Blintz Brownie Bites

Name: Blintz Brownie Bites
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 1/2 cup small curd cottage cheese (strained); 4 oz cream cheese (softened to room temperature); 2 tbsp honey (or maple syrup for a different note); 1/2 tsp lemon zest (freshly grated for best flavor); 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1 pinch salt; 1 box brownie mix (18 oz, plus required ingredients from the package (usually eggs, oil, water))

Delicious Blintz Brownie Bites with chocolate and creamy filling

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Creamy, chocolatey, and delightfully portable — these Blintz Brownie Bites are everything you want in a little dessert: rich brownie, a tangy blintz-style filling, and a perfect bite-sized balance of sweet and slightly tart. They bake up quickly, travel well, and disappear fastest from any party table. Fun fact: the blintz filling borrows from Eastern European cheese-filled crepes, giving the brownies a lovely cheesecake-like surprise in the center. If you love easy handheld desserts, try pairing them with other small treats like our apple crisp bites for a dessert board that’s all crowd-pleasers. This recipe is special because it’s simple, family-friendly, and fast — even beginner bakers can get bakery-style results. Ready to make something irresistible? Let’s get baking!

What is Blintz Brownie Bites?

What on earth is a Blintz Brownie Bite — is it a crepe? Is it a brownie? Yes, it’s a playful mashup that answers that exact question with a bite-sized wink. Imagine a fudgy brownie cup with a creamy, slightly sweet cheese filling tucked into the center, like a blintz folded into brownie form. Why might it be called this way? Maybe someone thought, why wrap cheese in a crepe when you can nestle it inside a brownie — genius! After all, “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” Curious? Try them and decide for yourself if the name fits — I promise they’re worth a taste.

Why You’ll Love This

These Blintz Brownie Bites are irresistible for three big reasons. First, the main highlight is the contrast: deep, rich brownie surrounding a bright, creamy cheese center that melts in your mouth. Second, making them at home saves money compared to buying fancy bakery bites — a single box of mix plus a few dairy staples makes dozens of treats. Third, the flavor hits all the notes: chocolatey richness, tangy cottage-cream cheese filling, a hint of lemon and honey for brightness. If you love flavor-packed little desserts, you’ll find them even more satisfying than plain brownies, and they’re a delicious complement to other small desserts like our apple fritter bites. Make a batch — friends will be asking for the recipe.

How to Make

Quick Overview

This recipe is easy, fast, and deeply satisfying. You’ll mix a simple cheesecake-like blintz filling, prepare a boxed brownie batter for speed, and assemble bite-sized cups in a mini muffin pan. The result: fudgy brownie texture with a soft, creamy center. Prep time is about 15 minutes; bake time around 25 minutes. Perfect for parties, bake sales, or a weeknight treat when you want something special without complicated steps.

Ingredients

1/2 cup small curd cottage cheese, strained (use a fine mesh or cheesecloth to remove excess liquid)
4 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
2 tbsp honey (or maple syrup for a slightly different note)
1/2 tsp lemon zest (freshly grated for the best flavor)
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
1 box (18 oz) brownie mix, plus required ingredients from the package (usually eggs, oil, water) — follow package directions for mixing the batter

Directions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Make sure the oven rack is in the center position for even baking.
In a medium bowl, combine the strained cottage cheese, softened cream cheese, honey, lemon zest, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Use a hand mixer or whisk to blend until smooth and creamy. If it’s slightly lumpy from the cottage cheese, keep mixing until reasonably smooth — a few tiny curds are fine and add charm. Set the filling aside.
Prepare the brownie mix according to the package instructions. Mix just until combined; avoid overmixing to keep the brownies tender.
Line a 24-cup mini muffin pan with paper liners and lightly grease them (a quick spray or dab of butter on the liner will help prevent sticking).
Spoon brownie batter into each cup, filling about 3/4 full. Using a small spoon or piping bag, add a small dollop (about 1/2 teaspoon) of the blintz filling to the center of each brownie cup. Gently press the filling slightly into the batter, but don’t push it all the way through.
Bake for about 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the brownie portion (not the center filling) comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs. Rotate the pan halfway through baking if your oven heats unevenly.
Let them cool in the pan on a wire rack for 5–10 minutes, then transfer to the rack to cool completely or serve warm. These are delicious warm or at room temperature.

Blintz Brownie Bites

What to Serve With

Serve Blintz Brownie Bites with a few complementary options to round out the dessert experience. Fresh berries and a dusting of powdered sugar brighten the richness. A dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of chocolate ganache pairs beautifully. For drinks, hot coffee, espresso, or a lightly sweetened iced tea are great choices. If you want a brunch twist, serve with a small fruit salad and a citrusy sparkling beverage.

Top Tips for Perfecting

Ingredient substitutions: If you don’t have cottage cheese, try ricotta drained well. For a dairy-free version, experiment with a vegan cream cheese and drained silken tofu.
Timing adjustments: If your mini muffins brown too quickly, lower oven temperature by 25°F and add a few extra minutes to baking time.
Flavor enhancements: Stir in a touch of cinnamon or a teaspoon of orange zest to the filling for a seasonal touch. Fold in a tablespoon of chocolate chips into the brownie batter for pockets of melty chocolate.
Common mistakes to avoid: Don’t overfill the cups — the batter rises, and overfilling can cause overflow. Also, avoid overbaking; you want fudgy centers, not dry cake.
Prep shortcuts: Use a small cookie scoop for uniform batter portions and a pastry bag (or zip-top bag with a corner snipped) to pipe the blintz filling cleanly.

Storing and Reheating Tips

Refrigeration: Store leftover bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The filling keeps well and the brownies remain moist.
Freezing: For longer storage, freeze on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Reheating: Warm individual bites in the microwave for 10–15 seconds, or bake at 300°F (150°C) for 5–7 minutes to refresh the edges and warm the filling. If frozen, let thaw in the fridge and then warm gently.

FAQs

Can I make the filling ahead of time?
Yes. The blintz filling can be made a day ahead and refrigerated in an airtight container. Bring it to near room temperature and stir before using for easier dolloping.

What if I don’t have a mini muffin pan?
You can use a standard muffin tin, but adjust bake time (usually 18–22 minutes) and expect larger portions. The center-to-edge ratio will change, so add a little more filling per cup.

Can I use homemade brownie batter instead of a box mix?
Absolutely. A favorite homemade brownie recipe works fine; just keep an eye on bake time and texture since homemade mixes can vary in density.

How can I prevent the filling from sinking or mixing into the batter?
Make sure the batter is thick enough before adding filling and place the dollop gently in the center. Slight sinking is normal, but it shouldn’t completely disappear if the batter is not too runny.

Are these suitable for a crowd?
Yes — a 24-cup pan yields plenty, and you can easily double the recipe to feed a larger group. They’re perfect for parties because they’re finger-friendly and travel well.

Conclusion

Blintz Brownie Bites are a wonderfully simple way to elevate boxed brownie mix into something memorable and special. They’re quick to prepare, family-friendly, and pack a sophisticated flavor contrast that guests will love. Give them a try for your next gathering or cozy night in, and feel free to explore variations and pairings. For another take on this idea and additional inspiration, check out Blintz Brownie Bites | Just A Pinch Recipes. Enjoy baking and sharing these delightful bites with the people you love!