Strawberry Frosted Heart Shaped Brownies Recipe
If you’re searching for a dessert that’s as adorable as it is irresistible, look no further than Strawberry Frosted Heart Shaped Brownies. These delightful treats combine rich, fudgy chocolate brownies with a luscious strawberry frosting, all shaped into charming hearts for that extra-special touch. Whether you’re baking for Valentine’s Day, a birthday, or just because, these brownies are guaranteed to win hearts (and taste buds) every single time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll be amazed at how a handful of pantry staples come together to create such a show-stopping treat. Each ingredient in these Strawberry Frosted Heart Shaped Brownies plays an important role in crafting the perfect bite—rich, chocolatey, and crowned with a burst of berry flavor.
- Unsalted butter (1/2 cup, melted): Provides a rich, moist base for the brownies and makes mixing easy.
- Granulated sugar (1 cup): Sweetens the batter and gives the brownies just the right amount of chewiness.
- Large eggs (2): Bind everything together and add a lovely fudgy texture.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances both the chocolate and strawberry notes beautifully.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder (1/3 cup): The key to deep, chocolatey brownies without making them overly sweet.
- All-purpose flour (1/2 cup): Just enough to hold the brownies together without turning them cakey.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Balances all the sweet flavors and amps up the chocolate.
- Baking powder (1/4 teaspoon): Adds a hint of lift for a tender crumb.
- Unsalted butter, softened (1/4 cup): The creamy base for the strawberry frosting.
- Powdered sugar (1 1/2 cups): Makes the frosting smooth and sweet, perfect for spreading.
- Freeze-dried strawberries, crushed into powder (2 tablespoons): Infuses the frosting with a bold, all-natural strawberry flavor and a lovely pink hue.
- Milk (1–2 tablespoons): Helps achieve the perfect frosting consistency—start with one and add more if needed.
- Vanilla extract (1/2 teaspoon): Rounds out the strawberry flavor and adds depth.
- Pinch of salt: Just a touch in the frosting keeps it from being overly sweet.
- Optional garnish: heart-shaped sprinkles or additional crushed freeze-dried strawberries: Adds a playful and festive finish to your brownies.
How to Make Strawberry Frosted Heart Shaped Brownies
Step 1: Prepare the Pan and Preheat the Oven
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Take an 8×8-inch baking pan and either grease it thoroughly or line it with parchment paper, making sure there’s some overhang for easy removal. This step ensures your brownies will come out cleanly and makes the heart-cutting process a breeze.
Step 2: Whisk Together the Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk the melted butter with granulated sugar until the mixture looks pale and glossy. Add in your eggs and vanilla extract, then whisk again until everything is silky smooth. This creates the beautiful glossy foundation for your Strawberry Frosted Heart Shaped Brownies.
Step 3: Add the Dry Ingredients
Now, sprinkle in the cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder. Stir until just combined—don’t overmix, as you want to keep the brownies tender and fudgy. Your batter should be thick, shiny, and deeply chocolatey at this stage.
Step 4: Bake the Brownies
Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread it out evenly. Pop the pan into the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached. Try not to overbake; fudgy brownies are the goal!
Step 5: Cool and Cut into Hearts
Let the brownies cool completely in the pan—this makes them easier to cut and minimizes crumbling. Once cool, gently lift them out using the parchment paper. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to press out your brownie hearts. For the cleanest shapes, you can chill the brownies in the fridge for about 30 minutes before cutting.
Step 6: Make the Strawberry Frosting
In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy and light. Gradually add the powdered sugar, crushed freeze-dried strawberries, vanilla, salt, and one tablespoon of milk. Beat until the frosting is fluffy and pink, adding an extra splash of milk if it’s too thick. The freeze-dried strawberries give the frosting its vivid color and real-fruit flavor, making these Strawberry Frosted Heart Shaped Brownies truly special.
Step 7: Frost and Decorate
Spread the strawberry frosting generously over each brownie heart. Top with heart-shaped sprinkles or a dusting of extra crushed freeze-dried strawberries for a festive finish. Now step back and admire your Strawberry Frosted Heart Shaped Brownies in all their glory!
How to Serve Strawberry Frosted Heart Shaped Brownies
Garnishes
For an eye-catching presentation, sprinkle your brownies with extra freeze-dried strawberry powder or colorful heart-shaped sprinkles. A drizzle of melted chocolate or a few fresh strawberry slices on the side can elevate the look even further, making them as beautiful as they are delicious.
Side Dishes
Pair your Strawberry Frosted Heart Shaped Brownies with a cold glass of milk, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a dollop of freshly whipped cream. For a more sophisticated dessert plate, try serving them with a handful of fresh berries or a mug of hot coffee or tea.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack your heart-shaped brownies on a tiered cake stand for a party centerpiece, or nestle them in cupcake liners for easy gifting. Slip a few into a pretty box with tissue paper for a sweet homemade present, or arrange them on a platter with edible flowers for an extra-special touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Strawberry Frosted Heart Shaped Brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. The frosting stays soft and the brownies remain moist, making them just as tempting on day three as they are fresh from the oven.
Freezing
If you want to make these in advance, freeze the unfrosted brownie hearts in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep for up to three months. When ready to serve, thaw at room temperature, then frost and decorate as desired.
Reheating
While these brownies are scrumptious at room temperature, you can gently warm unfrosted brownies in the microwave for 10–15 seconds to bring back that fresh-baked aroma. If they’re already frosted, let them sit at room temperature to soften—the frosting is best enjoyed creamy and cool.
FAQs
Can I use fresh strawberries in the frosting instead of freeze-dried?
Freeze-dried strawberries work best because they add intense flavor and a gorgeous pink color without making the frosting runny. Fresh strawberries have too much moisture, which can make the frosting too soft to hold up on the brownies.
What can I do with the brownie scraps?
Don’t toss those delicious brownie scraps! Crumble them over ice cream, layer them in a parfait with whipped cream and berries, or roll them into little truffles with extra frosting. They’re the baker’s treat!
How do I get clean heart shapes when cutting?
Chill your brownies in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before cutting. This firms them up and makes it much easier to get sharp, clean heart shapes with your cookie cutter.
Can I double the recipe for a larger batch?
Absolutely! Just double all the ingredients and use a 9×13-inch pan. Baking time may need to be adjusted slightly, so keep an eye on the brownies and test for doneness with a toothpick.
Are these brownies suitable for kids to help make?
Yes! Kids will love helping cut out the heart shapes and decorating the brownies with frosting and sprinkles. Just be sure an adult handles the baking and any sharp tools.
Final Thoughts
These Strawberry Frosted Heart Shaped Brownies are the kind of treat that brings joy to any occasion, big or small. Whether you’re baking them for someone special or just to treat yourself, I promise they’ll bring a smile to your face and a burst of delicious, chocolatey, strawberry goodness to your day. Give them a try—you’ll fall in love at first bite!
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Strawberry Frosted Heart Shaped Brownies Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8–10 heart-shaped brownies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these charming Strawberry Frosted Heart Shaped Brownies, perfect for Valentine’s Day or any festive occasion. Rich, fudgy brownies are topped with a sweet and tangy strawberry frosting made from freeze-dried strawberries, creating a beautiful and flavorful treat that’s both irresistible and fun to make.
Ingredients
Brownies
- 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
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons freeze-dried strawberries, crushed into powder
- 1–2 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Optional Garnish
- Heart-shaped sprinkles or additional crushed freeze-dried strawberries
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix brownie batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and granulated sugar until smooth and combined. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing well to incorporate.
- Add dry ingredients: Sift in the cocoa powder, all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder. Stir gently until the batter is fully combined and smooth, being careful not to overmix.
- Bake brownies: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan and spread it out smoothly. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached.
- Cool and cut shapes: Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan. For cleaner heart shapes, chill the brownies in the fridge before cutting. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out heart-shaped brownies.
- Prepare frosting: In a bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, crushed freeze-dried strawberries, vanilla extract, salt, and 1 tablespoon of milk. Beat until fluffy, adding more milk if needed to achieve your desired consistency.
- Frost brownies: Spread the strawberry frosting evenly over each heart-shaped brownie. Garnish with heart-shaped sprinkles or additional crushed freeze-dried strawberries if desired.
- Serve and store: Serve immediately or store the frosted brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Notes
- Chill the brownies before cutting to achieve cleaner, more precise heart shapes.
- You can prepare the strawberry frosting up to one day in advance; store it in the fridge and let it soften slightly before spreading.
- Store finished brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 heart brownie
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
