Description
These rich and gooey chocolate strawberry brownies start with a fudgy brownie base, topped with a creamy strawberry buttercream and decadent chocolate ganache. The perfect treat for Valentine’s Day or any occasion, these brownies are a sweet and indulgent dessert.
Ingredients
Brownies:
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1/2 cup unsalted butter
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8 oz semi-sweet chocolate, chopped (or semi-sweet chocolate chips)
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1 cup granulated sugar
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3 eggs
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2 tsp vanilla extract
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3/4 tsp espresso powder
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1 cup all-purpose flour
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1/2 tsp salt
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3/4 tsp baking powder
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4 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
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1 Tbsp canola oil
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1 cup milk chocolate chips
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1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Strawberry Buttercream:
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1 cup unsalted butter, softened
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3-4 cups powdered sugar
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1 1/4 cups freeze-dried strawberries, crushed
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3-4 Tbsp heavy whipping cream (or substitute with whole milk or half & half)
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Salt, to taste
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Pink food coloring
Ganache:
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1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
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1/2 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×9 (or 8×8) square baking pan with parchment paper or grease with baking spray.
- Prepare Brownies: Melt butter and semi-sweet chocolate in a double boiler or microwave, stirring in 30-second intervals until smooth. Let cool for 8-10 minutes. Stir in granulated sugar and eggs until well combined. Add vanilla extract and espresso powder, and mix until combined. Add flour, salt, baking powder, and cocoa powder. Stir until just combined. Add canola oil and 1 cup of milk chocolate chips, then mix to combine. Spread batter into prepared pan, sprinkle with 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, and press them into the batter. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean with a few fudgy crumbs. Let cool completely.
- Make Strawberry Buttercream: Beat softened butter in a bowl for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar (3 cups), mixing well. Add heavy whipping cream (3 Tbsp), then mix in crushed freeze-dried strawberries. If frosting is too thin, add more powdered sugar; if too thick, add more cream. Add salt to taste and pink food coloring if desired. Spread over cooled brownies.
- Prepare Ganache: Heat heavy cream in a small saucepan until it begins to steam. Pour over semi-sweet chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl and stir until smooth. Drizzle ganache over frosted brownies, then allow to set.
- Serve: Cut brownies into squares and enjoy!
Notes
- For the best texture, use freeze-dried strawberries rather than fresh strawberries.
- If you don’t have freeze-dried strawberries, you can substitute with strawberry jam or fresh strawberry puree, but it may change the consistency of the frosting.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brownie
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 32 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg