Ever find yourself craving the comforting taste of chocolate chip cookie dough but hesitant to eat it raw? Or maybe you’re baking a cake and need a little something to prevent that dreaded sunken center? Well, look no further! These Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites are the perfect solution. They’re bite-sized, perfectly formed, and bursting with that classic cookie dough flavor we all adore.
Why You’ll Love These Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites
These little bites of happiness are a winner for so many reasons:
- Perfectly Portioned: Just the right size for a quick treat or a satisfying addition to a dessert plate.
- No-Sink Secret: Use them in the center of cakes to help prevent sinking! (More on that later.)
- Easy to Make: The recipe is straightforward and requires minimal effort.
- Kid-Friendly: Both making and eating these is a guaranteed fun activity for the whole family.
- Customizable: Easily adapt the recipe to your liking with different chocolate chips or additions.
Gathering Your Ingredients for Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites
Before we dive into the baking process, let’s gather our ingredients. This recipe relies on a balance of classic baking staples and a few special touches to achieve that perfect cookie dough flavor and texture. It all starts with the dry ingredients that give the bites their shape and structure and ends with the melted milk chocolate chips that add extra flavor and richness.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 cup All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of our cookie dough bites. Make sure to measure accurately – too much flour can lead to dry, crumbly bites.
- 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda: This helps the bites rise slightly, giving them a tender crumb.
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt: A crucial ingredient for balancing the sweetness and enhancing the other flavors.
Next, we move on to the ingredients that provide richness, sweetness, and that signature cookie dough flavor:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) Unsalted Butter, Softened: Softened butter is key for creaming properly with the sugars, resulting in a light and airy texture. Ensure it’s truly soft, not melted.
- 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps to create a crisp edge on the bites.
- 1/4 cup Packed Light Brown Sugar: The brown sugar adds moisture and a caramel-like flavor that elevates these bites to another level. The molasses content is key!
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile and adds a touch of warmth. Use a good quality vanilla extract for the best results.
- 1 Large Egg: Binds the ingredients together and contributes to the richness and texture.
And finally, the ingredients that make these bites extra special:
- 1 cup Chocolate Chips: The star of the show! Use your favorite type of chocolate chips – semi-sweet, dark, or even white chocolate chips would work well.
- 1/2 cup Peanut Butter: This adds a creamy, nutty flavor that complements the chocolate perfectly. Smooth peanut butter works best.
- 1/4 cup Milk Chocolate Chips for Melting: For that irresistible chocolate drizzle on top. You can substitute dark chocolate chips if you prefer a richer flavor.
Crafting Your Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites: Step-by-Step
Ready to get baking? Don’t worry, this recipe is super simple and fun. Follow these steps carefully, and you’ll be enjoying delicious cookie dough bites in no time. Remember, a little attention to detail goes a long way in baking!
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Getting the oven to the right temperature from the start is crucial for even baking. This ensures the bites cook properly without burning.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Whisking ensures that the baking soda and salt are evenly distributed throughout the flour. This is important for a consistent texture and flavor.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This is arguably the most important step! Creaming the butter and sugars incorporates air into the mixture, which results in a lighter, more tender bite. Use an electric mixer for best results and cream for at least 3-5 minutes.
- Beat in the vanilla extract and egg until well combined. Make sure the egg is fully incorporated into the butter and sugar mixture. This helps to create a smooth and cohesive dough.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookie dough, so be careful not to overdo it. Mix until the flour is just incorporated.
- Stir in 1 cup of chocolate chips and peanut butter. Gently fold in the chocolate chips and peanut butter until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Form the cookie dough into small balls. Press down gently on the top of each ball to flatten slightly. Flattening the dough slightly helps them bake evenly and prevents them from being too round. I like to use a small cookie scoop to ensure they are uniform in size.
- Prepare a mini muffin tin by lining it with paper liners. This makes it easy to remove the bites and prevents them from sticking to the tin.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes. DO NOT overbake. They will appear slightly soft. Overbaking will result in dry, hard bites. They should be soft to the touch when you remove them from the oven. Remember, they will continue to set as they cool.
- Let the bites cool completely in the muffin tin. This is another crucial step to prevent sinking! Cooling in the tin allows the bites to set and maintain their shape.
- While the bites are cooling, melt 1/4 cup of milk chocolate chips in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Microwave in short bursts to prevent the chocolate from burning. Stir until smooth and creamy.
- Drizzle the melted chocolate over the cooled cookie dough bites, and sprinkle with extra chocolate chips. Get creative with your drizzle! A simple zigzag pattern works well, or you can use a piping bag for more intricate designs.
- Refrigerate for 15-20 minutes to allow the chocolate to set. This will help the chocolate harden and create a nice, firm topping.
Tips for Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites Every Time
Want to ensure your Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites are a smashing success? Here are a few extra tips and tricks:
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: This is especially important for the butter and egg. Room temperature ingredients combine more easily and create a smoother batter.
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, leading to tough bites. Mix until just combined.
- Chill the Dough: If you have time, chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking can help prevent spreading and create a more concentrated flavor.
- Vary the Chocolate: Experiment with different types of chocolate chips, like dark chocolate, white chocolate, or even peanut butter chips.
- Add Ins: Get creative with other additions, such as chopped nuts, sprinkles, or mini marshmallows.
- For Cake Sinking Prevention: Bake these bites halfway and then insert them into the center of a cake batter before baking the cake fully. This helps to support the cake structure and prevent sinking. This is especially helpful for cakes with a lot of moisture or heavy fillings. For a related recipe, you might like these double chocolate espresso muffins!
What to Serve With Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites
These Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites are delicious on their own, but they also pair well with a variety of other treats. They would be amazing alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or as part of a dessert platter. You could also crumble them over a bowl of yogurt or use them as a topping for a milkshake. For a more elaborate dessert, consider adding them to a layered trifle or parfait.
Your Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites Questions Answered (FAQ)
Can I make these bites ahead of time?
Absolutely! These bites can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also freeze them for longer storage – just thaw them completely before enjoying.
Can I use a different type of flour?
While all-purpose flour works best, you can experiment with other types of flour. If you’re looking for a gluten-free option, you can try using a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. For more information, you might be interested in an article about making bread.
Can I omit the peanut butter?
Yes, if you don’t like peanut butter or have a peanut allergy, you can easily omit it. Simply replace it with an equal amount of softened butter or cream cheese for a similar texture. Alternatively, you could try using a different nut butter, like almond butter or cashew butter.
Why did my bites sink?
Sinking is often caused by overbaking or not allowing the bites to cool completely in the muffin tin. Make sure to bake them for only 8-10 minutes and let them cool undisturbed in the tin until they are completely set. You may also want to make sure your baking soda isn’t expired.
Enjoy Your Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites!
There you have it – a simple, foolproof recipe for delicious Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites that are guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth and maybe even save your next cake! So grab your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to bake up a batch of these irresistible treats. Don’t forget to leave a comment below and let me know how they turned out. And if you loved this recipe, be sure to share it with your friends and family!
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites (Stops Cakes Sinking!)
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/4 cup milk chocolate chips for melting
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in vanilla extract and egg until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Stir in 1 cup of chocolate chips.
- Form the cookie dough into small balls. Press down gently on the top of each ball to flatten slightly. This is important for even baking.
- Prepare a mini muffin tin by lining it with paper liners.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes. DO NOT overbake. They will appear slightly soft.
- Let the bites cool completely in the muffin tin. This allows them to set and prevent sinking.
- While the bites are cooling, melt 1/4 cup of milk chocolate chips in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
- Drizzle the melted chocolate over the cooled cookie dough bites, and sprinkle with extra chocolate chips.
- Refrigerate for 15-20 minutes to allow the chocolate to set.