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
