This is another installment of- “Take old posts and make them even better.” I’ve been in love with these brownies for a couple years, but felt that the recipe could afford a couple changes so here we are!
Since starting this blog, I seem to analyze every dessert item I put into my mouth. In any given meal I think- “Could I recreate this?” “Is that dark chocolate?” “How is this cake so fluffy?” (More often than not, I try to not eat sweets when I’m out because I always eat so many at home.) Sometimes though, I come across something so delicious that I have to keep buying it out until I figure out how to recreate it. What am I talking about you may ask? Well yes- the Sea Salt Brownie Bites from Trader Joes. I’m obsessed. I always throw a container into my cart and often times have made a serious dent in them before I even get to checkout. (Oops.) So you are probably not surprised that I had made it my mission to recreate something as similar as possible.
I didn’t really think I could make a version of my favorite bite-sized treats that I loved more than the original, but boy was I wrong. These are in a whole other league from the store bought ones. Really they are just amazing, dark chocolate, fudgy brownies that are kicked up a notch with a sprinkling of flaky sea salt. Originally these were made in a mini-muffin tin, but after a few batches, I found that sometimes they didn’t pop out as easily as I’d like. So- this go around I just made them in an 8×8 pan which allows for cutting them into whatever size portion you want. (I had planned to make them bite-sized, but I couldn’t resist.)
These brownies have perfectly crisp edges, fudgy centers, and just enough bits of flaky sea salt to make them truly out of this world. They come together in no time and are super easy to throw into a ziploc and bring to any outing or get together. (A summer picnic maybe?) I can’t wait to make these again!
Recipe adapted from: Chasing Delicious
Nicola Quinn says
These brownie bites look so dense and fudgy – love it!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
Yum!! These look so fabulous!
Ashley says
Looks like I have to go get some flaky sea salt. I’ve seen these at my Trader Joe’s and never picked them up, but holy smokes these look fantastic.
carolyn bradford says
WOW!! These look amazing! I can’t wait to try them! I’ve missed reading all of your great posts! So glad I saw this one!
Carolyn Bradford
Mi Vida en un Dulce says
Yes, these are really fudgy brownies, loo dense and decadent…!!!
Siri says
Um, I can’t even handle that picture – the center looks so FUDGY OOEY GOOEY! Must make.
Cassie Laemmli says
Ooo, now I want to go to TJ’s and try these brownie bites. Haven’t had them yet but your version looks amazing!
Averie Cooks says
fabulous looking bites and I love any of those little “bites” that TJs sell..those little plastic cartons are dangerous :)
Becca says
I’ve never been to Trader Joe’s but I keep reading about it. It kind of makes me jealous, haha. But because I’ve never been there, I’ve never heard of these brownies. But just looking at your pictures makes me want to eat several. I love fudgy insides! :D
Me And My Sweets says
WOW! This is something I’ll put on my to-do list! !Thanks for sharing
Erin says
I love mini brownies! Brownies are my all time favorite dessert, and if they are mini, I can eat more!
Lisa @ Sweet 2 Eat Baking says
No Trader Joe’s here in the UK but I keep hearing about it too. These look so fantastic. The photos look amazing, loving the sea salt popping out. Can’t wait to try these so I know in some ways what you’re talking about.
Allison @ bunandbiscuit says
I love salty and sweet combinations plus mini-sized desserts (I don’t feel as guilty). I can’t wait to try these out!
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious says
Bite-sized foods are always more fun to eat! Although I’m sure it’s just as dangerous. I could eat a million of these and not feel full.
Georgia The Comfort of Cooking says
Haha! I so know what you mean about the analyzing of baked goods, but since I cook so often I do the same thing with EVERYTHING I eat. It’s bittersweet. But, I’m going to Spain and France soon so it will be doubly hard to control with all the amazing food options! Thanks for sharing these brownie bites – Love the sweet saltiness of them!
Grubarazzi says
Wow. These look incredible! Way to recreate!
Jen Laceda says
GENIUS! This one’s a keeper! Bookmarking these delicious brownie bites now..,hallelujah!
Stelly Jalai says
hey Audra, it’s Stella!!!!!! Love what you make, and miss you!!!!!
Lani says
I made these yesterday to bring to a cookout. Wow!! They are delish, and easy. Glad for the warning that things will look a little grainy. I got concerned when I started adding the eggs since the batter looked “broken”, but I pushed through. Things smoothed out as soon as I added the flour. They were a big hit, and I love the fact that every single one has crispy chewy edges. I don’t think I’ll ever make a pan of brownies again. This is my new go-to brownie recipe! Thanks for all your wonderful ideas!
20somethingcupcakes says
These look so easy and perfect! Love sea salt on just about everything lately.
Becca Looney says
I made these about a week ago and they were really good. I ended up only making 1/3 of the recipe because I didn’t need 36 brownie bites, but 12 was the perfect number. The only thing is I don’t think I have your affinity for salty/sweet combos. I took a bite and it was much to salty for my prefrence, but the brownie itself was really nice! :)
sheri says
Yummmm! Made these yesterday. Got rave reviews and had three people ask for the recipe!
Thank you!
wendypie says
Have you ever tried to add caramel to them?
Guest says
I just came upon this recipe and it looks delicious. How much salt do you add to the batter?
emi says
okay, these look AMAZING! we must have the same taste, because i love those at traders and now i can make them!! can’t wait to try them. thanks!
xo
http:www.chaseandem.blogspot.com
Hannah says
I just wanna say, I came across this recipe awhile ago and have made it many, many times (never in bite-size form, though), and they’re the BEST brownies EVER. I haven’t even tried any other recipes since I found this one because it is perfection. Thank you for this wonderful recipe!
Audra says
Thanks Hannah- I love it too!!
Vickie S. says
I’m kind of new to your fantastic blog, so this is the first time I’ve seen this recipe and I will definitely make it. But I have a question – why should the eggs be cold? All my life I’ve made sure all the ingredients are at room temp. I know there must be a good reason for the cold eggs, just can’t figure it out!
Audra says
I am not exactly sure why they need to be cold, but I’m guessing it is because the chocolate mixture is still warm at that point, and mixing the eggs in cold helps neutralize the batter.
It was a selling point in the original recipe I adapted from and I never changed it because these were so perfect :)
Vickie S. says
Ok then! Thanks so much and I appreciate your quick reply! Happy baking!
NRS says
Audra, which cocoa and chocolate do you like to use in these? Thanks!
Audra says
Hi! I used 70% dark chocolate and Dutch process cocoa powder :)
NRS says
Thanks! Droste is my go-to Dutch-processed so will use that. But as for the chocolate, do you use a baking bar like ghirardelli or eating chocolate? Do you mind saying which brand of 70% you like for this?
Audra says
I used Green & Black 70% dark choc for these but usually use whatever I can find ;)
Kayla sanders says
Hey where do you buy your flaky sea salt?
Audra says
Kayla I got this stuff from Trader Joes! In the past though- I’ve used Maldon brand a lot! :)
sf says
Audra – Quick question: how could I substitute 60% bittersweet chocolate for the 70% listed in the recipe?
Audra says
I really think that would be fine :)
Mary says
Although they are a bit harder to “pry” out of the mini muffin pans, I have always thought that idea was ingenious. I will probably continue to make them that way because I pop them out, throw them in a freezer bag, and always have a stash ready to defrost. We take them to the lake all the time.
Kris says
I made these the other day. I found them to have too much butter in them, which is something I’ve never said about a baked good, ha! My batter had an oily texture, and once the brownies were cool, they were tongue-coatingly buttery. If I made these again I might just use 1.5 sticks of butter, or maybe even 1.
Jenna says
I made these today and they are incredible! Sooooo chocolatey and luscious. My only issue was mine came out a bit too crumbly and fell apart more than I would like. Any idea why that might have happened?
Thank you for the recipe – it is sure to become a favorite!
Audra says
Hmm- maybe you over-baked a bit? Or over mixed the batter?
fiorella says
I had brownies pregnancy craving!! Made them on saturday! omg!!! they get better everyday! loved them!!
eva says
This is by far the best brownies recipe I’ve ever made! Thank you so much for the recipe!
Hannah says
These sound amazing!
I was wondering a couple of things, 1) is these away I can melt the chocolate another way with out the double boiler or make shift double boiler? Can I just melt the chocolate in a pot or even in the microwave? 2) Die you use regular or dark coco powder?
Julia says
Do you think it’s possible to sub most of the cocoa powder with the baking chocolate since I don’t have powder on hand? Thanks!