why make this recipe
Heart Shaped Brownies are a delightful treat that not only satisfy your chocolate cravings but also add a fun and romantic touch to any occasion. These brownies make a perfect dessert for celebrations like Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or even just a special dinner at home. The combination of rich chocolate, creamy cheesecake, and sweet raspberry sauce creates a layered dessert that looks and tastes amazing.
how to make Heart Shaped Brownies
Ingredients:
- 1 cup raspberries (fresh or thawed frozen)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend)
- 3/4 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder, sifted
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 + 2 tablespoons refined coconut oil or neutral oil
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
Directions:
- Simmer the raspberries, sugar, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla over medium heat for 5–8 minutes until the mixture thickens. Strain it to remove seeds and set it aside.
- In a bowl, beat the cream cheese with 1/3 cup sugar until smooth. Add the egg and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla, mixing until creamy.
- In another bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, combine the oil, 1 1/2 cups sugar, and the remaining 1 tablespoon of vanilla. Add the eggs one by one, mixing well.
- Combine both mixtures just until blended.
- Spread the brownie batter in a lined baking pan. Pour the cheesecake mixture on top, then spoon the raspberry sauce over it. Use a skewer to swirl the sauces together gently.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 30–35 minutes. Let the brownies cool completely, then chill for 2 hours. Cut them into heart shapes and serve.
how to serve Heart Shaped Brownies
Serve Heart Shaped Brownies as a sweet dessert after dinner or at a gathering. You can add a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side to make it extra special. For a beautiful presentation, you can also sprinkle powdered sugar on top before serving.
how to store Heart Shaped Brownies
Store any leftover Heart Shaped Brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They should stay fresh for up to 5 days. If you want to enjoy them later, you can freeze them. Just wrap each brownie tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.
tips to make Heart Shaped Brownies
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for better mixing.
- Don’t overmix the brownie batter; just combine until blended to keep them fudgy.
- When swirling the raspberry sauce, be gentle to maintain the marbled look.
- Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter for shaping the brownies after they have cooled.
variation
You can customize the topping by adding different fruits like strawberries or blueberries. You can also replace the raspberry sauce with chocolate ganache for an even richer taste.
FAQs
1. Can I use different fruit for the sauce?
Yes, you can use any type of berry or fruit sauce that you like. Just adjust the sugar depending on the fruit’s sweetness.
2. What if I don’t have Dutch-process cocoa powder?
You can substitute it with unsweetened cocoa powder, but the flavor and texture may vary slightly.
3. Can I make these brownies gluten-free?
Absolutely! Simply replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that you prefer.
Heart Shaped Brownies
Ingredients
Raspberry Sauce
- 1 cup raspberries (fresh or thawed frozen)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cheesecake Layer
- 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Brownie Batter
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend)
- 3/4 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder, sifted
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 + 2 tablespoons refined coconut oil or neutral oil
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
Instructions
Prepare the Raspberry Sauce
- Simmer the raspberries, sugar, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla over medium heat for 5–8 minutes until the mixture thickens. Strain it to remove seeds and set it aside.
Make the Cheesecake Layer
- In a bowl, beat the cream cheese with 1/3 cup sugar until smooth. Add the egg and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla, mixing until creamy.
Prepare the Brownie Batter
- In another bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, combine the oil, 1 1/2 cups sugar, and the remaining 1 tablespoon of vanilla. Add the eggs one by one, mixing well.
- Combine both mixtures just until blended.
Assemble and Bake
- Spread the brownie batter in a lined baking pan. Pour the cheesecake mixture on top, then spoon the raspberry sauce over it. Use a skewer to swirl the sauces together gently.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 30–35 minutes. Let the brownies cool completely, then chill for 2 hours.
- Cut them into heart shapes and serve.