Description
Delight in these festive Red Velvet Brownie Hearts, a perfect Valentine’s Day treat combining rich cocoa with a vibrant red hue. Soft, moist, and full of classic red velvet flavor, these heart-shaped brownies are ideal for sharing or gifting, garnished with a dusting of powdered sugar or creamy frosting for an extra touch of indulgence.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon red food coloring
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar
Tools & Garnishes
- Heart-shaped cookie cutter
- Powdered sugar or cream cheese frosting for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, making sure to leave some overhang for easy brownie removal later.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Add Eggs and Flavorings: Beat in the eggs, vanilla extract, and red food coloring until the batter becomes uniform in color and texture.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Sift together the cocoa powder, all-purpose flour, salt, and white vinegar. Gradually stir these dry ingredients into the wet mixture until the batter is thick, smooth, and evenly mixed.
- Bake the Brownies: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs but no raw batter.
- Cool Completely: Allow the brownies to cool entirely in the pan to set properly and make cutting easier.
- Cut into Hearts: Once fully cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the brownies out. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut the brownies into hearts of your desired size.
- Garnish and Serve: Dust the brownie hearts with powdered sugar or drizzle with cream cheese frosting if desired, adding a decorative and flavorful finishing touch.
Notes
- Chill the brownies for at least 30 minutes before cutting to get the cleanest heart shapes.
- Save leftover brownie scraps for parfaits, ice cream toppings, or a sweet snack on their own.
- The cream cheese frosting adds a classic tangy contrast to the sweet red velvet flavor.
