Brown Butter S’mores Brookie Cups
These Brown Butter S'mores Brookie Cups are fudgy, rich, and incredibly decadent with a perfectly golden and crisp exterior that makes every single bite absolutely irresistible. Layers of brown butter chocolate chip cookie dough and brown butter brownies are stacked with a graham cracker, gooey marshmallow, and classic melty milk chocolate for the most perfect s'mores flavor in every single bite. Served warm with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt and a cold glass of milk — these brookie cups are the ultimate indulgent treat you'll want to make on repeat!
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Ingredients You Need:
Full ingredients and recipe are in the recipe card below. Read through this section for all the ingredients substitution and baking tips!
Salted Butter: Used in both the brown butter chocolate chip cookie layer and the brown butter brownie layer — browned until deep golden amber and nutty for an incredibly rich, warm depth of flavor that takes every single bite of these brookie cups completely over the top.
Brown Sugar: Used in both the cookie dough and the brownie batter for a deep, molasses-like sweetness that enhances the warm brown butter flavor and helps create that perfectly fudgy, chewy, and irresistible texture throughout.
Granulated Sugar: Used in both the cookie dough and the brownie batter to balance the sweetness and help create that perfectly golden and slightly crisp exterior on every single brookie cup.
Eggs: Provide structure, richness, and stability to both the cookie dough and the brownie batter while helping everything hold together and bake up perfectly fudgy and golden throughout.
Heavy Cream: Added to the cookie dough for a subtle richness and moisture that keeps the cookie layer incredibly soft and tender — milk of choice works as a substitute.
Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, sweet, and aromatic flavor that enhances both the brown butter chocolate chip cookie layer and the brown butter brownie layer throughout.
All-Purpose Flour: Used in both the cookie dough and the brownie batter — provides structure while keeping the cookie layer soft and chewy and gives the brownie layer its signature fudgy and perfectly set texture.
Baking Soda: Helps the cookie dough layer rise and spread evenly while keeping the exterior perfectly golden and slightly crisp throughout.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the rich, warm brown butter and chocolate flavors throughout both the cookie layer and the brownie layer.
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Folded into the cookie dough for melty pockets of rich chocolate throughout the cookie layer that pair perfectly with the warm brown butter flavor in every single bite.
Dark Chocolate: Melted together with the hot brown butter for the brownie batter to create a rich, deep, and intensely chocolatey base that gives the brownie layer its signature fudgy and irresistible texture.
Dutch-Process Cocoa Powder: Whisked into the brownie batter for the deepest, richest, and most fudgy chocolate flavor — regular unsweetened cocoa powder works as a substitute but dutch-process is strongly recommended for the best result.
Instant Espresso Powder: Optional but highly recommended — a small amount added to the brownie batter enhances the deep chocolate flavor without adding a noticeable coffee taste, making the brownie layer even more rich and irresistible.
Olive Oil: Added to the brownie batter alongside the brown butter for extra moisture that keeps the brownie layer incredibly fudgy, rich, and perfectly set throughout every single cup.
Dark And Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: A combination of dark and semi-sweet chocolate chips folded into the brownie batter for melty pockets of rich, indulgent chocolate throughout the fudgy brownie layer in every single bite.
Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bars: Broken into pieces and layered into the center of each brookie cup for that classic and nostalgic s'mores flavor that makes every single bite warm, melty, and completely irresistible.
Graham Crackers: Broken into pieces and placed at the bottom of each muffin well for that signature s'mores base that adds the perfect crunch, crumble, and classic campfire flavor to every single brookie cup.
Marshmallow Fluff: Layered into the center of each brookie cup for a gooey, melty, and perfectly s'mores-like marshmallow filling that stays incredibly gooey throughout baking — marshmallow fluff is strongly recommended over whole marshmallows as it has a much lower chance of evaporating during baking.
Flaky Sea Salt: Sprinkled on top to enhance flavor and balance the sweetness with a subtle salty finish.
Why You’ll Love Brown Butter S’mores Brookie Cups:
Fudgy, Rich, And Incredibly Decadent: These brookie cups are incredibly fudgy, rich, and deeply indulgent with a perfectly golden and crisp exterior that makes every single bite absolutely irresistible from the very first bite to the very last.
The Perfect Brookie Combination: Layers of brown butter chocolate chip cookie dough and brown butter brownies come together in one perfect cup for the most incredible combination of chewy cookie and fudgy brownie in every single bite.
That Deep Brown Butter Richness: The brown butter adds a warm, nutty richness to both the chocolate chip cookie dough and the brownie batter that takes these brookie cups completely over the top and makes them truly one of a kind.
That Perfect S'mores Flavor: A graham cracker, gooey marshmallow, and classic melty milk chocolate are layered right into every single cup for that iconic campfire s'mores flavor that makes every bite warm, nostalgic, and completely irresistible.
Gooey Marshmallow In Every Bite: The gooey, toasty marshmallow melts right into the brookie layers for that signature s'mores texture and flavor that makes every single bite feel like a cozy campfire treat.
Perfectly Golden And Crisp Exterior: Each brookie cup bakes up with a beautifully golden and crisp exterior that gives the most satisfying texture contrast with the fudgy, rich, and decadent interior.
Served Warm With Flaky Sea Salt: A sprinkle of flaky sea salt over the warm brookie cups balances all the rich, sweet flavors and takes every single bite completely and utterly over the top.
Perfect For Any Occasion: Whether it is a summer gathering, a cozy night in, a holiday dessert, or any time a s'mores craving hits, these brown butter s'mores brookie cups are always the ultimate crowd-pleasing treat on the table.
Tips for Making Brown Butter S’mores Brookie Cups:
Brown Both Butters Separately: Brown the butter for the cookie dough first and then brown the butter for the brownie batter separately — each component needs its own batch of brown butter for the deepest, richest, and most nutty flavor throughout.
Watch The Brown Butter Closely: Butter can go from perfectly browned to burnt very quickly, so stay at the stove and stir continuously until it turns a deep golden amber color and smells nutty. Remove from the heat immediately for both batches.
Let The Cookie Dough Brown Butter Cool Before Adding The Sugars: Allow the brown butter for the cookie dough to cool for about 15–20 minutes before adding the sugars — hot brown butter can affect the texture of the cookie dough and result in an overly greasy final cup.
Pour The Hot Brownie Brown Butter Over The Chocolate Immediately: For the brownie batter, pour the hot brown butter directly over the chocolate chips while it is still hot — the heat from the butter will melt the chocolate completely for a smooth, silky chocolate mixture.
Whisk The Eggs And Sugar Until Frothy: Whisk the eggs and sugars together for the brownie batter until the sugar is fully dissolved and the mixture is frothy — this can take 5–7 minutes and is what gives the brownie layer its rich, fudgy, and perfectly set texture. Rub a little of the mixture between two fingers — if it feels smooth with no sugar granules, it is ready.
Chill The Cookie Dough While Making The Brownie Batter: Place the cookie dough in the refrigerator while preparing the brownie batter — chilling the cookie dough firms it up slightly and makes it much easier to scoop and form into discs for layering into the cups.
Use Marshmallow Fluff Instead Of Whole Marshmallows: Marshmallow fluff is strongly recommended over whole marshmallows for the filling — whole marshmallows have a higher chance of evaporating during baking while fluff stays gooey, melty, and perfectly s'mores-like throughout every single cup.
Break The Graham Crackers To Fit The Muffin Wells: Break the graham cracker sheets into pieces small enough to fit flat in the bottom of each muffin well — this creates that classic s'mores base that adds the perfect crunch and flavor to every single brookie cup.
Use About Two Thirds Of The Cookie Dough For The Bottom Layer: Reserve about one third of the cookie dough for the top of each cup — using two thirds on the bottom creates a generous cookie base that holds all the s'mores layers perfectly in place during baking.
Cover The Marshmallow Completely With Brownie Batter: Use your hands to shape and form the brownie batter around the marshmallow filling, aiming to cover it completely — this ensures the marshmallow stays gooey and melty inside the brookie cup rather than evaporating or leaking out during baking.
Finish With Cookie Dough Pieces On Top: Break the remaining cookie dough into small pieces and place about three pieces on top of each cup before baking — this creates a beautiful, golden, and slightly crisp cookie top that makes every single brookie cup look stunning.
Bake Until The Edges Are Golden But The Center Is Still Soft: The brookie cups are done when the tops and edges are golden brown but the center is still slightly soft — do not overbake or the fudgy brownie layer will lose its signature rich, gooey texture.
Cool In The Pan Before Removing: Allow the brookie cups to cool in the pan for at least 15–20 minutes before removing — this gives them time to set up properly and makes it much easier to remove them cleanly without falling apart.
Serve Warm For The Best Experience: These brookie cups are at their absolute best served warm with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt and a cold glass of milk — the brownie is fudgy and gooey, the marshmallow is melty, and the chocolate is perfectly soft and irresistible.
How to Store Brown Butter S’mores Brookie Cups:
Best Served Fresh: These brown butter s'mores brookie cups are at their absolute best served warm and fresh the day they are made with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt and a cold glass of milk — the brownie layer is perfectly fudgy, the marshmallow is gooey, and the chocolate is melty and irresistible.
Room Temperature (Short-Term): The brookie cups can sit covered at room temperature for up to 2 days. The marshmallow and chocolate layers will firm up slightly as they cool but will still be incredibly fudgy and delicious.
Refrigerator: Store leftover brookie cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The brownie and cookie layers will firm up in the refrigerator so reheating before serving is recommended for the best fudgy, gooey texture.
Freezer: Freeze individual cooled brookie cups in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature before reheating for the best texture and flavor.
To Reheat: Warm individual brookie cups in the microwave for 20–30 seconds until warmed through and the brownie layer is fudgy and gooey again — this brings back that fresh-from-the-oven texture and makes the marshmallow and chocolate perfectly melty again.
Make Ahead (Cookie Dough): The brown butter chocolate chip cookie dough can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator until ready to assemble — this is a great way to save time the day of making the brookie cups.
Make Ahead (Brownie Batter): The brown butter brownie batter can be made up to 1 day in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator until ready to assemble. Let it sit at room temperature for 15–20 minutes before scooping and layering into the cups.
FAQs:
Q: Can I make these brown butter s'mores brookie cups ahead of time? A: Yes. Both the brown butter chocolate chip cookie dough and the brown butter brownie batter can be made in advance and stored separately covered in the refrigerator. Assemble and bake the day of serving for the freshest, most fudgy, and most delicious result.
Q: Can I use marshmallow fluff instead of whole marshmallows? A: Yes and it is actually strongly recommended. Marshmallow fluff stays gooey, melty, and perfectly s'mores-like throughout baking while whole marshmallows have a higher chance of evaporating during the baking process. Use 1 tablespoon of marshmallow fluff per cup for the best result.
Q: Can I use a different type of chocolate for the s'mores layer? A: Hershey's milk chocolate bars are recommended for that classic and nostalgic s'mores flavor but any milk chocolate of choice works well as a substitute. Dark chocolate also works beautifully if you prefer a less sweet and more intense chocolate flavor.
Q: Do I have to brown both butters separately? A: Yes. Each component needs its own batch of brown butter for the deepest, richest, and most nutty flavor throughout — browning them separately ensures that both the cookie dough and the brownie batter have the most incredible brown butter flavor in every single bite.
Q: Can I use regular cocoa powder instead of dutch-process? A: Yes. Regular unsweetened cocoa powder works as a substitute for dutch-process cocoa powder in the brownie batter. Keep in mind that dutch-process gives the brownie layer a deeper, richer, and more fudgy chocolate flavor so it is recommended to use it if possible.
Q: Can I use a different size pan? A: A standard 12-cup muffin tin is recommended for the best individual brookie cup size and the most consistent baking. A jumbo muffin tin works well for larger brookie cups — just adjust the baking time slightly and keep a close eye on the edges and center for doneness.
Q: How do I know when the brookie cups are done baking? A: The brookie cups are done when the tops and edges are golden brown but the center is still slightly soft. Do not overbake — the fudgy brownie layer will continue to set as the cups cool in the pan so a slightly soft center is exactly what you want.
Q: Can I add nuts to this recipe? A: Yes. Chopped walnuts or pecans can be folded into the cookie dough or brownie batter for an extra layer of nutty flavor and crunch that pairs beautifully with the brown butter and s'mores flavors throughout.
Q: Can I freeze these brookie cups? A: Yes. Freeze individual cooled brookie cups in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature and reheat in the microwave for 20–30 seconds before serving for the best warm, fudgy, and gooey result.
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Make sure to tag me @wellmadebykiley on Instagram and leave a review or comment if you make these brown butter s’mores brookie cups. Happy baking!
