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
Scale
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
