These Easy Beach Brownie Cups will Make a Splash
Beach Brownie Cups are the ultimate party pleaser, especially for beach parties. Imagine bite-sized brownies topped with a swirl of blue buttercream, a candy float, and an adorable teddy bear cookie lounging on top. Perfect for any summer event, they are sure to be a hit with both kids and adults. This post may contain affiliate links.
Why You'll Love Them
- Easy to Make
- Kid-Friendly Fun
- Perfect for Ocean or Summer Parties
- Delicious and Cute
Ingredients
- Brownie mix and water, eggs, and oil the box calls for
- Unsalted butter
- Powdered sugar
- Blue food color
- Round gummy candies
- Teddy graham cookies
How to Make Beach Brownie Cups
Preparing the Brownie Base: Set the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. In a large bowl, combine the brownie mix, eggs, oil, and water. Stir until everything is well-blended and smooth.
Fill the muffin tin: Lightly grease a mini muffin tin or use mini cupcake liners. Pour the batter into the muffin tin, filling each cup about three-quarters full.
Bake: Place the tin in the oven and bake for 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Create the cup shape: While the brownies are still warm, use a teaspoon to gently press down the center of each brownie, creating a cup shape. Let the brownie cups cool completely in the tin before moving on to decorating.
Assembling the Beach Cups
Make the frosting: Beat the butter with an electric mixer until fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar and beat until smooth. Mix in blue food coloring until you reach your desired shade of blue.
Frost the brownies: Use a piping bag or a spoon to add a swirl of blue frosting to each brownie cup. This will represent the ocean. If you don't have a piping bag, a resealable plastic bag with a corner snipped off works too.
Add the floating bear: Place a round gummy candy (like a Lifesaver or peach ring) on top of the frosting. Gently press a teddy graham cookie into the center of each gummy ring, making it look like the bear is lounging on a float.
For an extra touch, sprinkle some crushed graham crackers around the edges of the frosting to mimic sand. You can also add mini umbrellas to complete the beach look.
Fun Ways to Serve
Making Mini Beach Brownies is only half the fun; serving them can take your summer treats to the next level. Here are some exciting ideas to present your Beach Brownie Cups that will make your dessert table the star of any gathering.
Beach-Themed Platter
Arrange your Beach Brownie Cups on a large platter decorated with a beach theme. Spread out some crushed graham crackers to mimic sand, and place your brownie cups on top. Add a few decorative items like mini umbrellas, cocktail palm trees, or seashells around the platter.
Individual Beach Buckets
Serve each Beach Brownie Cup in a mini, colorful beach bucket. You can find these mini buckets at most dollar stores, and they add a cute, personalized touch to your treats. Plus, guests can take their bucket home as a little keepsake from your party.
Seaside Cake Stand
Elevate your dessert table by displaying Beach Brownie Cups on a tiered cake stand. To keep with the beach theme, you can wrap the stand with blue or turquoise ribbons. Place a few starfish decorations and small shells on each tier for added decoration. A tiered stand not only looks beautiful but also makes it easier for guests to grab a treat.
How to Store Leftover Beach Brownie Cups
The mini beach brownies will last at room temperature for 2-3 days. Be sure to place them in an airtight container.
In the Refrigerator. Place the brownies in the airtight container and place it in the refrigerator. They can last up to five days. Does the frosting harden in the fridge? Yes, it gets a bit firmer, which can actually make them less messy to eat.
Freezing for Later
Want to keep your Beach Brownie Cups for a longer time? Freezing them is a fantastic option.
- Flash Freeze First: Place the brownie cups on a baking sheet and put them in the freezer for about an hour. This helps solidify the decorations and frosting.
- Wrap Individually: Once frozen, wrap each brownie cup in plastic wrap. This extra layer of protection prevents freezer burn.
- Store in a Freezer Bag: Place the wrapped cups in a large resealable freezer bag. Squeeze out any excess air before sealing the bag.
- Label and Date: Don’t forget to label the bag with the date. Frozen Beach Brownie Cups can be stored for up to a month.
When you’re ready to enjoy them, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for a few hours.
Quick Tips for Freshness When Storing Mini Beach Brownie Cups
Here are a few extra tips to keep your Beach Brownie Cups at their best:
- Avoid Excess Moisture: Moisture can make the brownies soggy. Make sure they're completely cool before storing.
- Keep Away from Strong Odors: Brownies can absorb strong smells from the fridge or freezer. Store them in an airtight container to avoid this.
- Serve at Room Temperature: Let the brownie cups come to room temperature before serving to bring back their original texture and taste.
Tips and Tricks
Keep It Simple
- Follow the Box: Use a standard brownie mix and follow the instructions on the box. It's designed to be foolproof.
- Consistent Measurements: Make sure to measure oil, water, and any additional ingredients precisely. Consistency is key to achieving the ideal brownie texture.
Quick Fixes
Sometimes, things don’t go as planned. Here’s how to fix common issues quickly.
- Brownies Too Dry?: If your brownies seem dry, brush a little simple syrup (equal parts water and sugar boiled together) over them before adding the frosting.
- Frosting Too Thin?: If your frosting is too runny, add more powdered sugar, a little at a time, until it thickens to your desired consistency.
FAQs for Beach Brownie Cups
Can I Use Homemade Brownie Mix?
Yes. While using a box mix is convenient, you can certainly make your own brownie batter from scratch if you prefer. Just make sure to follow a recipe that yields a fudgy texture, as it holds up better for this recipe.
What If I Don’t Have Mini Muffin Tins?
You can use a regular muffin tin, but keep in mind that the baking time will be longer. Fill each cup about halfway and start checking for doneness around the 20-minute mark. You’ll still press down the centers to create the cup shape.
Do I Have to Use Teddy Grahams?
No, feel free to get creative! While Teddy Grahams are a cute choice, you can substitute them with other cookies or candies that fit your theme. The idea is to create a fun beach scene, so let your imagination run wild. Gummy bears are a good choice if you want to stay with bears but can't use Teddy Grahams.
More Beach Party Treats
- How to Make Beach Day Graham Crackers
- Beach Party Candy Charcuterie Board
- How To Make Shark Bait Snack Mix
- How To Make Sandy Paw Print Cupcakes
Beach Brownie Cups
Beach Brownie Cups are the ultimate party pleaser, especially for beach parties. Imagine bite-sized brownies topped with a swirl of blue buttercream, a candy float, and an adorable teddy bear cookie lounging on top. Perfect for any summer event, they are sure to be a hit with both kids and adults.
Ingredients
- 18.3 box of brownie mix
- The water, eggs and oil the box calls for
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 6 cups powdered sugar
- Blue food color
- 48 round gummy candies
- 48 Teddy graham cookies
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Combine the brownie mix with the water, eggs, and oil your particular box mix calls for in a large bowl.
- Fill mini muffin tin ¾ of the way up ( make a couple of batches if needed)
- Bake for 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
- While the brownie cups are still warm use a teaspoon to press down the center to create a cup shape.
- Set aside and let them cool completely.
- To make buttercream frosting, you’ll need an electric hand mixer to whip the butter.
- Add the powdered sugar slowly to the butter.
- Add some blue food coloring.
- Whip until all combined.
- If the frosting color is not the shade you like, you can add more food coloring until the desired tint is achieved.
- Spread or pipe your buttercream into the brownie cups.
- Add a gummy ring candy to the top of each cup.
- Press a teddy graham into the center the candy rings.
- Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Yield 45 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 191Total Fat 4gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 3gCholesterol 5mgSodium 113mgCarbohydrates 38gFiber 1gSugar 20gProtein 2g
This nutritional information is for reference only. We are not responsible for these calculations.