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Perfect Graduation Cap Brownie Bites with Peanut Butter Cups

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These bite-sized brownie treats topped with mini peanut butter cups and decorated with frosting tassels are quick, easy, and perfect for graduation celebrations. They combine rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter flavors in a playful, crowd-pleasing dessert.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup (40g) unsweetened cocoa powder (preferably Dutch-processed)
  • 1/2 cup (65g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • Mini peanut butter cups, unwrapped (about 24 pieces)
  • Black or dark chocolate frosting (store-bought or homemade)
  • White or yellow frosting for tassels (use a piping bag with a small round tip)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy brownie removal.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the melted butter and sugar until combined (about 1-2 minutes). Add eggs one at a time, whisking well after each. Stir in vanilla extract.
  3. In a separate bowl, sift together cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder. Gradually add the dry mix to the wet ingredients, folding gently with a spatula until just combined. Do not overmix.
  4. Pour batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly using an offset spatula. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Use a toothpick to check doneness; it should come out with a few moist crumbs but not wet batter.
  5. Let the brownies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes.
  6. Cut brownies into approximately 1.5-inch squares using the parchment overhang to lift them out.
  7. Place one mini peanut butter cup on top of each brownie square, pressing gently to adhere without squishing the base.
  8. Using black or dark chocolate frosting, pipe a thin square border around each peanut butter cup to mimic a graduation cap mortarboard.
  9. Pipe a small tassel on one corner of the cap using white or yellow frosting with a piping bag fitted with a small round tip.
  10. Place the decorated bites in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to allow the frosting to set.
  11. Serve chilled or at room temperature and enjoy.

Notes

Use room temperature eggs for smooth batter. Do not overbake to keep brownies fudgy. Cool brownies completely before decorating to prevent melting. If frosting is too thick or thin, adjust with milk/water or powdered sugar. For gluten-free, substitute flour with gluten-free blend. For dairy-free, use coconut oil and dairy-free peanut butter cups. Mini muffin tins can be used for bite-sized portions without cutting. Practice piping tassels on parchment paper first for neat decoration.

Nutrition

Keywords: graduation treats, brownie bites, peanut butter cups, easy dessert, party snacks, chocolate peanut butter, graduation party dessert

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