Name: Hot Chocolate Brownie Bites Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 box brownie mix (plus required ingredients: oil, eggs, water); 24 chocolate kisses; 2 cups heavy cream; 2 tablespoons powdered sugar; 2 tablespoons instant white chocolate pudding mix; Peppermint sticks, chopped; Mini marshmallows; Chocolate sauce

Imagine sinking your teeth into something that tastes like a warm hug on a chilly day — that’s exactly what these Hot Chocolate Brownie Bites Recipe deliver. They’re perfectly fudgy, topped with melty chocolate, and crowned with a fluffy cloud of stabilized whipped cream, making them a little party in every bite.

A single chocolate dessert cup with three clear layers is shown on a white marbled surface with a bright pink background. The bottom layer is a thick, dark brown, sponge-like chocolate base with a porous texture. Above it is a smooth, glossy milk chocolate layer covering the top of the base. On top of that is a swirl of white whipped cream that has a soft, fluffy texture. Scattered over the cream and the chocolate surface are small pieces of crushed candy canes, which are white with red stripes, and some dark brown chocolate sprinkles. A candy cane striped in white and red sticks out from the whipped cream on the right side, tilting slightly upward. The image is close and detailed, showing the textures clearly. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Hot Chocolate Brownie Bites Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Hot Chocolate Brownie Bites Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Hot Chocolate Brownie Bites Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I honestly can’t get enough of these brownie bites — they turn ordinary boxed brownies into an indulgent treat that feels homemade yet comes together so fast. Plus, the whipped cream topping with that hint of white chocolate and peppermint is something I personally find irresistible.

Perfectly Bite-Sized: These little brownies are portioned just right for easy sharing or sneaking a few without guilt.
Simple Ingredients: Using a boxed brownie mix makes this both quick and approachable, but the extra touches make it feel special.
Fun Flavor Combo: The creamy white chocolate whipped topping paired with peppermint bits brings that cozy hot chocolate vibe into a dessert.
Great for Parties or Cozy Nights In: Small and elegant enough for guests but also perfect to whip up just because.

The image shows several small, dark brown chocolate cups arranged on a bright pink surface with a white marbled texture. Each chocolate cup has a smooth, lighter brown chocolate filling inside. On top, there is a layer of white whipped cream with chocolate sprinkles scattered over it. Every cup is decorated with a small red and white striped candy cane sticking out from the whipped cream. Around the chocolate cups, there are small white marshmallows and more chocolate sprinkles scattered. In the background, there is a soft white cloth holding two more chocolate cups, one of which is shown from the top, revealing its swirl of chocolate filling. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Hot Chocolate Brownie Bites Recipe relies on a few hero ingredients working wonderfully together — the boxed brownie mix gives you dependable fudgy brownies every time, and the chocolate kisses melt perfectly into the center for that dreamy molten feel. Then the stabilized whipped cream adds a luscious, creamy topping that holds its shape and brings a white chocolate twist.

Flat lay of a small pile of glossy chocolate kisses, a simple white ceramic bowl filled with heavy cream, a small white bowl of fine powdered sugar, a small white bowl holding creamy instant white chocolate pudding mix powder, a few fresh peppermint sticks with red and white stripes, a handful of fluffy mini marshmallows, a small white bowl containing rich, smooth chocolate sauce, three whole brown eggs with clean shells placed neatly beside a small white bowl of clear water, all arranged symmetrically and balanced on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Brownie Mix: Go for your favorite brand; the box makes prep simple, and you get consistent fudginess if you follow the instructions.
Chocolate Kisses: These melt beautifully right on top of the warm brownies, creating a gooey center that’s absolutely irresistible.
Heavy Cream: The base for the whipped cream, make sure it’s cold to whip up light and fluffy without trouble.
Powdered Sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness without graininess.
Instant White Chocolate Pudding Mix: This is a game-changer — it stabilizes the whipped cream and adds that lovely white chocolate flavor.
Peppermint Sticks: Crushed on top, they bring a festive, refreshing crunch that perfectly complements the chocolate richness.
Mini Marshmallows: Adds softness and nostalgia, just like a mug of hot cocoa would.
Chocolate Sauce: Optional but highly recommended for drizzling, it amps up the chocolate factor.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Hot Chocolate Brownie Bites Recipe is how easy it is to make your own. I’ve tried leaving the chocolate kiss a little melty and rustic, or smoothing it out for that creamy end to the brownie — both are delicious in their own ways. Plus, swapping peppermint for other crushed candy or skipping the peppermint altogether lets you customize to your craving.

Variation: I once swapped the peppermint sticks for caramel bits and a sprinkle of sea salt for a rich salted caramel version – highly recommend if you want a twist!
Dietary Swap: Use dairy-free brownie mix and coconut cream to make it vegan-friendly without losing that creamy topping.
Seasonal Touch: Around the holidays, I love adding mini candy canes or edible gold glitter on top for a bit of sparkle and festive flair.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Hot Chocolate Brownie Bites Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Mix the Brownies

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing a 24-mini muffin pan with nonstick spray — this helps the brownie bites pop out cleanly later. Whisk together your boxed brownie mix ingredients as directed, but don’t overmix; just get it smooth and ready to go.

Step 2: Bake Those Brownie Bites

Fill each mini muffin cup about two-thirds full with your brownie batter. The key here is to bake just until the edges are set but the centers remain soft — roughly 7 to 10 minutes. Keep a close eye during that window because you want them gooey, not dry. The soft centers are what make these bites extra special.

Step 3: Add the Melty Chocolate Kiss

The moment they come out of the oven, press a chocolate kiss upside down into each brownie cup. Don’t wait too long or the chocolate won’t melt properly. You can either leave the kiss as it is or, once it softens, use a small spatula or the back of a spoon to gently smooth it out — giving you that rich, creamy cocoa top look that’s just irresistible.

Step 4: Cool and Pop Out

Let the brownie bites cool completely in the pan, then transfer them to a cooling rack. If they’re a bit stubborn, running a small paring knife around the edges helps pop them out neatly without breaking.

Step 5: Make the Stabilized Whipped Cream

This is the magic finishing touch: in a chilled bowl, whip the heavy cream on high until it thickens. Toss in the powdered sugar and keep whipping until soft peaks form. Then carefully fold in the instant white chocolate pudding mix and continue whipping until stiff peaks appear. Watch closely — it can stiffen fast, and you want that perfect whipped texture without curdling.

Step 6: Decorate and Enjoy

Once your brownie bites are completely cool, pipe or spoon the stabilized whipped cream on top. I love to go all out here — sprinkling mini marshmallows, crushed peppermint sticks, and a drizzle of chocolate sauce for that picture-perfect finish.

Top Tip

Having made this Hot Chocolate Brownie Bites Recipe several times, I've learned a few tricks that really elevate the outcome – and I want to make sure you have that same success in your kitchen.

Bake Time Precision: Don’t overbake the brownie bites — the soft center is what makes these so special, so start checking at 7 minutes.
Chill Your Tools: For the whipped cream, chilling the bowl and beaters will help it whip faster and hold better.
Chocolate Kiss Smoothing: Smoothing the softened kiss with a spoon helps look more like a smooth cocoa top and tastes extra creamy.
Fresh Peppermint Crumbles: Crush your peppermint sticks just before garnishing so they keep that lovely crunch instead of turning soggy.

How to Serve Hot Chocolate Brownie Bites Recipe

hot chocolate brownie bites - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually reach for mini marshmallows and crushed peppermint sticks because they bring that nostalgic hot chocolate vibe and extra flair. A drizzle of warm chocolate sauce on top finishes it off perfectly—and it’s simply irresistible when slightly melting the whipped cream.

Side Dishes

These brownie bites pair beautifully with a simple cup of espresso or a cozy mug of real hot cocoa. If you’re serving them at a gathering, I like to add some fresh berries or vanilla ice cream on the side—it balances the rich chocolate nicely.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I love arranging these bites in a circular pattern on a nice platter, topped with edible gold dust or little candy canes. Wrapping them individually in festive cupcake liners makes them perfect grab-and-go treats for holiday parties or gift-giving.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store any leftover brownie bites in an airtight container in the fridge. They keep well for about 3 to 4 days, though I’ll be honest — they rarely last that long at my house! Just keep the whipped cream topping intact by storing them chilled and covered to prevent drying out.

Freezing

Freezing works great if you want to make these in advance. I freeze the brownie bites without whipped cream, then thaw and add the whipped topping fresh when ready to serve. This keeps the cream fluffy and fresh instead of soggy or icy.

Reheating

To warm up your brownie bites, heat them gently in the microwave for 10–15 seconds (without the whipped cream). Then add your chilled whipped topping on top before serving. This gives you that perfectly warm gooey brownie with cool creamy topping contrast.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make Hot Chocolate Brownie Bites Recipe from scratch instead of using a boxed mix?

Absolutely! If you prefer making brownies from scratch, you can use your favorite homemade brownie batter. Just keep the baking times similar, and watch for that perfect fudgy center. The addition of the chocolate kiss and stabilized whipped cream will still bring the same magic.

What does the instant white chocolate pudding mix do in the whipped cream?

The pudding mix stabilizes the whipped cream so it holds its shape longer, which is especially helpful if you want to assemble ahead of time. It also adds a subtle white chocolate flavor that complements the chocolate brownie's richness beautifully.

Can I prepare this recipe for a party or make it ahead?

Yes! You can bake the brownie bites and freeze them without the whipped cream several days ahead. Then, whip the cream and add the toppings just before serving for the freshest, most impressive presentation.

What can I substitute for peppermint sticks if I don’t have them?

No worries! You can use crushed candy canes, chocolate shavings, or even chopped nuts for texture and flavor contrast. If you want to skip mint altogether, freeze-dried raspberry pieces or toffee bits make fantastic alternatives.

Final Thoughts

This Hot Chocolate Brownie Bites Recipe holds a special place on my cozy dessert list. It’s quick to make, feels indulgent, and has that nostalgic, comforting flavor combo we all love. I hope you enjoy making (and eating!) these as much as I do — they’re perfect for gifting, parties, or just sweetening your own day.