Brownies stuffed with a creamy white chocolate cream cheese filling and a big juicy strawberry on top. These tuxedo brownie cups are elegant and delicious!
Brownies are delicious and they go with just about any occasion or meal so they are the perfect “go to” dessert when you’ve got a lot going on, but it’s time to give brownies a little dressing up. We made it a black tie affair with these tuxedo brownie bites and I’m so glad we did!
The cream cheese filling is absolutely divine, but really can you EVER go wrong with cream cheese filling? I mean, have you had our no bake cheesecake dip?! It’s insane!!
It’s creamy and perfect along with that bold chocolate and the fresh, sweet berry.
Recommended Equipment
Ingredients for Tuxedo Brownie Bites
- Fudge Brownie Mix: Make the brownies following the cake like instructions. You will need eggs, water and vegetable oil. (You can make your own brownie batter as well.)
- White Chocolate: adds a delicious rich flavor to the filling
- Milk: thins out the filling a little and adds creaminess
- Cream Cheese: use full fat cream cheese and make sure it is at room temperature (see section below for avoiding lumps)
- Powdered Sugar: adds sweetness
- Frozen Whipped Topping: adds structure to the filling (fresh whipped cream is fine but tends to fall more.)
- Strawberries: adds flavor and freshness and pairs so well with chocolate
- Orange Zest: This is totally optional but it adds a beautiful depth of flavor. Mint or chocolate could also be used to garnish.
The measurements for all the ingredients can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.
How to Not Have Lumps in Cream Cheese
Remember, when cooking or baking with cream cheese you need to either set it out for a bit so that you can soften the brick, making a smooth spread, or fill a sink with warm water and let it sit, still in its foil until soft. There’s nothing worse than lumpy cream cheese filling and no amount of beating will smooth out those pieces.
How to Make Tuxedo Brownie Bites
How to Make Tuxedo Brownie BitesThe beautiful thing about these brownie bites (besides how good they taste) is that they seem so decadent and fancy but they couldn’t be easier to make! Here are the basic steps:
- Prep: Preheat the oven and spray all the muffin cups with cooking spray.
- Brownie Mix: Prepare the brownie mix according to the cake like directions.
- Bake: Using a small cookie scoop, fill the cups 2/3 full with brownie batter and bake.
- Create: When the brownies are done baking, use the back of the small scoop the indent the middle of each brownie to create a “brownie cup”.
- Filling: While the brownies cool, make the filling (see section below for more details).
- Assemble: Add the filling to the brownie cups (more details below) and top with a slice of strawberry.
- Refrigerate: Allow the brownie bites to finish setting up in the refrigerator for at least an hour.
The complete instructions can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post. Keep scrolling down for all the details.
Cream Cheese Filling for Brownies
The cream cheese filling is really simple to make and we often make cream cheese filling ahead of time.
This is a white chocolate cream cheese filling so it’s going to take an extra step but not only is the flavor worth it, it’s incredibly simple so don’t panic.
In a microwave safe bowl, add the baking white chocolate and milk and melt down smooth. We like to do 20-30 second intervals, stirring in between.
Allow the chocolate to cool completely.
Beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and add in remaining ingredients except the white chocolate. Once the cream cheese is smooth and everything is incorporated, stir in the white chocolate with a spatula.
How to Fill the Brownie Cups
It’s best to use a piping bag, though I know you might be tempted (we, especially Cade, always are!) to use a spoon but it just won’t look as pretty. If you don’t have these simple piping bags, we recommend you get some since they are a great price and you will end up using them from time to time, but if you don’t have time to shop, just use a sealable bag and snip the corner.
Why Did My Brownie Bites Sink in the Middle?
There are two likely suspects for brownie bites that sink in the middle — overmixing or underbaking. When making the brownies, mix everything together until just combined. Don’t overdo it! Bake for the suggested time and then test with a toothpick. It should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
How Do You Get Brownie Bites Out of a Mini Muffin Tin?
If you’ve sprayed the cups thoroughly, the brownie bites should almost fall out, but if they get stuck, slide a small paring knife around the edges of each cup. You can also use a knife to pry up each brownie so that it’s easier to grab and pull out.
Variations
With just a hint of orange zest in the filling and a sweet little strawberry on top the whole bite comes to life in your mouth.
For Christmas I like to add a little peppermint to the filling and sprinkle with crushed candy canes instead of the strawberry. They make a great neighbor gift for the holidays!
The flavors and toppings can be totally customizable for whatever the occasion is. It’s the perfect treat for any party!
Storage Tips
Tuxedo brownie bites should be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. They will keep for a day or two. Don’t add the strawberry slices until just before serving.
These brownie cups will freeze very well. Place them all in a single layer on a baking sheet and stick them in the freezer. Once frozen through, you can layer them in a freezer safe container or a ziploc bag. They will keep for up to 3 months.
These tuxedo brownie bites are chocolatey, fudgy in the middle and crispy around the edges with delicious white chocolate cream cheese filling. We like to top it with a fresh strawberry slice. I’ll bet you anything you won’t stop at just one!
More Tasty Dessert Bites:
- Chocolate Covered Coconut Balls
- Mini Strawberry Cheesecakes
- Oreo Peanut Butter Truffles
- Twix Ritz
- Mini Cheesecakes with Raspberry Sauce
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffles
- Mini Fruit Tarts
Tuxedo Brownie Cups
Description
Ingredients
- 1 Package Fudge Brownie Mix, with a cake like recipe on the back plus ingredients to make it that way
- 2 Ounces White Chocolate, 2 baking squares (1oz each)
- 2 Tablespoons Milk
- 1 Package Cream Cheese, 8oz, softened
- 1/4 Cup Powdered Sugar
- 1 Cup Frozen Whipped Topping, thawed
- 1 Pint Strawberries, sliced, raspberries etc are good too
- Orange Zest, mint or chocolate to garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
- Grease mini muffin cups.
- Prepare brownie mix according to cake like directions.1 Package Fudge Brownie Mix
- Using small scoop, fill cups 2/3 full.
- Bake 14 min or until edges are set. Do not overbake.
- Remove pan to cooling rack.
- Press tops of brownies with mini tart shaper to make indentations.
- Cool 15 min.
- Loosen edges and remove to cool completely.
- Microwave white chocolate and milk in a small bowl, stirring until smooth. Cool slightly.2 Ounces White Chocolate, 2 Tablespoons Milk
- Combine cream cheese and powdered sugar in a small bowl.1 Package Cream Cheese, 1/4 Cup Powdered Sugar
- Gradually stir in white chocolate until smooth.
- Fold in whipped topping.1 Cup Frozen Whipped Topping
- Fill cups with cream cheese mixture. Add orange zest, mint or chocolate at this step if using.Orange Zest
- Arrange strawberries on top like tuxedo or just use them to garnish if you are in a hurry.1 Pint Strawberries
- Refrigerate 1-3 hours before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Recommended Products
Ina Garten’s Outrageous Brownies
Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies
Julie
Hello, the last few times I have made these I can’t seem to get the brownies out of the mini muffin pan without them sticking and the brownie falls apart . Am I over cooking them ? Any suggestions?
Thank you !
Sweet Basil
Are you greasing the muffin tin? If you grease the pan, there shouldn’t be any sticking.
Julie
Thank you for replying to me 🙂
Yes. I used Bakers Joy spray. I am thinking that might be the problem . I have made these in the past with no issue but the last few times I have tried the brownies stick to the pan . What do you use?
Sweet Basil
Hi Julie! We just use the cooking spray you can buy at Costco. It’s Kirkland brand. Pam is great too.
Sue
I’ve been making this recipe for many years. I got it from Pampered Chef. They are so yummy.
Sweet Basil
ohhh! Maybe that’s where my friend got her’s!
RowdyRo
I I don’t have a tart shaper, is there something else I can use to make the intentions?
RowdyRo
*indentions
Sweet Basil
Hi, You can use the end of a wooden spoon. 🙂
ColleenB.~ Tx.
try the bottom of a shot glass if you have no tart shaper or try the end of a tension rod
Sweet Basil
Great tip!
Andrea
Hi,
these are SOOO GOOD!!
I was wondering if you had any advice for me… the bottom half of the brownies are overdone when i bake them. I tried to do for less time but the tops weren’t done. Should i try baking them at 350 instead for less time? Not sure what to do..
Sweet Basil
Hi! Is your pan light or a dark metal? That’s usually the culprit. You could certainly lower to 350 though. 🙂
Andrea
i had most of them in a dark pan
Sweet Basil
Dark pans are what I have too and they tend to overcook so I have to really watch our ovens. 🙁
Lori
Do the brownies get soggy if you put the cream cheese mixture in and then let them sit in the fridge for 3-4 days? Do you know if they freeze well?
Sweet Basil
Hey Lori! If I were you, I would make the brownies and filling and store them separately and then fill them within a few hours of serving if possible. That being said, the brownie bites can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. They will keep for a day or two. Don’t add the strawberry slices until just before serving.
They will freeze very well. Place them all in a single layer on a baking sheet and stick them in the freezer. Once frozen through, you can layer them in a freezer safe container or a ziploc bag. They will keep for up to 3 months.
Barbara Bakes
This sounds like the perfect combination of flavors!