Heart Shaped Brownies are the perfect way to add a touch of love and deliciousness to any occasion, from Valentine’s Day to birthdays. This easy recipe delivers rich, fudgy brownies in an adorable shape, making them a guaranteed hit for bakers of all skill levels.
Key Ingredients for Heart Shaped Brownies
- 1 cup (2 sticks or 226g) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (45g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup (85g) semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional, for extra chocolatey goodness)
- Heart-shaped cookie cutter (approximately 3-4 inches)
- Powdered sugar or sprinkles for dusting (optional)
How to Make Heart Shaped Brownies
These heart shaped brownies are a delightful and simple treat that truly shines. The preparation time is only about 20 minutes, with an additional 30-35 minutes for baking, making them a perfect last-minute indulgence or a sweet project for a cozy afternoon. You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to create these intensely chocolatey, wonderfully fudgy, and irresistibly cute brownies.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy lifting. This ensures your brownies release beautifully.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and granulated sugar until well combined and smooth.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough brownies.
- Add Chocolate Chips (Optional): If you’re using chocolate chips, gently fold them into the brownie batter.
- Spread the Batter: Pour the brownie batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly. Ensure the batter reaches all corners of the pan for consistent baking.
- Bake the Brownies: Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs attached (not wet batter). Avoid overbaking to achieve that perfect fudgy texture.
- Cool Completely: Let the brownies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This is a crucial step for easily cutting and shaping them. Rushing this step can result in broken or messy edges.
- Cut into Shapes: Once fully cooled, lift the brownies out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Place the brownie slab on a clean cutting board. Using your heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut out as many heart-shaped brownies as possible. You can re-roll scraps gently to cut more shapes if desired.
- Add Finishing Touches (Optional): Dust your heart shaped brownies with powdered sugar for a delicate finish, or sprinkle them with colorful sprinkles for a festive look.
Why You’ll Love This Heart Shaped Brownies
You’ll absolutely adore these heart shaped brownies for their incredibly rich, fudgy texture that melts in your mouth with every bite. They offer a delightful homemade alternative to store-bought treats, saving you money while delivering superior flavor and quality. The simple act of cutting them into charming hearts adds an extra layer of joy, making them perfect for any celebration or a simple act of love.
Unlike overly sweet, cakey brownies, these are dense and intensely chocolatey, reminiscent of a gourmet bakery’s finest creations. They’re incredibly easy to make, perfect for beginners or busy individuals looking for a quick yet impressive dessert. Grab your favorite berries or a dollop of whipped cream to elevate them even further, and prepare for rave reviews.
Storing and Reheating Tips
Properly storing your heart shaped brownies will ensure they remain delicious for days.
- Refrigeration: Store cooled, cut brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerating them in an airtight container can extend their freshness for up to a week. The refrigeration will firm them up slightly.
- Freezing: To freeze, place cooled brownies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. They can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.
- Reheating: To reheat refrigerated or frozen brownies, you can gently warm them in a microwave for 10-20 seconds, or warm them in a low oven (around 250°F / 120°C) for a few minutes until just warmed through. Be careful not to overheat, as this can dry them out. Frozen brownies can often be enjoyed straight from the freezer if you prefer a firmer, chilled treat.
Final Thoughts
These heart shaped brownies are a simple yet magical way to spread sweetness and show you care. Give them a try this week for a delightful homemade treat that’s sure to impress!
Heart Shaped Brownies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy lifting.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and granulated sugar until well combined and smooth.1 cup unsalted butter, 2 cups granulated sugar
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.4 large eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough brownies.1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt
- If you’re using chocolate chips, gently fold them into the brownie batter.1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Pour the brownie batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly. Ensure the batter reaches all corners of the pan for consistent baking.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs attached (not wet batter). Avoid overbaking to achieve that perfect fudgy texture.
- Let the brownies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This is a crucial step for easily cutting and shaping them. Rushing this step can result in broken or messy edges.
- Once fully cooled, lift the brownies out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Place the brownie slab on a clean cutting board. Using your heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut out as many heart-shaped brownies as possible. You can re-roll scraps gently to cut more shapes if desired.
- Dust your heart shaped brownies with powdered sugar for a delicate finish, or sprinkle them with colorful sprinkles for a festive look.Powdered sugar or sprinkles