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Decadent Valentine’s Strawberry Crème Brownie Hearts

strawberry crème brownie hearts - featured image
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Rich, fudgy chocolate brownies with a creamy strawberry crème swirl, perfect for Valentine’s Day or any romantic occasion. Easy to make with simple ingredients and a beautiful heart shape.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 1/4 cups (250g) granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup (100g) packed brown sugar
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup (75g) unsweetened cocoa powder (Dutch-processed recommended)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (about 150g) fresh strawberries, diced
  • 4 oz (115g) cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup (60g) powdered sugar
  • 1–2 tablespoons (15-30ml) heavy cream
  • Optional: a few drops of strawberry extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth and glossy, about 2 minutes.
  3. Add eggs one at a time, whisking after each addition, then stir in vanilla extract until batter thickens and looks shiny.
  4. Sift together flour, cocoa powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet mixture using a spatula until just combined; do not overmix.
  5. Prepare the strawberry crème filling by beating softened cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar and mix until creamy. Fold in diced strawberries and heavy cream to loosen the mixture. Add strawberry extract if desired.
  6. Pour half the brownie batter into the prepared pan and smooth into an even layer.
  7. Drop spoonfuls of the strawberry crème filling evenly over the batter.
  8. Carefully spoon the remaining brownie batter over the filling. Use a butter knife to gently swirl the layers together for a marbled effect.
  9. Bake for 30-35 minutes, checking at 30 minutes with a toothpick; it should come out with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter.
  10. Cool brownies completely in the pan, then lift out using parchment overhang. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to firm up the strawberry crème.
  11. Cut brownies into squares, then use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out brownie hearts. Press gently to release each heart cleanly.
  12. Serve chilled or at room temperature, optionally dusted with powdered sugar or drizzled with melted chocolate.

Notes

Use room temperature eggs and cream cheese for smooth batter and filling. Do not overmix the batter to keep brownies fudgy. Chill brownies before cutting to prevent the strawberry crème from oozing. If crème is too runny, add more powdered sugar. You can substitute almond flour for gluten-free or vegan alternatives for dairy-free versions.

Nutrition

Keywords: Valentine's Day, brownies, strawberry crème, chocolate dessert, heart-shaped, easy dessert, romantic dessert

Find it online: https://tessierecipes.com/decadent-valentines-strawberry-cr-e-me-brownie-hearts-recipe-easy-and-perfect-for-romance/