If you love the combination of rich chocolate and juicy strawberries, you are in for a treat with this Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Brownies Recipe. This dessert features moist, fudgy brownies topped generously with fresh strawberries and a silky, glossy chocolate ganache that perfectly hugs each berry. The marriage of textures and flavors is absolutely irresistible, making it an ideal choice for special occasions or whenever you crave a little chocolate-covered magic in your life.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is easy and essential to achieve the perfect balance of fudgy brownies, fresh fruit, and luscious chocolate ganache. Each component plays a starring role in flavor, texture, and appearance.
- Fudge brownie mix (18 oz box): The foundation of our dessert providing that classic rich, chocolatey base with minimal effort.
- Eggs, oil, and water: These wet ingredients activate the brownie mix and yield a perfectly chewy texture.
- Fresh strawberries (2 cups, hulled and sliced): Freshness and natural sweetness that brings brightness and lightness to the dense brownies.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate (1 ½ cups): High-quality chocolate adds depth and smoothness essential for the ganache topping.
- Heavy cream (½ cup): Cream enriches the ganache to create a shiny, melt-in-your-mouth glaze that beautifully coats the strawberries.
How to Make Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Brownies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Brownie Base
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or greasing it lightly. Follow the brownie box instructions to mix the batter, using eggs, oil, and water as directed for the best texture. Pour the mixture into your pan and bake for the recommended time until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs. Let the brownies cool completely in the pan to set before moving on.
Step 2: Add the Fresh Strawberries
Once the brownies have cooled fully, gently arrange the hulled and sliced strawberries evenly across the top. Their vivid red color and juicy texture will add a fresh contrast to the rich base, so take your time to spread them out beautifully.
Step 3: Make the Chocolate Ganache
In a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl, heat the heavy cream until it just begins to simmer — not boil. Pour the hot cream over your semi-sweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate and let it sit for 1 to 2 minutes. This step softens the chocolate, making it easier to stir into a smooth, glossy ganache. Stir gently until the mixture is perfectly combined and shiny.
Step 4: Pour the Ganache Over Strawberries
Carefully pour the chocolate ganache over the strawberries, using a spatula or spoon to spread it evenly so every berry is generously coated. This creates that mouthwatering chocolate shell that hugs the fruit.
Step 5: Chill & Slice
Transfer the pan to the refrigerator and chill for at least 1 hour or until the ganache has fully set. Chilling not only firms up the chocolate but also makes slicing easier and cleaner. When ready, slice into 12 to 16 squares for perfect portion sizes.
How to Serve Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Brownies Recipe
Garnishes
For an added touch of elegance, sprinkle a light dusting of powdered sugar or some finely chopped pistachios on top right before serving. This adds a hint of sweetness or crunch and makes these brownies look even more enticing on the plate.
Side Dishes
Pair these luscious brownies with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream to enhance the creamy, fruity experience. Fresh berries on the side can also complement the strawberries and add a burst of color and freshness.
Creative Ways to Present
These brownies are just begging to be the star of your dessert table. Try serving them on a rustic wooden board with fresh mint leaves scattered around or drizzle a little extra melted chocolate on the plate. Individual glass dessert cups layered with brownie chunks, strawberries, and ganache can turn this recipe into a chic parfait style treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Brownies Recipe refrigerated in an airtight container. Because of the fresh strawberries, enjoy them within 2 days to savor the fruit at its best.
Freezing
Freezing isn’t ideal due to the fresh strawberries, which can lose texture upon thawing. If you must freeze, separate the brownies from the fruit and freeze the brownie base alone for up to 2 months, then add fresh berries and ganache after thawing.
Reheating
Reheat at room temperature or serve chilled straight from the fridge for a firmer ganache. Avoid microwaving, which can melt the chocolate unevenly and affect the strawberries’ freshness.
FAQs
Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?
Fresh strawberries are best for this recipe to maintain the right texture and prevent excess moisture. Frozen berries tend to be watery once thawed, which can make your brownies soggy.
What kind of chocolate is best for the ganache?
Choose a high-quality semi-sweet chocolate or a mix of bittersweet and semisweet for a rich flavor and smooth consistency. Avoid low-quality chocolate chips as they may not melt as smoothly.
Can I make the ganache dairy-free?
Yes! Substitute the heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk or another dairy-free cream alternative. It will slightly change the flavor but still create a delicious, silky ganache.
How should I slice the brownies for clean cuts?
Chill the brownies well before slicing and wipe your knife clean with a warm, damp cloth between cuts. This helps achieve neat slices without dragging the ganache or strawberries.
Can I add nuts to this recipe?
Absolutely! Mixing chopped walnuts or pecans into the brownie batter adds a lovely crunch and flavor that complements the chocolate and strawberries beautifully.
Final Thoughts
This Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Brownies Recipe is one of those incredible desserts that never fails to impress while being simple enough to whip up anytime. From the fudgy base to the fresh berries and rich ganache, every bite feels like a celebration. I can’t wait for you to try making this at home and enjoy the joyful smiles it brings around your table.
Print
Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Brownies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes (including chilling)
- Yield: 12–16 brownies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Brownies combine rich, fudgy brownies topped with fresh strawberries and a smooth chocolate ganache. Perfect as a decadent dessert, this treat balances the sweetness of berries with the indulgence of chocolate, making it an ideal Valentine’s Day delight or any special occasion dessert.
Ingredients
Brownie Base
- 1 box (18 oz) fudge brownie mix (plus eggs, oil, and water as directed on the package)
Topping
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
Chocolate Ganache
- 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
- ½ cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
- Mix and Bake Brownies: Prepare the brownie mix according to the package instructions, adding eggs, oil, and water as directed. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for the recommended time, around 25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs.
- Cool Brownies: Remove the brownies from the oven and let them cool completely in the baking pan. Cooling thoroughly helps the ganache set properly later.
- Arrange Strawberries: Once cooled, evenly distribute the hulled and sliced fresh strawberries over the top of the brownies, pressing them lightly into the surface.
- Prepare Chocolate Ganache: In a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl, heat the heavy cream just until it begins to simmer. Pour the hot cream over the semi-sweet chocolate chips and let sit for 1 to 2 minutes to soften the chocolate. Stir gently until the mixture is smooth and glossy.
- Coat Strawberries with Ganache: Pour the prepared ganache over the strawberries, spreading it gently with a spatula to cover all the berries evenly and create a smooth top layer.
- Chill and Set: Place the brownies in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to allow the ganache to fully set and firm up.
- Serve: After chilling, slice the brownies into 12 to 16 pieces using a clean knife wiped between each cut for easier slicing. Serve chilled or at room temperature for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use the best-quality chocolate available for a rich, silky ganache.
- To achieve clean slices, chill the brownies well and wipe the knife between cuts.
- These brownies are best enjoyed within 2 days due to the freshness of the strawberries.
