If you’re craving something that brings together the rich, indulgent flavor of chocolate with the bright, fruity essence of fresh berries, you’re in for a real treat with the Strawberry Chocolate Chip Brownies with Strawberry Frosting Recipe. These brownies boast a fudgy texture loaded with melty chocolate chips and bursts of freeze-dried strawberry pieces, then topped with a luscious, creamy strawberry frosting that perfectly balances sweetness and tang. Every bite feels like a celebration of fresh, vibrant flavors meeting classic brownie comfort. Whether you’re sharing with friends or savoring on your own, this recipe is sure to become one of your favorites in no time!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe calls for simple, everyday ingredients that come together beautifully to create something truly spectacular. Each component plays a critical role—whether it’s the richness of butter, the tang of strawberry jam, or the luscious chocolate chips adding texture. Here’s everything you’ll need to make these special brownies:
- ½ cup melted unsalted butter: Provides the rich, tender base for the brownie batter ensuring a fudgy texture.
- ¾ cup granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create that lovely chewy bite.
- 2 large eggs: Bind everything together while adding moisture and structure.
- 1 tablespoon water: Helps blend the wet ingredients smoothly.
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract: Elevates the flavor with a warm, inviting aroma.
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder: Brings deep chocolate flavor and color without extra sweetness.
- ¼ cup powdered sugar: Adds a subtle smooth sweetness in the batter.
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled): Provides the perfect structure for these dense brownies.
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the chocolate’s flavor.
- ¾ cup chocolate chips (milk chocolate recommended): Melts in pockets creating gooey, irresistible bites.
- ½ cup freeze dried strawberries: Adds an intense strawberry flavor and delightful crunch inside the batter.
- Generous ¼ cup strawberry jam or preserves: Swirled in for bursts of fruity lusciousness.
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened): The rich base for the creamy strawberry frosting.
- 1½ cups powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting to perfection.
- ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract: Enhances the strawberry frosting’s flavor complexity.
- 1 tablespoon strawberry jam: Adds a natural strawberry punch to the frosting.
- 1 tablespoon milk: Adjusts frosting to a perfectly spreadable consistency.
How to Make Strawberry Chocolate Chip Brownies with Strawberry Frosting Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8-inch square pan with foil or parchment paper, leaving a couple of inches of overhang on two sides for easy removal later. Give the liner a quick grease so your brownies come out perfectly intact, making cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the granulated sugar and melted butter. Mix briefly and then let it rest for 5 minutes—this little pause helps the sugar start dissolving so your brownies get a tender crumb. After resting, whisk vigorously for 30 seconds until combined but don’t expect all sugar to dissolve. Quickly add in your eggs, water, and vanilla extract, whisking again for about 30 seconds until smooth.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
Sprinkle the cocoa powder, powdered sugar, flour, and kosher salt over the wet mixture. Use a whisk to gently blend everything together until just combined. Be sure to clear off the whisk so no dry ingredients are wasted. Then fold in the chocolate chips and half of your freeze-dried strawberries, giving the batter some exciting texture and flavor pockets.
Step 4: Add Strawberry Jam Swirls
Pour the thick batter into your prepared pan, smoothing the top as best as you can. Drop spoonfuls of strawberry jam across the surface. Grab a sharp knife and swirl the jam gently into the batter. The chocolate chips and strawberry pieces will provide some resistance, but keep swirling to create beautiful ribbons of fruitiness that will shine through after baking.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Pop your pan into the oven for 23 to 27 minutes. When a toothpick comes out with moist, fudgy crumbs—especially a little off-center—they’re ready! Avoid overbaking to keep these brownies ultra-moist and chewy. Once out of the oven, place the pan on a wire rack and let it cool completely before frosting.
Step 6: Make the Strawberry Frosting
While the brownies cool, make your luscious strawberry frosting. Use a small food processor to pulverize the remaining freeze-dried strawberries into a fine powder, then sift through a small sieve to catch any seeds or chunks. In a mixing bowl, beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating well between additions. Then mix in the strawberry powder, vanilla extract, jam, and milk until smooth and fluffy. Adjust with more sugar or milk if needed.
Step 7: Frost and Finish Your Brownies
Spread the frosting thickly and evenly across the cooled brownies. This creamy, fruity layer elevates your dessert to a whole new level with every bite.
How to Serve Strawberry Chocolate Chip Brownies with Strawberry Frosting Recipe
Garnishes
For a stunning finishing touch, sprinkle a few extra freeze-dried strawberry flakes or chocolate chips on top. You could also add a few fresh strawberry slices to intensify the berry vibe and make your brownies look like a treat straight from a bakery.
Side Dishes
This dessert pairs wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream. The cool creaminess beautifully complements the fudgy richness and fruity strawberry notes of the brownies. A fresh berry salad on the side can add a refreshing element as well.
Creative Ways to Present
Cut these brownies into small squares and serve them on a pretty platter for parties or afternoon tea. You could even sandwich two brownies together with a generous layer of frosting in between for an extra indulgent treat or serve them alongside a glass of strawberry milkshake for an extra celebration.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover brownies stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days, or refrigerated for up to a week. This will help preserve the freshness of both the fudgy brownies and the strawberry frosting without drying out.
Freezing
Want to save some for later? You can freeze unfrosted brownies wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and then placed in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw completely before frosting. Alternatively, freeze frosted brownies in a single layer in an airtight container for shorter periods—just be gentle to avoid frosting damage.
Reheating
Warm brownies gently in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds to enjoy that ooey-gooey texture all over again. Avoid heating the frosting too much or it might melt, but bringing the brownies close to room temperature before frosting is applied yields the best results.
FAQs
Can I use fresh strawberries instead of freeze-dried in this recipe?
Fresh strawberries have more moisture, which could affect the texture of the brownies and frosting, making them less stable. Freeze-dried strawberries are perfect because they add intense flavor without extra moisture.
What chocolate chips work best in this recipe?
Milk chocolate chips are recommended for their creamy sweetness that pairs beautifully with strawberries, but feel free to use semi-sweet or even white chocolate chips depending on your preference.
Is this recipe suitable for making in larger batches?
Absolutely! Just double or triple the ingredient amounts and bake in a larger pan or multiple pans. Adjust baking time accordingly and keep an eye on doneness.
Can I substitute the strawberry jam with another berry jam?
Yes! Raspberry or even blueberry jam can work nicely for a different fruity twist, but the classic strawberry flavor is what really shines here.
How do I know when the brownies are perfectly baked?
The best way is the toothpick test: insert it just off-center, and it should come out with moist crumbs but no raw batter. This keeps them fudgy rather than cakey or overly dry.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about the combination of chocolate and strawberry, and this Strawberry Chocolate Chip Brownies with Strawberry Frosting Recipe captures it perfectly. From the moist, fudgy texture to the bursts of berry flavor and creamy frosting, every bite is a delicious journey worth savoring. Give this recipe a try—you might just find yourself making it again and again for every sweet occasion!
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Strawberry Chocolate Chip Brownies with Strawberry Frosting Recipe
- Total Time: 44 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Strawberry Brownies offer a delightful twist on a classic dessert by combining rich chocolate with the fresh, fruity flavor of strawberries. Featuring a fudgy brownie base loaded with chocolate chips and freeze dried strawberries, swirled with strawberry jam, and topped with a luscious strawberry-infused frosting, this recipe is perfect for strawberry and chocolate lovers alike.
Ingredients
Brownies:
- ½ cup melted unsalted butter
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon water
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- ¾ cup all purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¾ cup chocolate chips (milk chocolate preferred)
- ½ cup freeze dried strawberries
- generous ¼ cup strawberry jam or preserves
Strawberry Frosting:
- ½ cup freeze dried strawberries
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1½ cups powdered sugar
- ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon strawberry jam
- 1 tablespoon milk
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch square baking pan with foil or parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy removal of the brownies. Grease the lined pan thoroughly.
- Prepare Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the granulated sugar and melted butter. Stir briefly and let the mixture sit undisturbed for 5 minutes. Then whisk vigorously for 30 seconds until the mixture comes together. Add the eggs, water, and vanilla extract, whisking again for about 30 seconds until well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Sprinkle the cocoa powder, powdered sugar, all-purpose flour, and kosher salt over the wet ingredients. Whisk until fully incorporated. Remove the whisk and gently stir in the chocolate chips and ½ cup freeze dried strawberries.
- Assemble the Brownie Batter: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the surface with a spatula. Drop small spoonfuls of strawberry jam evenly over the batter. Use the tip of a sharp knife to swirl the jam into the brownie batter, working carefully around chocolate chips and strawberries to create a marbled effect.
- Bake the Brownies: Bake for 23 to 27 minutes. The brownies are ready when a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with moist, fudgy crumbs but no raw batter. Remove the pan from the oven and allow it to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Prepare Strawberry Powder: Place ½ cup freeze dried strawberries in a small food processor and blend until they form a fine powder. Sift the powder through a fine mesh sieve to remove any seeds and solids, retaining the fine powder.
- Make the Frosting: Using a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the softened butter until smooth and creamy, scraping the bowl as needed. Gradually add the powdered sugar ½ cup at a time, beating until well combined after each addition. Mix in the strawberry powder, vanilla extract, strawberry jam, and milk. Continue beating on medium speed until the frosting is fluffy and smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more powdered sugar to thicken or more milk to thin as desired.
- Frost the Brownies: Spread the prepared strawberry frosting evenly over the cooled brownies using a spatula. Once frosted, cut into 12 squares and serve.
Notes
- To check doneness, a toothpick should come out with moist crumbs, not dry or wet batter, ensuring fudgy brownies.
- Using freeze dried strawberries both in the batter and frosting intensifies the strawberry flavor without adding moisture.
- Milk chocolate chips balance the tartness of strawberries, but feel free to use semi-sweet if preferred.
- Allow brownies to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting or slipping of the frosting.
- For easier removal, lift brownies out of the pan using the parchment or foil overhang.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 27 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
