Confession: On more than one occasion in the past, I’ve baked a batch of brownies simply so that I could enjoy a few spoonfuls of brownie batter. Even though I know that brownie batter is on the list of foods you shouldn’t eat raw because of the uncooked egg and flour, I’ve risked it anyways. Thankfully, I’ve since come to learn that a proper brownie batter dip lets me enjoy that beloved, unbaked brownie flavor without any risk of an upset stomach.
Brownie batter dip is a quick dessert dip that doesn’t use boxed brownie mix, eggs or flour. Our recipe is easy to make, decadent and most importantly, safe to eat. We call for baking cocoa, brown sugar, vanilla extract and more to imitate that brownie-mix flavor without having to open up a box. This way, we don’t have to worry about heat-treating a brownie mix before consumption, since you can’t eat raw flour.
Get ready to lick the bowl!
Ingredients
- Cocoa: If you don’t have some at home already, the best cocoa powder that’s easy to find at the grocery store is Hershey’s. It’s got the right balance of natural sweetness and bitter cocoa flavor.
- Cream cheese: Use full-fat cream cheese so your brownie batter dip doesn’t fall short on flavor or mouthfeel. Make sure the block is at room temperature before mixing so that there are no lumps when you whip it up. If you’ve got some leftover cream cheese after making this brownie batter dip, keep these other cream cheese recipes in mind.
- Confectioners’ sugar: Confectioners’ sugar (also known as “powdered sugar”) adds most of the sweetness to the brownie batter dip.
- Vanilla extract: A little vanilla goes a long way, so use a good one. These are the best vanilla extract brands to look for at the store.
Directions
Step 1: Beat the cream cheese and butter
In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth.
Step 2: Add the remaining ingredients
Beat in the confectioners’ sugar, cocoa, milk, brown sugar and vanilla until smooth.
Step 3: Sprinkle with candies, and serve
If desired, sprinkle the brownie batter dip with M&M’s minis and dark chocolate chips. Serve with sweet and salty dippers of your choice.
Brownie Batter Dip Variations
- Play with the mix-ins: Instead of M&M’s minis, try your favorite variety of baking chips, such as white chocolate chips or peanut butter chips. Candies such as Heath Bits, Reese’s Pieces and chopped Andes Chocolate Mints would add more sweet flavors.
- Use a different extract: Try using peppermint extract instead of vanilla to create a peppermint-chocolate brownie batter dip. Use only half the amount called for, since peppermint extract has a stronger flavor than vanilla extract.
- Add peanut butter: Lovers of peanut butter, beat some peanut butter into the cream cheese mixture for a newfound chocolate-peanut butter dessert.
How to Store Brownie Batter Dip
Keep brownie batter dip in an airtight container in the fridge, where it will last for four to five days.
Can you freeze brownie batter dip?
While you technically can freeze cream cheese, we wouldn’t recommend it for a recipe like brownie batter dip. Frozen cream cheese can become gritty and grainy once it’s thawed, and for a recipe like this one where part of the appeal is the smooth, creamy texture, freezing isn’t worth the risk (especially when the recipe takes just minutes to assemble in the first place).
Can you make brownie batter dip ahead of time?
Yes, brownie batter dip keeps well in the fridge, so you can make it a day ahead of time to save yourself a few minutes before your guests arrive. If you want to store it directly in the serving bowl, cover it with plastic wrap. Otherwise, keep it in an airtight container, and transfer to a pretty serving bowl when the time comes.
Brownie Batter Dip Tips
Why is the brownie batter dip lumpy?
Letting both the cream cheese and the butter soften and come to room temperature before beating is key to making sure that your brownie batter dip is smooth. Beyond that, sifting the dry ingredients before adding them to the cream cheese mixture is a second step you can take to ensure a creamy consistency.
What do you serve with brownie batter dip?
Brownie batter dip pairs well with all sorts of dippers. If you want to go the “healthy” route, try apple slices or whole strawberries. Otherwise, graham crackers, pretzel crisps, animal crackers, Nilla wafers, cinnamon-sugar pita chips, wafer cookies and even Nutter Butters would be deliciously indulgent picks.
Brownie batter dip would also be a great add to a chocolate charcuterie board or a Valentine’s Day cheese board.
