Heart Shaped Brownies

These heart-shaped brownies are such a delightful treat that can brighten up anyone’s day! Imagine a rich, dense brownie, soft in the middle with a hint of crunch around the edges, all wrapped up in a sweet, chocolate ganache. This recipe takes everything you love about brownies and gives it a romantic twist, perfect for sharing with someone special or simply for indulging yourself. Whether it’s a fancy dinner or a cozy movie night, these Heart Shaped Brownies will impress. Plus, making them is a fun experience in itself! So, grab your apron and let’s create something delicious together.

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Why This Recipe Works

Heart-shaped brownies are a delightful combination of rich flavors and irresistible textures, making them the perfect treat for romantic occasions or just to satisfy a sweet tooth. This recipe balances fudgy brownie consistency with a luscious chocolate ganache and a touch of salted caramel, offering a gourmet dessert experience at home.

Why You’ll Love This Heart Shaped Brownies

These heart-shaped brownies not only look appealing but taste amazing too. Their fudgy middle and crunchy outer layer create a delightful contrast, topped off with silky ganache and a hint of saltiness from the caramel. Perfect for sharing, these brownies are sure to impress your loved ones.

Ingredients

• 2 2/3 cups white granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs (cold)
• 2 egg yolks (cold)
• 10 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
• 2/3 cup canola or vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup milk chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup white granulated sugar (for caramel)
• 2 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter (room temperature and cubed)
• 1/4 cup heavy cream (room temperature, for caramel)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (for caramel)
• 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (for caramel)

Making the Brownies

Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan

First, preheat your oven to 325°F. While it heats up, grab a 9×13 inch baking pan and spray it with non-stick baking spray. Line the bottom and two sides with parchment paper, then give it another quick spray. This way, your brownies will pop right out when they are ready.

Combine Dry Ingredients

In a mixing bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, cornstarch, and salt. This helps to aerate the dry ingredients, making your brownies lighter. Set this mixture aside for later.

Beat Sugar and Eggs

In a different bowl, mix the granulated sugar, whole eggs, and egg yolks. Use a mixer on high speed for about 5 minutes until it becomes fluffy and light in color. This step adds air to the batter, contributing to that perfect brownie texture.

Add Wet Ingredients

Melt the butter in the microwave, but let it cool a little before using it. Once the eggs are fluffy, add the melted butter, oil, and vanilla extract. Mix on low speed until everything is well combined.

Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures

Now, gently fold in half of the dry ingredients using a rubber spatula. Once that’s slightly mixed, add the rest of the dry ingredients and carefully fold until fully combined. Be gentle—you want to preserve that nice airy texture. Finally, gently mix in all the types of chocolate chips, ensuring an even distribution throughout the batter.

Bake the Brownies

Now it’s time to pour the brownie batter into the prepared pan. Bake for about 45-55 minutes. The edges should be set, but the center may look slightly underbaked, which is okay. Once done baking, let them cool completely on a rack. This cooling step is important—trust me; it’ll make cutting into them much easier later!

Preparing the Salted Caramel

Melt the Sugar

While your brownies are cooling, let’s make the salted caramel! In a saucepan over medium heat, pour the sugar in. Keep whisking as it clumps and eventually melts.

Make the Caramel

Once the sugar melts and turns a beautiful amber color (this will take about 30 seconds to 1 minute), take it off the heat. Gradually mix in half of the cubed butter, allowing it to melt before adding the rest. Once everything is nicely combined, add the heavy cream the same way, stirring until you achieve a smooth caramel.

Finish the Caramel

Add in the vanilla extract and salt, then pour the warm caramel into a glass container. Let it cool completely before you use it.

Crafting the Chocolate Ganache

Heat and Combine

For the ganache, place your chocolate chips into a bowl. In a saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium-low heat until it’s hot and steaming. Then, pour this over the chocolate chips. Let this mixture sit for about 1 minute and 30 seconds. After this resting time, stir with a spatula until everything becomes silky smooth.

Set the Ganache

Pop the ganache in the refrigerator for 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring every 10-15 minutes until it thickens to a pudding-like consistency. This step is crucial for getting that perfect frosting on your brownies!

Assembling the Heart Shaped Brownies

Cut Brownies into Heart Shapes

Once your brownies have completely cooled, transfer them onto a cutting board. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out individual brownies. I love the way they look all lined up—they truly add a festive touch!

Frost and Drizzle

Now it’s time for the fun part! Using a spoon, generously frost each brownie with the chocolate ganache. Then, drizzle the salted caramel on top and finish with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. These final touches make a huge difference!

Serving Suggestions

You can serve these heart-shaped brownies warm for a melty experience, or enjoy them chilled for a firmer texture. They are perfect for dessert platters or as heartfelt gifts for friends or family.

Tips for Success

• Ensure all your ingredients are at room temperature; this helps everything blend better.
• Be cautious not to overmix the brownie batter after adding the dry ingredients. This keeps them fudgy!
• Allow the brownies to cool completely before cutting them; this ensures cleaner edges and perfect heart shapes.

Variations

• Want to mix things up? Swap chocolate chips for white chocolate or butterscotch.
• You can add nuts like walnuts or pecans for a lovely crunch in every bite.
• If you’re feeling lighter, omit the ganache and simply dust with powdered sugar.

Storage Tips

To store leftover brownies, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also refrigerate them for longer freshness. Freezing is an option too—simply thaw them in the fridge overnight before serving.

Pairing Ideas

For a complete dessert experience, these heart-shaped brownies match beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, fresh berries, or even a comforting cup of coffee.

FAQs

1. Can I use a different type of chocolate in this recipe?
Absolutely! Feel free to substitute dark chocolate or white chocolate chips according to your taste.

2. How do I prevent my brownies from sticking to the pan?
Be sure to line the pan with parchment paper and apply non-stick spray for easy removal.

3. What can I serve with heart-shaped brownies?
They pair wonderfully with ice cream, whipped cream, or a simple dusting of powdered sugar.

4. How should I store leftover brownies?
Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature or refrigerate for longer freshness.

5. How can I make my brownies more festive?
Decorate them with colorful sprinkles or heart-shaped candies for special occasions.

These heart-shaped brownies are a charming treat that will surely impress. With their decadent chocolatey goodness, they are perfect for occasions like Valentine’s Day or any day when you want to share something sweet. Engaging both the eyes and taste buds, they are easy to personalize and equally delightful to enjoy. Make a batch to create memorable moments with loved ones.

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