In a week, the school where I teach will be littered with pink candy craziness. It’s really sweet to see, actually. Teenagers tend to get into the holiday a lot more than their adult counterparts, which explains why all those cheesy teddy bears and balloons get sold year after year.
In fact, when I was that age, I really wanted a teddy bear on Valentine’s Day. I got one eventually, and when I did, it took away all the mystique and appeal. I guess maybe it’s not always a good idea to get what we think we want. Turns out, a bear holding a heart is still just a bear.
But I do still get excited every Valentine’s Day, and part of that excitement stems from the anticipation of adorable desserts. Desserts should be cute on Valentine’s, and they should also be creative. I’m not trying to hate on chocolate lava cake (because it is totally delicious and amazing), but why can’t we have other little cakes as well? Or, dare I suggest it, little cookie cakes?
These are pretty awesome. What we’ve got here is a chocolate chunk cookie mini-cake, but with a lovely bit of melty chocolate inside. I stick a big square of bittersweet chocolate into the middle of the cake to give it an extra chocolate punch.
Served warm, the chocolate oozes out. Served cool, it’s still a lot of fun. And there’s tons of potential for romance with these babies! Or, you know, just a really good ten minutes. Whatever works for you.
The greatest thing about cookie cakes is that you don’t have to chill any dough before baking. The other greatest thing about these particular cookie cakes is that they’re portion-controlled. Have your Valentine’s Day cake and save the rest for another time!
Kids love them, too. Nothing was more gratifying than watching my daughter plow through her cookie cake with a look of sheer stubborn determination on her face, like it was a mountain she was going to conquer. Someday, she’ll have no trouble eating two of these in one sitting. But for now, they look big to a little girl’s eyes.
Whatever your sweet choices are for the upcoming holiday, make sure they’re cute. Whether that means they’re pink, they’re mini, or both, seize the day!
Mini Chocolate Chunk Cookie Cakes
Ingredients
2 and 1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, softened to room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
1 cup chocolate chunks
1 bittersweet chocolate bar (good quality)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350. Coat a muffin pan with pan release spray. Pam will work, but be careful.
- In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter and both sugars until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla and eggs, stirring until incorporated.
- Add the flour mixture gradually, beating until just combined. Fold in the chocolate chunks.
- Fill each muffin cup partway with a large ball of cookie dough (about 2 tablespoons). Press 1-2 chocolate squares in the center, pushing down to be sure that the dough underneath spreads. Cover with a second ball of cookie dough.
- Spray a spoon with cooking spray and use it to flatten the top layer of each muffin cup completely, covering the chocolate.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until the cakes are golden and the centers are set.
- Cool for 10 minutes. Flip carefully onto a platter. Serve immediately if you want the chocolate to be melted, or you can heat them up later.
3.1
http://justaboutbaked.com/mini-chocolate-chunk-cookie-cakes/
These cakes are gorgeous, Mir! I love how their almost like a chocolate chip lava cake, sounds delicious! And perfect for individual servings, too!
Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…Whipped Garlic Hummus with Parmesan Tortilla Chips
They could be more lava-like with more chocolate inside, Gayle, so go for it!
“A bear holding a heart is still just a bear….” hahahaha! But this mini chocolate chunk cookie cake will never lose its mystique! I’ll take a dozen!
Annie @ ciaochowbambina recently posted…Slow Cooker Dark Beer Braised Short Ribs with Mashed Red-Skinned Potatoes
Chocolate is forever mysterious, Annie. That’s why it’s the best food ever.
Mir, that melty chocolate inside gets me every time. . I love these!!! and here’s hoping you get something you want and are excited about this Valentine’s Day. . and that it’s not a teddy bear holding a heart! 😛
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom recently posted…The Best Chocolate Cake. Ever.
Thanks, Alice! I guess I’d be happy if I got the teddy bear, but it’s no longer what I’m salivating for. I’d rather get a nice night out with some good wine and dessert!
Mir, these are extremely cute! Always wanted to try cookie cups like these! Thanks for sharing!
Mira recently posted…Tiramisu Cupcakes
Thanks, Mira! I’m going to check out your cupcakes in just a sec…
These look so good! I can’t eat gluten or dairy but I think this recipe would lend itself really well to substitutions. Thanks so much for sharing!
I hope it does, Kristen! Let me know if it works out. I’m super interested!
That ooey gooey chocolate… yum! I may be a teenager, but I’ll take these over the bear any day! 🙂
That’s because you’re a baker, Medha! Most of your peers, not so much…
WANT! These look amazing Mir! Love that melty chocolate shot girl!
Trish – Mom On Timeout recently posted…Printable Valentine’s Day Coupon Book for Kids!
Thanks, Trish! A shot of chocolate is such a happy thing!
Combining cookie and cake sounds like a great idea to me! These look delicious, that melty chocolate is amazing!
Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. recently posted…Cherry Do-Dads
Thanks, Stacey! I like it oozing out!
very cute cakes! 🙂 looks so gooey and chocolaty!
Manali @ CookWithManali recently posted…Mini Snickers Cheesecakes
Thanks much, Manali! I’m into the cuteness!
Sounds delicious! Can I bake it all as one big cookie in a cake pan or does it need to be done the way you have shown?
Thanks, Melissa!
I’m afraid you can’t do that. I’d recommend taking a standard chocolate chip cookie recipe and using that if you want a bigger cookie. This one is tailored for smaller portions.
thanks for letting me know. did you see my other question about chocolate chunks vs. chocolate chips?
Any dry mix-in can always be replaced with another, and amounts are to taste.
One more question…Can the chocolate chunks be done as chocolate chips instead, but add more in?
Melissa A recently posted…It takes two…
I’m so into this. Tiny cakes and giant cookies. It’s all so Wonderlandesque. I’ve gotta try this!
Renee @ Awesome on $20 recently posted…10 Awesome Award-Winning Classic Films
Wonderland? I love that! Thanks, Renee!