Valentines Treats Mini Brownie Hearts
Highlighted under: Celebration Recipes
I absolutely love making festive treats, and these Valentines Treats Mini Brownie Hearts are a delightful favorite of mine. With luscious chocolatey goodness shaped into heart forms, they are the perfect way to show love on Valentine’s Day. The rich and fudgy texture melts in your mouth, making them utterly irresistible. Plus, they're incredibly easy to whip up, ensuring that I can spend more time enjoying the moments with my loved ones. These brownie hearts truly are a sweet celebration of love!
When I decided to bake these brownie hearts, I was looking for something that combined my love for chocolate with the romantic spirit of Valentine’s Day. I experimented with different ingredients to achieve a fudgy texture and rich flavor, which ultimately resulted in these delightful bites of heaven. I added a touch of vanilla extract to elevate the chocolate flavor, and it made all the difference!
One of my favorite tips is to slightly underbake the brownies to keep them soft and gooey in the center. This creates a beautiful contrast with the outer edges, giving a perfect melt-in-your-mouth experience. To decorate, I love using colorful sprinkles or a drizzle of white chocolate - it adds a festive touch that makes these brownies pop!
Why You'll Love These Brownie Hearts
- Rich chocolate flavor perfect for any chocolate lover
- Cute heart shape that spreads love and joy
- Soft and fudgy texture that everyone will adore
The Art of Mixing
When combining your wet ingredients, it's essential to ensure the butter is not too hot; otherwise, it can cook the eggs when added. The mixture should be smooth and glossy before adding dry ingredients. If you notice any lumps in the wet mixture, give it a good whisk until fully incorporated. This will create a uniform batter that bakes evenly, allowing the brownie hearts to achieve that delectable fudgy texture.
For the dry ingredients, using a whisk or a fine sieve helps to aerate the flour and cocoa. This step not only removes lumps but also ensures a light texture in the final brownies. Make sure to measure the flour correctly by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling it off with a knife—adding too much flour can lead to dense brownies, which isn't what we want in these delightful hearts.
Baking Perfection
The baking time for these mini brownie hearts is critical. Keep a close eye on them, as overbaking can lead to dry brownies. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out with a few moist crumbs attached but no wet batter. If you notice the edges pulling away from the mold, that’s a good sign they are nearly done. Adjust your baking time slightly if you’re using a different shaped mold; larger sizes may require a few extra minutes.
Cooling is just as crucial as baking. After removing the brownies from the oven, let them rest in the pan for about 5 minutes. This makes it easier to remove them without breaking apart. If they stick, gently run a knife around the edges to help release them. Transferring the brownies to a wire rack allows them to cool completely, which enhances their fudginess—the longer they cool, the more the flavors settle.
Ingredients
Get ready to create some love-filled brownie hearts with these simple ingredients!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- Colorful sprinkles or white chocolate for decoration (optional)
Now that you have all the ingredients gathered, let’s move on to the fun part - baking!
Instructions
Follow these simple steps to bake your mini brownie hearts!
Prepare the Oven and Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a mini heart-shaped silicone mold or cupcake pan.
Mix Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the melted butter and sugar, mixing well. Then, add the eggs one at a time and stir in the vanilla extract until smooth.
Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder until evenly blended.
Combine Mixtures
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Fill the Molds
Pour the brownie batter into the prepared molds, filling each one about 3/4 full.
Bake and Cool
Bake for about 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Decorate
Once completely cooled, decorate with sprinkles or a drizzle of melted white chocolate if desired.
Enjoy these delightful brownie hearts with your loved ones!
Pro Tips
- To ensure extra fudginess, do not overbake the brownies. Adjust the bake time according to your oven's performance.
Decoration & Presentation
Decorating your brownie hearts can elevate their festive appeal! If using melted white chocolate, ensure it is just warm enough to drizzle, as overheating can cause it to thicken quickly, making it difficult to spread. Use a piping bag or a fork to create lovely drizzles over your cooled brownie hearts. This not only adds a beautiful contrast but also an extra layer of sweetness that pairs wonderfully with the rich chocolate flavor.
Consider adding a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top before the white chocolate sets. This sweet and salty combination enhances the richness of the chocolate and adds an unexpected burst of flavor. You can also experiment with different toppings like crushed nuts or edible glitter for a unique twist on your Valentine’s Day treats.
Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
These mini brownie hearts are perfect for make-ahead treats! Once cooled, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To keep them fresh longer, you can refrigerate them for up to a week, but allow them to come to room temperature before serving to enjoy their fudgy texture fully.
If you want to prepare them further in advance, consider freezing individual brownie hearts. Wrap each one tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag. They can last up to 3 months in the freezer. When ready to enjoy, simply thaw them on the counter for a few hours or microwave them for about 10-15 seconds for a warm, gooey treat.
Questions About Recipes
→ Can I substitute the butter?
Yes, you can use coconut oil or vegetable oil as a substitute for butter for a dairy-free option.
→ How should I store leftover brownie hearts?
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
→ Can I freeze these brownie hearts?
Absolutely! You can freeze the cooled brownie hearts for up to 3 months. Just make sure to wrap them well.
→ What other mix-ins can I add?
You can add chocolate chips, nuts, or even a swirl of caramel for added flavor and texture.
Valentines Treats Mini Brownie Hearts
I absolutely love making festive treats, and these Valentines Treats Mini Brownie Hearts are a delightful favorite of mine. With luscious chocolatey goodness shaped into heart forms, they are the perfect way to show love on Valentine’s Day. The rich and fudgy texture melts in your mouth, making them utterly irresistible. Plus, they're incredibly easy to whip up, ensuring that I can spend more time enjoying the moments with my loved ones. These brownie hearts truly are a sweet celebration of love!
Created by: Gillian Sykes
Recipe Type: Celebration Recipes
Skill Level: Beginner
Final Quantity: 24 pieces
What You'll Need
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- Colorful sprinkles or white chocolate for decoration (optional)
How-To Steps
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a mini heart-shaped silicone mold or cupcake pan.
In a large bowl, combine the melted butter and sugar, mixing well. Then, add the eggs one at a time and stir in the vanilla extract until smooth.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder until evenly blended.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Pour the brownie batter into the prepared molds, filling each one about 3/4 full.
Bake for about 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Once completely cooled, decorate with sprinkles or a drizzle of melted white chocolate if desired.
Extra Tips
- To ensure extra fudginess, do not overbake the brownies. Adjust the bake time according to your oven's performance.
Nutritional Breakdown (Per Serving)
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Total Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
- Sodium: 40mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 13g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 8g
- Protein: 1g