownies, fresh whipped cream, and vibrant seasonal berries – ideal for special occasions.
• Mint Brownies: Indulge in fudgy chocolate brownies topped with a refreshing mint frosting and a luscious chocolate ganache, offering a cool and decadent flavor combination.
• Cookie Brownie Bars: A delicious mashup combining a chewy oatmeal cookie topping with a rich brownie base, all baked together in one easy-to-slice bar for a double-layer delight.
• Eclair Cake: Another fantastic no-bake option, this cake features layers of crisp graham crackers, rich vanilla pudding, and a decadent chocolate ganache, perfectly mimicking the flavors of a classic eclair with minimal effort.

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Mini Brownie Bites with Rolos

By Chelsea Lords

Mini Brownie Bites with Rolos make the perfect finger food dessert. They’re rich, fudgy, and ultra chocolate-y, offering a delightful caramel surprise in every bite.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 48 miniature brownie bites

Ingredients

• • 4 oz. (113g) full-fat cream cheese, at room temperature
• • 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• • 1 large egg
• • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• • 1 package (3.9 oz.; 110g) instant chocolate fudge pudding mix (dry)
• • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• • 1 package (18.3 oz. 519g) fudge brownie mix (Note 1)
• • 1 bag (10.6 oz.; 300g) Rolos (Note 2)

Instructions

1. PREP: Begin by setting out your cream cheese and butter to reach room temperature. This is essential for a smooth batter; if the cream cheese isn’t softened, it can create undesirable lumps. Aim for about 45 minutes to an hour in a warm spot, or use the quick softening methods mentioned above (See Note 3). While ingredients soften, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a miniature muffin tin by generously greasing each cavity with non-stick spray or butter and flour to ensure easy release.
2. BROWNIE BATTER: In a large mixing bowl (or using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment), cream together the softened cream cheese and butter until the mixture is completely smooth and uniform. This should take a few minutes. Next, beat in the large egg and vanilla extract until well combined. Gradually add in the dry instant chocolate fudge pudding mix and all-purpose flour, mixing until just combined. Finally, incorporate the fudge brownie mix. Continue to beat until a thick, cohesive dough forms. This dough will be extremely thick and may take a little time and effort to come together; be patient!
3. BAKE: Using a 1-tablespoon measuring spoon, scoop out portions of the thick brownie dough. Roll each portion into a small ball and carefully place it into a prepared cavity of the miniature muffin tin. Repeat this process until all cavities are filled. Bake for 13-16 minutes. To achieve wonderfully soft and fudgy brownie bites, it’s better to slightly under-bake them rather than over-bake. Keep an eye on them; the edges should be set, but the centers still look slightly moist.
4. ADD ROLOS: Once baked, carefully remove the muffin tin from the oven. Allow the brownies to cool in the tin for approximately 3 minutes. While they are still warm and pliable, gently press one unwrapped Rolo candy into the center of each brownie bite. The warmth of the brownie will cause the Rolo to slightly melt, creating a delightful gooey caramel core that oozes when bitten.
5. REMOVE & SERVE: After the Rolos have been pressed in and had a moment to soften, use the tines of a fork or a small offset spatula to gently coax each mini brownie bite out of the muffin tin. Brownie bites are best enjoyed warm, allowing the Rolo caramel to be perfectly molten and gooey for the ultimate indulgence.
6. STORAGE: Any leftover brownie bites should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature. They are at their peak freshness and fudginess when eaten within 1-2 days. After this period, they tend to become a bit harder, though still delicious, and can be briefly warmed in the microwave to soften again.

Recipe Notes

• Note 1: Brownie Mix Size: It’s important to use the correct size brownie mix for this recipe, ideally an 18.3 or 18.4 ounce package, to ensure the right consistency for your brownie dough and a successful outcome.
• Note 2: Rolos: While you might have a few Rolos leftover from a standard bag, we recommend purchasing a 10.6 oz. (300g) bag to ensure you have enough for the recipe and perhaps a few extra for snacking! For those unfamiliar, Rolos are delicious chocolate-covered caramel candies that provide the perfect gooey center for these bites.
• Note 3: Room-Temperature Butter and Cream Cheese: Achieving room temperature quickly is key for a smooth batter. For cream cheese, fully remove from packaging and microwave in 10-second intervals (totaling about 30 seconds), flipping after each. Add butter for the last 10-15 seconds only, ensuring it softens but does not melt, as melted butter can alter the brownie’s texture.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

• Calories: 147 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 16g
• Protein: 2g
• Fat: 9g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g
• Monounsaturated Fat: 2g
• Trans Fat: 0.2g
• Cholesterol: 21 mg
• Sodium: 96 mg
• Potassium: 28 mg
• Fiber: 0.2g
• Sugar: 11g
• Vitamin A: 199 IU
• Vitamin C: 0.1 mg
• Calcium: 20 mg
• Iron: 0.4 mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation. Individual results may vary based on ingredients and preparation methods.