Sweet and Salty ROLO Mousse Cookie Bombs

Indulge in a symphony of flavors with our irresistible Salted Caramel Mousse ROLO Cookie Cups! These delightful treats bring together the best of chewy chocolate chip cookies, gooey ROLO caramels, and a luscious salted caramel mousse, creating a dessert experience that is truly a match made in heaven. Whether you’re planning a festive gathering, a cozy family evening, or simply craving something extraordinary, these fancy little party treats are perfect any time of the year.

Imagine biting into a soft, chewy cookie cup, its edges perfectly golden, revealing a melted ROLO caramel center that oozes with rich, buttery goodness. Then, your taste buds are met with a swirl of light, airy salted caramel mousse, adding a sophisticated touch of sweet and salty perfection. It’s a dessert that captivates with every single bite, making it impossible to resist. These cookie cups are not just a dessert; they are a celebration in miniature form, guaranteed to bring smiles and satisfy even the most discerning sweet tooth.

Why Our Salted Caramel Mousse ROLO Cookie Cups Are a Must-Try

• Unforgettable Flavor Combination: These treats are a true masterpiece of decadence. The rich, chewy chocolate chip cookie cups, studded with mini chocolate chips, provide the perfect foundation. Inside each cup, a melted ROLO candy melts into a warm, gooey caramel surprise. To top it all off, a fluffy salted caramel cream mousse adds an elegant touch of creamy, sweet, and perfectly balanced salty notes. It’s a harmonious blend of textures and tastes that you won’t find anywhere else.
• Irresistibly Sweet and Salty: The magic of salted caramel lies in its captivating balance, and these cookie cups nail it perfectly. The sweetness of the chocolate cookie and caramel is expertly contrasted by a hint of sea salt in the mousse, creating an addictive flavor profile that will have everyone reaching for more. Each bite offers a delightful dance between sugary bliss and savory intrigue.
• Endless Customization Options: While they are magnificent as is, these cookie cups also invite creativity. Decorate them with a generous sprinkle of extra mini chocolate chips, colorful sprinkles for a festive touch, or an additional drizzle of caramel sauce for an extra layer of indulgence. A tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on top can elevate the experience even further, highlighting the “salted” in salted caramel.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a birthday bash, a holiday spread, or just a casual get-together, these mini desserts are ideal. Their individual portions make them easy to serve and enjoy, eliminating the need for plates and forks. They are charming, celebratory, and sure to be the star of any dessert table.
• Effortless Preparation with Shortcuts: We understand that life can be busy, which is why this recipe is designed to be flexible. If you’re short on time, feel free to use store-bought chocolate chip cookie dough. This simple shortcut allows you to whip up these gourmet treats with minimal effort, without compromising on taste. Just press the dough into a mini muffin pan, bake, and you’re halfway to dessert heaven!
• Impress Your Guests: These cookie cups look as impressive as they taste, making you look like a seasoned pastry chef with minimal fuss. Wow your friends and family with your dessert-making prowess and watch their faces light up with delight. It’s time to get baking and create some sweet memories!

For those who love delightful cookie creations, you might also enjoy these Chocolate Football Peanut Butter Cookies, our Easy Cherry Cheesecake Cookie Cups, and the ever-popular Awesome Peanut Butter Cookie Cups!

The Anatomy of Perfection: Ingredients for Salted Caramel Mousse ROLO Cookie Cups

Creating these divine cookie cups begins with selecting quality ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving the perfect balance of texture and flavor.

For the Irresistible Chocolate Chip Cookie Cups:

• Unsalted Butter (Room Temperature): Using unsalted butter allows you to control the total salt content, especially with the salted caramel mousse. Room temperature butter creams beautifully with sugar, creating a light and airy base for your cookies.
• Brown Sugar (Light or Dark): Brown sugar adds moisture, chewiness, and a subtle molasses flavor that complements the caramel notes.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with the classic cookie texture, contributing to those slightly crispy edges and soft centers.
• Egg: Acts as a binder, adding structure and richness to the cookie dough. A large egg typically works best for consistent results.
• Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla enhances all the other flavors, bringing warmth and depth to the cookies.
• All-Purpose Flour: The structural backbone of the cookie cup, providing body without being overly dense.
• Baking Soda: The leavening agent that helps the cookies rise slightly and achieve their soft, tender crumb.
• Coarse Salt: A small amount in the cookie dough balances the sweetness and brings out the chocolate flavor.
• Mini Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Mini chips ensure chocolate in every bite without overwhelming the delicate cookie cup structure. Semi-sweet offers a classic chocolate flavor that pairs perfectly with caramel.
• 24 ROLOs Candy: The star of the show! These chewy caramels enrobed in milk chocolate melt beautifully inside the warm cookie cups, creating a delightful surprise.

For the Dreamy Salted Caramel Mousse Filling:

• Heavy Whipping Cream (Cold): Essential for creating a light, fluffy mousse. Ensure it’s very cold for optimal whipping.
• Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix: Acts as a stabilizer for the mousse, giving it body and a subtle vanilla flavor that complements the caramel. Approximately 4 tablespoons are needed if using a larger box.
• Confectioners’ Sugar: Also known as powdered sugar, it sweetens the mousse and dissolves easily, ensuring a smooth texture.
• Salted Caramel Sauce: The key to the rich caramel flavor and the “salted” component. You can use a high-quality store-bought sauce or elevate your dessert by making our Best Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce for an extra special touch.

Optional Toppings for the Finishing Touch:

• Sprinkles, Mini Chocolate Chips, Drizzles of Caramel Sauce, Sea Salt: These additions allow for personalization and extra visual appeal. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt truly enhances the salted caramel experience.

Crafting Perfection: How to Make Salted Caramel Mousse ROLO Cookie Cups

Follow these simple steps to create these show-stopping dessert cups. Precision and a little love will ensure perfect results every time.

Part 1: The Chocolate Chip Cookie Cups

1. Prepare Your Oven and Pan: Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). This ensures even baking from the moment your cookies enter the oven. Thoroughly grease a mini muffin pan. This step is crucial for preventing sticking and ensuring your cookie cups come out easily, especially after the ROLOs have melted.
2. Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the room temperature unsalted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Using an electric mixer, beat these ingredients on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and creamy. This creaming process incorporates air, which contributes to the cookies’ tender texture. Next, beat in the egg until fully incorporated, followed by the vanilla extract, mixing until just combined.
3. Add Dry Ingredients and Chocolate Chips: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and coarse salt. Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies. Finally, fold in the mini chocolate chips until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
4. Bake the Cookie Cups: Using a small spoon or a mini cookie scoop, fill each cup of the greased mini muffin pan approximately halfway full with the cookie dough. Bake for about 11-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown, but the centers still look slightly soft and puffed. It’s important not to overbake; soft centers are key for a chewy cookie cup.
5. Add the ROLOs and Cool: Once baked, remove the pan from the oven. Let the cookie cups cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. While still warm, gently press one ROLO candy, upside down, into the center of each cookie cup. The residual heat from the cookie will soften and melt the ROLO, creating that irresistible gooey caramel core. After adding the ROLOs, carefully transfer the cookie cups to a wire rack to cool completely. This allows them to firm up and prevents them from becoming soggy.

Part 2: The Velvety Salted Caramel Mousse Filling

While your cookie cups are cooling, prepare the luxurious salted caramel mousse.

1. Whip the Mousse Ingredients: In a large, chilled mixing bowl (a cold bowl helps the cream whip better), combine the very cold heavy whipping cream, your chosen salted caramel sauce, confectioners’ sugar, and instant vanilla pudding mix. Using an electric mixer, beat these ingredients on medium-high speed for 2-3 minutes, or until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and holds soft peaks. Be careful not to overbeat, as it can turn granular.
2. Fill and Decorate: Once your cookie cups are completely cooled, transfer the salted caramel mousse filling to a piping bag fitted with your favorite decorative tip (or simply use a spoon). Pipe a generous swirl of mousse on top of each cooled cookie cup. Finish by adding your favorite toppings—a sprinkle of mini chocolate chips, colorful sprinkles, a final drizzle of caramel sauce, or a delicate pinch of sea salt for an enhanced flavor kick.

Smart Shortcuts to Save Time (But Not Flavor!)

Even the busiest bakers deserve delicious homemade treats. Here are some brilliant shortcuts for these salted caramel mousse ROLO cookie cups:

• Store-Bought Cookie Dough: Don’t have time to make cookie dough from scratch? No problem! Grab a roll of your favorite store-bought chocolate chip cookie dough. Simply press it into your mini muffin pan cups and bake as directed, then proceed with adding the ROLOs and mousse. This is a game-changer for quick party prep!
• Pre-Made Whipped Topping: If fresh whipping cream isn’t available or you’re looking for an even quicker solution for the mousse, substitute 2 cups of store-bought whipped cream (like Cool Whip) for the heavy whipping cream. You might need to adjust the amount of pudding mix and confectioners’ sugar to taste, as pre-made toppings often have their own sweetness and stabilizers.

Beyond the Recipe: Fun Cookie Cup Options and Variations!

These salted caramel ROLO cookie cups are incredibly versatile, offering endless possibilities for customization and creative twists. If you’re a huge fan of cookie cups, you’ll love exploring these options:

• Flavor Exploration for Mousse: While salted caramel is divine, don’t limit yourself! You can easily change the mousse cream flavor by incorporating a few tablespoons of chocolate ice cream topping for a chocolate mousse, or a few tablespoons of creamy peanut butter for a peanut butter mousse. Imagine a peanut butter mousse on top of a chocolate cookie with a ROLO inside – pure bliss!
• Cookie Dough Lover’s Dream: Are you a true cookie dough enthusiast? How about cookie dough upon cookie dough? Instead of the mousse, use small scoops of our edible chocolate chip cookie dough recipe as the filling. This creates a decadent, unbaked cookie dough center that is incredibly yummy and safe to eat!
• Enjoy Them “Naked”: Sometimes simplicity is key. These chocolate chip cookie cups with the melted ROLO centers are absolutely delicious on their own, without any frosting or mousse. They make a fantastic, gooey treat straight from the oven – perfect for a quick snack or a less-sweet option.
• Elevate with Extra Drizzle: For an even more luxurious experience, take it up one more notch! After the cookie cups have cooled and the ROLO is perfectly melted, lightly drizzle some extra salted caramel sauce on top of each cookie. Finish with a delicate sprinkle of flaky sea salt. Oh YES, I did! This simple addition enhances both the visual appeal and the flavor profile. If you’re making your own caramel, here’s a recipe for homemade salted caramel.

Storing Your Delicious Cookie Cups

To keep your Salted Caramel Mousse ROLO Cookie Cups fresh and delightful, proper storage is key. If you have any left (which is a big “if”!), here’s how to store them:

• Room Temperature: If serving within a few hours and your kitchen isn’t overly warm, the cookie cups can be left at room temperature. However, due to the dairy in the mousse, refrigeration is generally recommended.
• Refrigeration: For longer storage, place the cookie cups in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. The mousse will firm up slightly in the fridge, but the flavors will remain fantastic.
• Freezing: The cookie cups (without the mousse) can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Once cooled, place them in a single layer in an airtight container or freezer bag. Thaw at room temperature and then add the fresh mousse just before serving. You can also freeze the completed cookie cups with mousse for a quicker grab-and-go option, though the mousse texture may change slightly upon thawing.

More Caramel Delights to Explore!

If you’re as obsessed with caramel as we are, you’ll love these other fantastic recipes. Dive into more sweet and gooey goodness:

• Chocolate Rolo S’mores Ice Cream
• Rolo Reese’s Pretzel Fudge
• Salted Caramel Chip Apple Blondies
• Salted Caramel White Chocolate Cookies

I truly love how versatile these chocolate chip cookie cups are. With their rich flavors, simple preparation, and endless customization possibilities, they’re always a hit. So, are you ready to kick off this party? What are we waiting for? Let’s get baking!

We hope you and your loved ones enjoy these incredible Salted Caramel Mousse ROLO Cookie Cups for your next party affair, holiday tray of goodies, or any celebratory occasion. Oh… and don’t forget birthdays. EVER! These make every moment a little sweeter.

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• Marvelous Chocolate Chip Party Cookie Cake
• Funfetti Party Cookie Bars
• GF Healthy Birthday Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars – Vegan Options
• Birthday Confetti Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars
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• Double Stuff Oreo Brownie Chocolate Mousse Trifle
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• 40 Easy Caramel Desserts Recipe Roundup