Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies are a fun twist on your usual dessert! These brownies are rich, fudgy, and topped with sweet chocolate and fresh strawberries. Yum!
It’s like a party in your mouth! I love serving these at gatherings, and they always disappear fast. Plus, they’re super easy to make—who doesn’t love a treat that looks fancy but is simple?
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Unsalted Butter: This adds richness and moisture to your brownies. If you’re out, feel free to use coconut oil or softened margarine as a substitute. Just keep in mind that margarine can alter the flavor slightly.
Sugar: Granulated sugar is essential for sweetness. For a healthier option, you can use coconut sugar or a sugar substitute like Stevia. Just adjust the amount since some substitutes are sweeter.
Fresh Strawberries: Fresh strawberries are the star here! If they’re not in season, try other fruits like raspberries or even cherries. Frozen strawberries can work too; just thaw and drain them before use.
Cocoa Powder: A must for the rich chocolate flavor. If you have Dutch-processed cocoa powder instead, it will still work but will give a slightly different taste.
Chocolate Chips: Semi-sweet chocolate chips add that decadent topping. You can replace them with dark chocolate chips for a more intense flavor or milk chocolate chips if you prefer a creamier taste.
How Do I Achieve the Perfect Brownie Texture?
Getting the texture just right is crucial for delicious brownies. Here are key steps to ensure you nail it:
- **Melt the butter slowly**: This keeps it smooth and helps to create that fudgy texture you want. Too hot can make it greasy.
- **Mix eggs in one at a time**: This helps incorporate air, giving your brownies the right lift without making them cakey.
- **Do not overmix**: Once you combine the wet and dry ingredients, mix until just combined. Overmixing can lead to tough brownies.
- **Test with a toothpick**: When baking, check with a toothpick at around the 30-minute mark. You want a few fudgy crumbs for that perfect brownie!
Following these tips will help you create brownies that are gooey and rich – just perfect for chocolate lovers!
How to Make Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Brownies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks)
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
For the Topping:
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (for the topping)
- 1/4 cup heavy cream (for the topping)
- 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (for drizzling)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful recipe takes about 15 minutes of prep time and 30-35 minutes of baking time, plus some extra time to cool the brownies. You’ll be enjoying these delicious chocolate-covered strawberry brownies in a little over an hour!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat Your Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Then, grease and line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, which will make it easier to lift the brownies out later.
2. Melt the Butter
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Be gentle so it doesn’t burn! Once the butter is melted, take it off the heat and stir in the granulated sugar until it’s mixed well.
3. Add Eggs and Vanilla
Let the butter and sugar mixture cool for a few minutes. Then, whisk in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Make sure it’s nice and smooth!
4. Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder. This helps create a smooth brownie texture by breaking up any clumps.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; it’s okay to have a few lumps!
6. Layer the Brownies
Pour half of the brownie batter into your prepared baking pan. Spread it evenly across the bottom. Next, layer the sliced strawberries evenly over this batter. Now, pour the remaining brownie batter on top, spreading it out to cover all the strawberries.
7. Bake the Brownies
Pop the pan into your preheated oven and bake for about 30-35 minutes. To check if they’re done, insert a toothpick into the center. It should come out mostly clean with just a few fudgy crumbs—perfect!
8. Prepare the Chocolate Topping
While the brownies are baking, make the chocolate topping. In a small saucepan over low heat, mix 1 cup of chocolate chips with the heavy cream, stirring until it’s smooth and melted. This will be your delicious ganache!
9. Add the Topping
After the brownies are baked, take them out and let them cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes. Once they’re slightly cooled, pour the chocolate ganache over the top, smoothing it out evenly.
10. Create the Drizzle
For a fancy touch, melt the remaining 1/4 cup of chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl, heating them in 15-second intervals until smooth. Then, put the melted chocolate into a small zip-lock bag, snip a small corner off, and drizzle over the brownies.
11. Cool and Serve
Let the brownies cool completely before cutting them into squares. For an extra special touch, garnish each square with additional sliced strawberries if you’d like. Now you’re ready to serve and enjoy your delicious chocolate covered strawberry brownies!
Can I Use Different Types of Fruit in This Recipe?
Absolutely! While strawberries are a classic choice, you can substitute them with other fruits like raspberries, blueberries, or even sliced bananas. Just make sure to adjust the amount based on the moisture these fruits might add to the batter.
What If I Don’t Have Unsweetened Cocoa Powder?
If you run out of unsweetened cocoa powder, you can use Dutch-processed cocoa, but note that it may change the flavor slightly and affect the color. Alternatively, you could use a mix of cocoa powder and melted unsweetened chocolate—use about 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder and 1 ounce of melted chocolate for every 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder required.
How to Store Leftover Brownies?
Store leftover brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. If you want them to last longer, you can refrigerate them for up to a week. Just be sure to let them come to room temperature before serving for the best texture!
Can I Make These Brownies Gluten-Free?
Yes, you can easily make these brownies gluten-free! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Be sure to check that your cocoa powder and chocolate chips are also gluten-free, and you’ll be good to go!
