When a craving hits for something indulgent and sweet, there’s nothing quite like a batch of freshly baked brownies. Picture this: the rich aroma of chocolate wafting through the kitchen, beckoning loved ones to gather ‘round. For Valentine’s Day, I wanted to create a dessert that not only captures the spirit of the holiday but also delivers a delightful surprise—enter my Heart Shaped Brownies with Raspberry-Lemon Buttercream! These fudgy squares are elevated to new heights with a dollop of vibrant, fruity frosting that brings a zesty twist to the classic chocolate flavor.
Simply slicing these brownies into heart shapes makes them ideal for sharing, whether you’re celebrating love, friendship, or simply treating yourself. Best of all, they are a breeze to make, allowing you to channel your inner pastry chef without any stress. So, let’s get started and whip up a sweet treat that’s sure to impress!
Why Love Heart Shaped Brownies?
Deliciously unique: These heart-shaped brownies bring a charming twist to a classic dessert, making them perfect for sharing.
Rich and fudgy: The deep chocolate flavor paired with zesty raspberry-lemon buttercream will delight your taste buds.
Easy to make: A straightforward recipe that doesn’t require advanced baking skills—just pure joy!
Versatile treat: Feel free to swap in your favorite fruit fillings or toppings, keeping it exciting every time.
Perfect for occasions: Ideal for Valentine’s Day or any celebration, they are sure to steal the show!
Heart Shaped Brownies Ingredients
• Get ready to create a lovely treat!
For the Brownies
- Unsalted Butter – Provides fat for moisture and richness; substitute with margarine for a non-dairy option.
- Unsweetened Baking Chocolate – The primary source of deep chocolate flavor; can be swapped with cocoa powder (use 1/3 cup powder plus 1 tablespoon of oil for each ounce).
- Sugar – Adds essential sweetness and helps create a chewy texture; brown sugar may enhance flavor further.
- Large Eggs – Binds the mixture, providing structure; can be replaced with flax eggs for a vegan variation.
- Instant Espresso Powder – Intensifies the chocolate flavor; omit if not available, or use coffee for a similar effect.
- Vanilla Extract – Adds complexity to the overall flavor; no substitutions necessary.
- Kosher Salt – Balances sweetness; regular salt is an acceptable substitute.
- All-Purpose Flour – Provides structure; alternatively, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for the heart shaped brownies.
For the Raspberry-Lemon Buttercream
- Powdered Sugar – Used for sweetening the frosting; can be replaced with coconut sugar for a healthier option.
- Raspberries – Bring fresh flavor to the buttercream; frozen raspberries work as a perfect substitute.
- Lemon Juice – Adds acidity and brightness to the buttercream; lime juice can also be used for a zesty note.
How to Make Heart Shaped Brownies
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Prepare Baking Pan: Preheat your oven to 325°F. Line a 9″x13″ baking pan with foil, ensuring there’s some overhang, and lightly spray it with nonstick spray for easy removal later.
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Melt Chocolate Mixture: In a saucepan over low heat, melt the butter and chopped unsweetened baking chocolate together. Once melted, remove from heat and whisk in the sugar, followed by the eggs one at a time for a smooth, glossy batter.
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Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gently mix in the instant espresso powder and vanilla extract, then sift in the flour and kosher salt. Stir until just combined, careful not to overmix—your brownies will thank you later!
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Bake Brownies: Pour the rich batter into your prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Bake for about 20 minutes, until the brownies are slightly puffed up and a toothpick inserted comes out with a few moist crumbs.
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Make Raspberry Buttercream: In a saucepan, cook the raspberries over medium heat until they break down into a sauce. Strain the juice to remove seeds and reduce. Let the juice cool, then beat room-temperature butter in a bowl, adding in powdered sugar, cooled raspberry juice, lemon juice, and salt until smooth and creamy.
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Cut Brownies: Once cooled completely, carefully lift the brownies out of the pan using the foil edges. Use heart-shaped cookie cutters to create charming brownie hearts—perfect for your festive celebration!
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Assemble: Pipe or spread a generous layer of raspberry-lemon buttercream on half of the brownies. Sandwich with the remaining brownie hearts, dust with powdered sugar for a sweet finish, and get ready to delight your loved ones!
Optional: Garnish with fresh raspberries or chocolate shavings for an extra special touch.
Exact quantities are listed in the recipe card below.
Tips for the Best Heart Shaped Brownies
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Cooling Time: Always allow the brownies to cool completely before cutting. This prevents messy edges and gives you perfect heart shapes.
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Use Room Temperature Butter: Make sure your butter is at room temperature for the buttercream. Cold butter can lead to a lumpy frosting that won’t spread easily.
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Check Oven Temperature: Use an oven thermometer! Baking with an accurate temperature ensures your brownies turn out fudgy and moist, not dry.
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Master the Frosting: If your raspberry-lemon buttercream is too thin, gradually add more powdered sugar until you reach your desired consistency.
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Experiment with Flavors: Feel free to swap out raspberries for other fruits when making the buttercream. Flavor variations make the heart shaped brownies exciting every time you bake!
What to Serve with Heart Shaped Brownies?
Indulging in fudgy brownies with fruity frosting is a joy that deserves a complete meal experience. Let’s elevate your treat with these delightful pairings!
- Fresh Berries: Bright and tangy, a side of strawberries and blueberries enhances the fruity notes of the frosting beautifully.
- Vanilla Ice Cream: Creamy ice cream melting over warm brownies creates a comforting dessert that will leave everyone wanting more.
- Coffee or Espresso: A strong, rich cup of coffee may contrast the sweetness of the brownies, accentuating their fudgy goodness.
- Whipped Cream: Fluffy and light, it adds a luxurious element to the dessert experience, perfect for those who love a little extra indulgence.
- Chocolate Dipping Sauce: For chocoholics, a warm chocolate sauce serves as the perfect drizzle or dip to enhance the chocolate flavor while adding a fun touch!
- Champagne or Sparkling Wine: Celebrate any occasion paired with bubbly, elevating your dessert into a festive delight that dances on the palate.
- Lemon Sorbet: The refreshing, zesty nature of lemon sorbet can cleanse the palate between bites of rich brownie, ensuring a balanced dessert experience.
Heart Shaped Brownies Variations
Feel free to get creative and make these brownies your own with a few delightful twists!
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Fruit Purees: Swap raspberry for strawberry or blueberry puree in the buttercream for a different flavor burst.
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Nutty Addition: Fold chopped walnuts or pecans into the brownie batter for added crunch and richness.
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Mint Chocolate: Add a few drops of peppermint extract to the frosting for a minty twist that’s refreshing.
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Spicy Kick: Blend in a pinch of cayenne or cinnamon into the brownie mix for a surprising hint of heat.
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Zesty Citrus: Use lime or orange juice in the frosting instead of lemon for a unique citrus taste.
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Double Layer Delight: Stack two brownie layers with frosting in between, creating a decadent brownie sandwich bursting with flavor.
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No-Bake Option: For a no-bake variation, create a brownie batter bliss ball by rolling the mix into bite-sized balls, perfect for little treats!
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Alternative Sweeteners: Substitute regular sugar with maple syrup or honey in the brownie mix for a naturally sweetened version.
With these variations, you can create a whole dessert experience that is uniquely yours!
Make Ahead Options
These Heart Shaped Brownies are perfect for busy home cooks wanting to streamline their dessert prep! You can bake the brownies up to 3 days in advance; simply let them cool completely before wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerating to maintain their fudgy texture. The raspberry-lemon buttercream can also be made up to 24 hours ahead—store it in an airtight container in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, take the brownies out of the fridge and let them come to room temperature while you pipe the buttercream on top. With these make-ahead tips, you can enjoy stress-free baking and share delightful treats with your loved ones!
Storage Tips for Heart Shaped Brownies
Room Temperature: Store brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain their fudgy texture.
Fridge: If you prefer a colder treat, these heart shaped brownies can be refrigerated for up to a week, ensuring they remain moist and flavorful.
Freezer: For long-term storage, freeze uniced brownies wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before serving.
Reheating: To enjoy warm brownies, pop them in the microwave for a few seconds or reheat in the oven at 350°F until just warm—perfect for serving with a scoop of ice cream!
Heart Shaped Brownies with Raspberry Lemon Buttercream Recipe FAQs
How do I choose the right ripeness for my raspberries?
Absolutely! When selecting raspberries for your frosting, look for berries that are plump and firm with a bright, vivid color. Avoid those with dark spots or mushy textures. Ideally, they should be used fresh, but if you’d like to pick up some frozen ones, they work great too—just make sure to thaw and drain excess moisture before cooking!
How should I store heart-shaped brownies?
For optimal freshness, store your heart-shaped brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you need to keep them for longer, you can refrigerate them for up to one week. Just be sure to separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking!
Can I freeze heart-shaped brownies?
Certainly! To freeze uniced brownies, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store them in an airtight container for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply thaw them in the fridge overnight before serving, and they’ll taste freshly made!
What should I do if my brownie batter is too thick?
If you find that your brownie batter is too thick, don’t worry! This can happen if the flour is packed too tightly while measuring. Simply add a tablespoon of milk or water to the batter and mix thoroughly until you achieve a smoother consistency. This will ensure your brownies remain fudgy and delicious!
Are there any dietary considerations for these brownies?
Very! These heart-shaped brownies can be adjusted for various dietary needs. For a vegan version, replace large eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with 2.5 tablespoons of water for each egg). For gluten sensitivity, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Always check your frostings and ingredients for any potential allergens, particularly if serving to guests with dietary restrictions.
How long do the raspberry-lemon buttercream and brownies stay fresh together?
Once assembled, the decorative heart-shaped brownies should be enjoyed within 3 days if stored in an airtight container in the fridge. The frosting may begin to soften if kept out too long, but if properly stored, you’ll still enjoy that delightful combination of flavors even after a little time!
Heart Shaped Brownies with Zesty Raspberry Lemon Frosting
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 325°F. Line a 9"x13" baking pan with foil, lightly spray with nonstick spray.
- Melt the butter and chocolate in a saucepan over low heat. Once melted, whisk in the sugar and eggs one at a time.
- Mix in the espresso powder and vanilla, sift in the flour and kosher salt, stirring gently until combined.
- Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 20 minutes. Check with toothpick for doneness.
- In a saucepan, cook raspberries over medium heat, strain, and reduce juice. Beat butter, powdered sugar, cooled juice, lemon juice, and salt until smooth.
- Once cooled, lift brownies from pan and use heart-shaped cookie cutters to cut into hearts.
- Frost half of the brownie hearts with raspberry-lemon buttercream and sandwich with remaining hearts. Dust with powdered sugar.