1-First Step: Preheat and Prepare Your Tools Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s nice and hot when you’re ready. Spray a 24-count mini muffin tin with baking spray using one with flour in it helps prevent sticking, as per the tips. This step sets the stage for even baking and makes cleanup a breeze, which is great for busy parents or anyone short on time.

2-Second Step: Melt the Butter and Chocolate In a microwave-safe bowl, melt 12 tablespoons of unsalted butter and ½ cup of semisweet chocolate chips together. Stir in ½ cup of natural cocoa powder, ½ teaspoon of instant coffee grounds, 1 cup of packed light brown sugar, and ½ cup of granulated sugar until well combined. This creates a rich base that’s full of flavor feel free to adapt by using dark chocolate if you prefer a less sweet version.

3-Third Step: Add the Eggs and Flavorings Beat in 2 large eggs, 1 large egg yolk, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and glossy. For dietary tweaks, vegan bakers can use flax eggs here to keep things plant-based while maintaining that fudgy texture we all love.

4-Fourth Step: Mix the Dry Ingredients In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon of baking powder, and ½ teaspoon of salt. Gradually add this to your wet mixture, stirring just until combined to avoid overmixing, which can make the brownies tough.

5-Fifth Step: Fill and Bake the Muffin Tin Drop the batter by 1.5 tablespoons into each cup of the prepared muffin tin. Bake for 18 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean or with fudgy crumbs check at 15 minutes if your oven runs hot. Immediately after baking, press a rounded teaspoon into the center of each to create a well for the caramel.

6-Sixth Step: Prepare the Caramel Filling While the brownies cool in the tin, combine 35 unwrapped caramels and ½ cup of heavy cream in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir constantly until smooth, then pour the melted caramel into each well. For low-calorie options, you could use a lighter cream alternative here.

7-Final Step: Finish and Serve Sprinkle with fine sea salt and let the brownie bites cool completely before serving they’ll be ready in about 3 hours total, including cooling time. These are perfect for food enthusiasts or newlyweds looking for a sweet shareable treat, and you can even top with crushed pretzels for extra crunch as suggested in the tips.