If you’re looking to brighten up your dessert table with a treat that’s as delightful to eat as it is to look at, then you’re in for a real treat. This Easy Strawberry Brownies from Scratch Recipe combines the luscious sweetness of fresh strawberries with a classic brownie texture to create something truly special. Perfectly moist and bursting with berry flavor, these strawberry brownies have a lovely pink hue that makes every bite feel like a celebration. Whether you’re baking for friends, family, or just indulging yourself, this recipe is simple to follow and guarantees a deliciously memorable outcome.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are straightforward, yet each one plays an essential part in crafting the moist, flavorful, and beautifully colored strawberry brownies you’ll adore. Having quality basics sets the stage for brilliance in every bite.
- 1 1/2 cups sugar (granulated): Sweetens the brownies perfectly without overpowering the natural strawberry tartness.
- 1 cup butter (unsalted, softened): Adds rich moisture and helps create a tender crumb.
- 2 large eggs: Bind everything together and create a lovely rise.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: The structure backbone for your brownies.
- 1 cup strawberries (frozen): Pureed to infuse authentic fruity flavor and moisture.
- 1/2 tsp baking powder: Gives a gentle lift, ensuring your brownies aren’t too dense.
- 1 pinch red food coloring: Enhances the natural pink shade for that irresistible look.
- 1 cup powdered sugar: For the smooth, sweet glaze topping.
- 3 tbsp whole milk: Helps achieve the perfect glaze consistency.
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth to the glaze flavor.
How to Make Easy Strawberry Brownies from Scratch Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a 9″x13″ brownie pan with parchment paper. This step might seem simple but ensures your brownies bake evenly and come out cleanly when sliced.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
Beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. This mixture serves as the foundation for your brownies’ tender texture, so take a few minutes to get it just right.
Step 3: Puree the Strawberries and Combine
In a food processor or blender, puree the frozen strawberries until silky smooth. Folding this puree into your butter and sugar mixture introduces that lush strawberry flavor along with added moisture, which is essential for keeping every bite wonderfully soft.
Step 4: Add the Eggs
Incorporate the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Don’t worry if the mixture looks a bit curdled at this point; it’s exactly how it should be before the dry ingredients come in.
Step 5: Add Food Coloring
Drop in a small amount of red food coloring gradually until you reach a vibrant pink shade. Since the color will mellow during baking, aiming for a bright pink now will give your brownies that beautiful, light strawberry hue.
Step 6: Mix Dry Ingredients and Combine
Whisk together the flour and baking powder in a separate bowl, then gently fold these dry ingredients into your wet mixture. This results in a thick, stiff batter that promises brownies with just the right chew.
Step 7: Bake the Brownies
Pour the batter evenly into your prepared pan and spread it out. Bake for 25 to 28 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Resist the urge to open the oven door too often as they bake to keep the texture consistent.
Step 8: Let the Brownies Cool
Once baked, allow your brownies to cool to room temperature before moving to the glaze step. Cooling is crucial—it helps the brownies set properly and prevents the glaze from melting.
Step 9: Prepare the Glaze
While waiting, mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Start with two tablespoons of milk and add a third if you prefer a thinner glaze. This sweet finish adds a lovely shine and extra flavor to your Easy Strawberry Brownies from Scratch Recipe.
Step 10: Glaze and Chill
Pour the glaze evenly over the cooled brownies. To let the glaze harden properly, place the brownies in the fridge for about 20 minutes—this step is key for neat slicing and that irresistible glossy top.
Step 11: Slice and Serve
Lift the brownies out of the pan using the parchment paper edges, slice into generous squares, and consider topping each piece with a fresh strawberry slice for that extra wow factor. You’re now ready to enjoy the pure joy of homemade strawberry brownies!
How to Serve Easy Strawberry Brownies from Scratch Recipe
Garnishes
A simple fresh strawberry slice on top instantly elevates these brownies, adding a pop of color and freshness. You can also experiment with a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted white chocolate for extra flair.
Side Dishes
Serve these strawberry brownies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for classic indulgence or pair with a cup of hot herbal tea to balance the sweetness. They lend themselves beautifully to casual gatherings or special celebrations alike.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking smaller brownie squares on a pretty platter or make mini brownie bites by cutting into small squares and skewering with decorative picks. For a party twist, assemble brownie parfaits layered with whipped cream and fresh berries—everyone will be impressed!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once glazed and sliced, store your strawberry brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to keep them soft and flavorful. For longer storage, the fridge is fine but may firm up the brownies a bit.
Freezing
Wrap individual brownie slices tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. Frozen strawberry brownies stay fresh for up to 2 months, making this recipe great for preparing ahead or saving treats for later.
Reheating
To bring back a fresh-from-the-oven softness, warm frozen or refrigerated brownies in the microwave for 15–20 seconds. Be careful not to overheat as the glaze can melt too much, but a little warmth helps release those irresistible strawberry aromas.
FAQs
Can I use fresh strawberries instead of frozen?
Absolutely! Fresh strawberries can be pureed just like frozen ones. However, frozen strawberries tend to blend into a smoother puree and add natural moisture, so you might need to adjust slightly if using fresh by reducing other liquid ingredients.
Is this recipe very sweet?
The Easy Strawberry Brownies from Scratch Recipe balances sweetness with the natural tartness of strawberries. If you prefer less sweet desserts, you can reduce the granulated sugar by a small amount, but the sugary glaze adds classic brownie charm.
Can I make these gluten-free?
For a gluten-free twist, substitute the all-purpose flour with a cup-for-cup gluten-free baking blend. Keep an eye on the texture, as sometimes gluten-free batters can be a bit more delicate, but these brownies can still turn out beautifully.
Why is there food coloring in the recipe?
The pinch of red food coloring intensifies the natural pink hue that tends to fade during baking, ensuring your Easy Strawberry Brownies from Scratch Recipe looks as vibrant and inviting as they taste.
Can I add nuts or chocolate chips?
For sure! Mixing in chopped nuts like walnuts or a handful of white chocolate chips adds extra texture and flavor that complements the strawberry essence perfectly. Feel free to customize to your liking.
Final Thoughts
These Easy Strawberry Brownies from Scratch Recipe are a wonderful way to put a creative spin on a classic favorite. They’re fun to make, taste incredible, and bring beautiful color to any dessert spread. I can’t wait for you to try them out and share the joy of homemade strawberry brownies with your loved ones!
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Easy Strawberry Brownies from Scratch Recipe
- Total Time: 43 minutes
- Yield: 15 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Easy Strawberry Brownies From Scratch are a delightful twist on classic brownies, featuring a vibrant strawberry puree mixed into a buttery batter and topped with a sweet vanilla glaze. Perfectly moist with a light pink hue, these brownies are ideal for springtime treats or any occasion that calls for a fruity dessert.
Ingredients
Brownie Batter
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup frozen strawberries, pureed
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 pinch red food coloring (optional)
Vanilla Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons whole milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Garnish
- Fresh strawberry slices (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Prepare the baking pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9″x13″ brownie pan with parchment paper, ensuring some paper hangs over the edges to help lift the brownies out later.
- Mix butter and sugar: Using a mixer, beat the softened butter with the granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
- Puree strawberries: In a food processor or blender, puree the frozen strawberries until smooth. Gently fold the strawberry puree into the butter and sugar mixture, mixing until combined. A few lumps from the butter are okay here.
- Add eggs: Incorporate eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. The batter may look curdled—don’t worry, this is normal and will resolve once the dry ingredients are added.
- Add food coloring: Add a small drop of red food coloring and mix to your desired intensity. Remember, the color will become lighter after baking, so aim for a vibrant pink. Alternatively, beet powder can be used for natural coloring.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and baking powder. Gradually fold this dry mixture into the wet ingredients until you have a stiff, cohesive brownie batter.
- Fill the pan and bake: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 28 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool the brownies: Remove from the oven and allow the brownies to cool completely at room temperature in the pan.
- Prepare the glaze: While the brownies cool, whisk together the powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of milk, and vanilla extract in a bowl. Adjust the consistency by adding the remaining 1 tablespoon of milk if you prefer a thinner glaze.
- Apply the glaze: Pour the vanilla glaze evenly over the cooled brownies and spread it gently with a spatula.
- Set the glaze: Allow the glaze to harden. For faster setting, refrigerate the brownies for about 20 minutes; otherwise, let them sit at room temperature until firm.
- Slice and serve: Use the parchment paper to lift the brownies out of the pan. Slice into 15 squares, top each with a fresh strawberry slice if desired, and enjoy your strawberry-infused treat!
Notes
- You can substitute fresh strawberries for frozen if preferred; just puree and strain to reduce excess water.
- Be careful with food coloring as a little goes a long way and affects the final pink shade.
- For a dairy-free version, use a plant-based butter and milk alternative in the glaze.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- Feel free to add chopped nuts for extra texture in the batter if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 28 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
