Step 1: Prepare the Brownie Bites Batter

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a mini muffin tin with non-stick spray or line it with paper liners.
• In a large mixing bowl, melt 1/2 cup of butter in the microwave or on the stovetop. Let it cool slightly.
• To the melted butter, add 1 cup of granulated sugar and whisk until smooth.
• Add 2 large eggs and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the butter and sugar mixture. Whisk everything together until it’s fully combined and the mixture looks smooth and glossy.
• Now, sift 1/3 cup of flour and 1/3 cup of cocoa powder into the bowl. Add 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon baking powder. Stir until everything is just combined—don’t overmix!
• The batter should be thick and glossy. If you’d like to mix in any extras like chocolate chips or nuts, now’s the time to do so!

Step 2: Bake the Brownie Bites

• Spoon the batter into the prepared mini muffin tin. You’ll want to fill each cup about 3/4 of the way full.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs. Be careful not to overbake them—you want these to stay fudgy!
• Once baked, allow the brownie bites to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 3: Make the Whipped Chocolate Ganache

• While the brownie bites are cooling, make the whipped ganache. Chop 6 oz of semi-sweet chocolate into small pieces and place it in a heatproof bowl.
• In a small saucepan, heat 3/4 cup heavy cream over medium heat until it’s just about to simmer (don’t let it boil). Pour the hot cream over the chopped chocolate and let it sit for about 1 minute to melt the chocolate.
• After 1 minute, stir the cream and chocolate together until smooth. Add 2 tablespoons of butter and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, and stir until everything is combined and the ganache is silky.
• Let the ganache cool at room temperature for about 15 minutes before placing it in the fridge to chill for about 20 minutes. This will help it firm up enough to whip.

Step 4: Whip the Ganache

• Once the ganache is chilled, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to whip it on high speed for about 3-4 minutes until it becomes light and fluffy.
• The whipped ganache should form soft peaks, making it easy to spread or pipe onto the brownie bites.

Step 5: Assemble the Brownie Bites

• Once the brownie bites are completely cool, use a spoon or a piping bag to top each brownie bite with a generous dollop of whipped ganache.
• You can add a sprinkle of shaved chocolate, a few sprinkles, or even a drizzle of caramel on top for a little extra flair if you’d like!