These heart-shaped brownies are perfect for showing some love! They are rich, chocolatey, and super soft, making every bite a treat. Plus, they look adorable!
Whether it’s for Valentine’s Day or just because, these brownies will steal hearts. I love cutting them out with a cookie cutter—it’s fun and adds a sweet touch!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Unsalted Butter: Using unsalted butter gives you control over the saltiness. If you’re out of butter, coconut oil can be a great substitute. It adds a hint of coconut flavor, which is delicious!
Sugar: Regular granulated sugar is used here. For a simpler option, you could use brown sugar for a chewier brownie. It’s just more of a caramel flavor and richness.
Cocoa Powder: Unsweetened cocoa powder is essential for that deep chocolate flavor. If you have Dutch-processed cocoa, it’s a suitable substitute and can make the brownies even richer.
Flour: All-purpose flour works best, but if you’re gluten-free, you can use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. It won’t affect the texture much!
Eggs: For a vegan alternative, try using flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 2.5 tablespoons water = 1 egg). It helps bind the brownies together!
How Can I Make Sure My Brownies are Fudgy?
The secret to fudgy brownies is not over-baking them! A toothpick should come out with a few moist crumbs still attached for the best texture. Here’s how to achieve that perfect fudgy brownie:
- After mixing your ingredients, pour them into the prepared pan without overmixing.
- Keep an eye on the baking time. Check them at 20 minutes, as oven temperatures can vary.
- When you do the toothpick test, it’s better to underbake than overbake. It’s okay if there are a few moist crumbs!
Heart Shape Brownies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup (40g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup (65g) all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- Powdered sugar for dusting
- Small heart-shaped candies or sprinkles for decoration (optional)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 15 minutes to prepare and approximately 20-25 minutes to bake. Don’t forget to let the brownies cool completely before cutting; this helps them set better! Overall, you’ll need about 40-45 minutes to have a delicious batch of heart-shaped brownies ready to enjoy.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
First, you need to preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your brownies bake evenly. While the oven is heating up, prepare your baking pan by lightly greasing an 8×8 inch pan and lining it with parchment paper. This makes it easy to lift the brownies out later!
2. Melt the Butter:
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the unsalted butter until it’s smooth. Be careful not to overheat it! Once it’s melted, let it cool for a minute or two to prevent cooking the eggs when you mix them in.
3. Mix the Wet Ingredients:
To the melted butter, add in the granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Stir everything together until it’s completely combined and looks nice and smooth.
4. Combine the Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, sift together the cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder. This step is important as it helps to remove any lumps and ensures a light and fluffy texture for your brownies.
5. Mix Dry into Wet:
Now it’s time to fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Do this gradually and gently until just combined—being careful not to overmix! This keeps your brownies nice and fudgy.
6. Bake the Brownies:
Pour the brownie batter into your prepared baking pan and spread it out evenly. Place it in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. Keep an eye on it; you want a toothpick inserted in the center to come out with a few moist crumbs, indicating they are done.
7. Cool and Cut:
Once baked, allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan. This may take a little time, but it’s worth it! Once they are cool, use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out fun little hearts.
8. Decorate Your Brownies:
To make your heart-shaped brownies extra special, place small heart-shaped candies or sprinkles on top of each one. They add a lovely finishing touch!
9. Dust with Powdered Sugar:
For a sweet finish, lightly dust the brownies with powdered sugar before serving. This makes them look even more delightful!
10. Enjoy Your Creation!
Finally, it’s time to serve your adorable heart-shaped brownies and enjoy a delicious treat! They’re perfect for sharing or enjoying by yourself. Happy baking!
Can I Use Other Types of Flour?
Yes, you can use a gluten-free flour blend as a substitute for all-purpose flour. Just make sure to choose a blend that is designed for baking to achieve a similar texture!
What If I Don’t Have Unsweetened Cocoa Powder?
If you don’t have unsweetened cocoa powder, you can use Dutch-processed cocoa powder instead. It will give a richer flavor but may affect the texture slightly. Just be sure to adjust any leavening agents accordingly if the recipe relies on acidity!
Can I Make These Brownies Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! You can bake these brownies a day or two in advance. Just store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay delicious and fudgy!
How to Store Leftover Brownies?
Store any leftover brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep them fresh longer, you can also freeze them. Just wrap each brownie individually in plastic wrap, and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll last up to 3 months in the freezer!
