Introduction: The Perfect Bite of Cookie Bliss
If you’re a fan of chocolate chip cookies (and who isn’t?), then you’re going to fall in love with this upgraded twist: Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Cups. These bite-sized desserts combine the chewy, buttery goodness of a cookie with the indulgent, molten texture of a lava cake — all in a perfectly portioned cup.
Made with pantry staples, loaded with chocolate, and baked in a muffin pan, cookie cups are easy to make, fun to serve, and impossible to resist. Whether you’re looking for a simple weeknight treat, an impressive party dessert, or something for a bake sale, this gooey chocolate chip cookie cups recipe will deliver every time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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Easy to make with basic ingredients
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Perfect individual servings — no slicing or scooping needed
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Gooey center with crisp, golden edges
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Customizable with fillings like Nutella, peanut butter, or caramel
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Ideal for parties, holidays, or everyday cravings
Ingredients Overview
Here’s what you’ll need for these gooey chocolate chip cookie cups:
Dry Ingredients:
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1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
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1/2 tsp baking soda
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1/4 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients:
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1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
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1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
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1/4 cup granulated sugar
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1 large egg
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1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Add-ins:
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1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
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Optional: mini chocolate chips, chopped chocolate chunks, or M&Ms
Filling Options (Optional):
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1/2 cup Nutella, peanut butter, or caramel sauce (for stuffed cookie cups)
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Flaky sea salt for topping
Equipment You’ll Need
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Standard 12-cup muffin pan
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Mixing bowls
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Hand mixer or whisk
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Rubber spatula
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Nonstick spray or butter for greasing
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Cookie scoop (optional, for even portions)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Grease a 12-cup muffin tin well with nonstick spray or butter. You can also use silicone muffin liners for easy removal.
Step 2: Mix the Dough
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In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
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In another bowl, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and slightly thickened.
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Add egg and vanilla extract to the wet mixture. Whisk until fully combined.
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Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing until just combined.
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Fold in the chocolate chips with a spatula.
Pro Tip: Chill the dough for 20 minutes if you want a thicker, chewier texture.
Step 3: Fill the Muffin Tin
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Scoop about 2 tablespoons of dough into each muffin cup.
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Press down lightly to form a cookie base.
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If stuffing, press a teaspoon of filling (e.g., Nutella or caramel) into the center and cover with a bit more dough.
Don’t fill more than 3/4 full — the cookies will puff up as they bake.
Step 4: Bake
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Bake in the preheated oven for 11–13 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers look set but slightly soft.
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Do not overbake — they will firm up as they cool.
Step 5: Cool & Serve
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Let cookie cups cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
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Run a butter knife around the edges if needed, then gently pop them out.
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Serve warm for maximum gooeyness or store for later.
Optional: Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of chocolate syrup for a next-level dessert.
Variations to Try
1.
Stuffed Cookie Cups
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Add a teaspoon of Nutella, Biscoff, peanut butter, or salted caramel to the center for a molten surprise.
2.
S’mores Cookie Cups
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Press a piece of chocolate and a mini marshmallow into the center. Broil briefly for a toasted top.
3.
Holiday Cookie Cups
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Add crushed candy canes, red & green M&Ms, or pumpkin spice for a festive twist.
4.
Gluten-Free
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Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and ensure your mix-ins are GF.
5.
Mini Size
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Use a mini muffin tin and reduce baking time to 8–9 minutes for bite-sized treats.
Storage Tips
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Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
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Refrigerator: Keep chilled for up to 1 week (reheat before serving).
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Freezer: Freeze baked cookie cups for up to 2 months. Thaw and reheat for best texture.
Reheating Tip: Microwave for 10–15 seconds to bring back the gooey center.
Serving Suggestions
These cookie cups shine on their own, but you can elevate them by serving:
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With a scoop of vanilla or cookie dough ice cream
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Drizzled with chocolate ganache or salted caramel
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Topped with whipped cream and berries
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Crumbled into a milkshake or sundae bowl
Perfect for:
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Birthday parties
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Holiday dessert tables
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Bake sales
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Movie nights
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Afternoon treats
Nutrition (Per Cookie Cup Estimate)
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Calories: ~210
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Fat: 11g
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Carbs: 27g
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Sugar: 18g
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Protein: 2g
These are treats, not health food — but they’re worth every bite!
Common Questions (FAQ)
Can I make these without a muffin pan?
You can shape them like traditional cookies on a baking sheet, but the “cup” shape and gooey center won’t be the same.
What’s the best type of chocolate?
Semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips melt well and balance the sweetness, but feel free to experiment with milk or white chocolate.
Can I make these egg-free?
Yes. Replace the egg with 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce or a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water).
How do I keep them gooey?
Don’t overbake! Pull them from the oven when they’re just set in the center.
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely. You can double and freeze half for later or bake two batches if needed.
Recipe Card
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 12 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Servings: 12 cookie cups
Category: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Ingredients:
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1 1/4 cups flour
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1/2 tsp baking soda
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1/4 tsp salt
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1/2 cup melted butter
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1/2 cup brown sugar
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1/4 cup white sugar
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1 egg
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1 1/2 tsp vanilla
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1 cup chocolate chips
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Optional: Nutella or caramel for filling
Instructions:
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease muffin tin.
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Mix dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, salt.
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In another bowl, whisk butter and sugars. Add egg and vanilla.
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Combine dry with wet. Fold in chocolate chips.
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Scoop dough into muffin tin (about 2 tbsp each).
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Optional: Press a spoonful of Nutella into each and cover with more dough.
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Bake 11–13 minutes until edges are golden.
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Cool in pan for 10 minutes. Remove and serve warm.
Final Thoughts: A Must-Try Easy Dessert
Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Cups are proof that you don’t need fancy techniques to create bakery-style desserts at home. With a few ingredients and a muffin tin, you’ll have rich, chewy, chocolatey perfection in under 30 minutes.
These treats strike the perfect balance between indulgent and easy — making them an ideal go-to recipe for both beginners and seasoned bakers. Try them once, and you’ll find yourself making them again and again for every occasion.
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PrintGooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Cups
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Soft, chewy, and irresistibly gooey chocolate chip cookies baked in a muffin tin for a fun, shareable treat.
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
1. Prepare the Crust:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a muffin tin.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream butter and sugars until fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla.
- Gradually mix in dry ingredients, then fold in chocolate chips.
- Scoop dough into muffin cups, filling each about 2/3 full.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until edges are golden but centers are soft. Cool slightly before serving.
Notes
You can customize the seasonings to taste.
Nutrition
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 18g
- Fat: 11g
- Protein: 2g
I’m Shaykee—born in Morocco, seasoned across continents. From airplane galleys to home kitchens, I share the flavors and stories that shaped my journey.