Oh, you’re in for a treat! These Brownie Sundae Cups are my go-to dessert when I need something quick, indulgent, and guaranteed to impress. Imagine rich, fudgy brownie cups cradling creamy scoops of ice cream, drizzled with chocolate syrup and piled high with toppings—pure magic in every bite. I first made these for my niece’s birthday party, and let’s just say they disappeared faster than the presents were unwrapped. The best part? They’re crazy easy to throw together, and you can customize them with whatever flavors and toppings you love. Trust me, once you try these, they’ll become your secret weapon for any celebration (or just a really good Tuesday night).
Ingredients for Brownie Sundae Cups
Here’s everything you’ll need to make these showstopping treats – and trust me, you probably have most of this in your pantry already! The star is a standard 18-ounce box of brownie mix (I’m partial to the fudge-style ones), but the real magic happens with the toppings. Grab:
- 1 box (about 18 oz) brownie mix – any brand you love
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil (or melted butter for extra richness)
- 1 large egg
- 1 pint vanilla ice cream (but seriously, any flavor works)
- 1/4 cup chocolate syrup (the good, thick kind)
- 1/4 cup whipped cream
- 1/4 cup chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts are my faves)
- 1/4 cup sprinkles or chocolate chips for that perfect party touch
See? Simple stuff that comes together into something absolutely magical. Now let’s get baking!
How to Make Brownie Sundae Cups
Okay, let’s dive into the fun part! These brownie cups come together so easily, but I’ve got a few tricks to make them absolutely perfect. Follow these steps, and you’ll have dessert magic in no time.
Baking the Brownie Cups
First things first – preheat that oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s heating up, grab your muffin tin and either grease it really well or use paper liners (I prefer greasing because you get those gorgeous crispy edges).
Now, mix your brownie batter – just dump the brownie mix, water, oil, and egg into a bowl and stir until everything’s combined. Don’t overmix! A few lumps are totally fine. Spoon the batter into your prepared muffin cups, filling each one about 2/3 full. They’ll puff up beautifully as they bake.
Pop them in the oven for about 15 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs clinging to it – that’s the sweet spot between underbaked and dry. Let them cool completely in the pan before trying to remove them. I know it’s tempting, but patience pays off here!
Assembling the Sundaes
Here’s where the real fun begins! Once your brownie cups are completely cool (seriously, no cheating – warm brownies plus ice cream equals melty mess), scoop your ice cream right into each cup. I like using a melon baller for perfect little scoops.
Now go wild with toppings! Drizzle that rich chocolate syrup over the top, add a dollop of whipped cream, sprinkle on some nuts or sprinkles – whatever makes your heart sing. The key is to assemble these right before serving so the ice cream stays creamy and the brownie cups keep their texture.
Pro tip: If you’re serving these at a party, set up a toppings bar and let everyone customize their own. It’s half the fun!
Why You’ll Love These Brownie Sundae Cups
Seriously, what’s not to adore about these little cups of joy? Here’s why they’ve become my dessert obsession:
- Quick & easy – From pantry to party in under 30 minutes (yes, really!)
- Totally customizable – Swap ice cream flavors, toppings, even brownie mix to match any mood
- Crowd-pleasing magic – Kids go nuts for the sprinkles, adults swoon over the fudgy-chilly combo
- Perfect portion control – Individual servings mean no messy slicing (and no sharing fights!)
- Party superstar – Looks fancy but secretly effortless – my go-to for last-minute gatherings
Honestly, I’ve yet to meet someone who doesn’t instantly fall for these brownie sundae cups. They’re like happiness you can eat!
Tips for Perfect Brownie Sundae Cups
Want your brownie sundae cups to be absolute showstoppers every time? Here are my foolproof secrets:
- Chill those cups! Pop baked brownie cups in the freezer for 10 minutes before adding ice cream – it prevents melting madness.
- Splurge on the syrup – A good quality chocolate syrup makes all the difference in taste and that gorgeous drizzle effect.
- Toast your nuts – Just 5 minutes in a dry pan transforms chopped nuts into crunchy golden perfection.
- Work fast with cold hands – Roll ice cream scoops between palms dusted with powdered sugar to prevent sticky messes.
These little tricks take your sundae cups from good to “can I have your recipe?” amazing!
Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
One of my favorite things about these brownie sundae cups is how easily you can mix things up! Got dietary restrictions or just feeling creative? No problem. Swap the regular brownie mix for a gluten-free version – they work just as beautifully. Dairy-free? Use your favorite non-dairy ice cream (the coconut milk ones are fabulous here).
Not a nut person? Crushed Oreos or graham crackers make fantastic crunchy toppings. For a grown-up twist, try swapping the chocolate syrup for caramel and adding a pinch of sea salt. The possibilities are endless – that’s the beauty of this recipe!
Serving & Storage Instructions
Here’s the scoop on keeping your brownie sundae cups at their best! These treats are meant to be enjoyed immediately after assembling, but if you’ve got leftovers (lucky you!), store the brownie cups and toppings separately. Keep plain brownie cups in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or freeze them for up to a month – just thaw before using. The ice cream? That’s always a right-before-serving situation unless you want a melty mess. For the best texture, I like to pop frozen brownie cups in the microwave for 10 seconds before assembling – just enough to take the chill off without turning them into mush!
Brownie Sundae Cups Nutrition Information
Just so you know what you’re indulging in (not that you’ll regret it!), here’s the approximate nutrition per brownie sundae cup:
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 22g
- Fat: 14g (5g saturated)
- Carbs: 35g
- Protein: 3g
Remember, these numbers can change based on your specific ingredients – like using sugar-free syrup or low-fat ice cream. But hey, it’s dessert – sometimes you just gotta treat yourself!
FAQs About Brownie Sundae Cups
Got questions? I’ve got answers! Here are the most common things people ask me about these irresistible treats:
Can I make the brownie cups ahead? Absolutely! Bake them up to 2 days in advance and store at room temperature in an airtight container. Just wait to add ice cream until right before serving.
What’s the best ice cream flavor? My personal favorite is vanilla bean – it lets the brownie flavor shine. But mint chocolate chip, cookies and cream, or even strawberry make amazing variations!
How do I prevent sogginess? The key is letting brownie cups cool completely before assembling. For extra insurance, pop them in the freezer for 10 minutes before adding ice cream.
Can I use homemade brownie batter? Of course! Just portion it into muffin cups and adjust baking time – start checking at 12 minutes.
Share your creations with us in the comments!
Print
5-Ingredient Brownie Sundae Cups – Simple Dessert Magic
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious brownie cups filled with ice cream and toppings for a perfect dessert.
Ingredients
- 1 box brownie mix
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 egg
- 1 pint vanilla ice cream
- 1/4 cup chocolate syrup
- 1/4 cup whipped cream
- 1/4 cup chopped nuts
- 1/4 cup sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Mix brownie mix, water, oil, and egg in a bowl.
- Spoon batter into greased muffin cups.
- Bake for 15 minutes.
- Let cool completely.
- Scoop ice cream into each brownie cup.
- Top with chocolate syrup, whipped cream, nuts, and sprinkles.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use any ice cream flavor you prefer.
- Store leftover brownie cups in an airtight container.
- Add toppings just before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: brownie sundae cups, dessert, easy recipe
