Description
Delight in these charming Strawberry Frosted Heart Shaped Brownies, a perfect combination of rich chocolate and fresh strawberry flavors. Baked to moist perfection, and topped with a luscious strawberry frosting, these brownies make an ideal treat for Valentine’s Day or any special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Brownie Batter
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
Strawberry Frosting
- 1/2 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons strawberry jam
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons milk
- Red or pink food coloring (optional)
Other
- Heart-shaped cookie cutter
Instructions
- Prepare the oven and pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Make the brownie batter: In a mixing bowl, combine the melted butter and granulated sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract. Add the cocoa powder, all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder, then gently stir until just combined. Avoid overmixing for tender brownies.
- Bake the brownies: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Bake for 20–25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Once baked, let the brownies cool completely in the pan.
- Prepare the strawberry frosting: While the brownies cool, combine the finely chopped strawberries and strawberry jam in a small saucepan over low heat. Cook for about 5 minutes until the strawberries become soft and jam-like, then strain to remove excess liquid. Allow this strawberry mixture to cool.
- Mix the frosting: In a bowl, whisk the powdered sugar with 1 tablespoon of milk, adding more milk if needed to achieve a spreadable consistency. Incorporate the cooled strawberry mixture and add a drop of red or pink food coloring if desired for a vibrant look.
- Cut and frost the brownies: Once the brownies are fully cooled, use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out heart shapes. Spread a layer of the strawberry frosting over each heart-shaped brownie evenly.
- Set and serve: Allow the frosting to set at room temperature or chill briefly before serving to enjoy the best texture and flavor from your strawberry frosted heart-shaped brownies.
Notes
- Chilling the brownies before cutting makes using the cookie cutter easier and cleaner.
- Save leftover brownie edges for crumbles, parfaits, or brownie bites.
- For an intensified strawberry flavor, add a drop of strawberry extract to the frosting mixture.
