These heart-shaped brownies are perfect for showing love! Fudgy, rich, and oh-so-chocolatey, they are cut into sweet hearts that make any day brighter.
Who can resist a brownie in a heart shape? They are great for sharing or keeping all to yourself—no judgment here! ❤️ I love serving these warm with a scoop of ice cream on top!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Butter: Unsalted butter gives the brownies a rich flavor. If you’re aiming for lower fat, try using unsweetened applesauce in a 1:1 ratio as a substitute, but the texture will be slightly different.
Chocolate: Bittersweet or semisweet chocolate provides deep chocolate flavor. If you don’t have chocolate, you can replace it with cocoa powder. Use 1/3 cup of cocoa powder mixed with 1 tablespoon of oil for every ounce of chocolate.
Cream Cheese: This adds a tangy creaminess. For a lighter option, use Greek yogurt or cottage cheese blended until smooth. It won’t be as rich but will still work well!
Raspberry Jam: Seedless jam is preferred for a smooth swirl. If you can’t find it, make your own simple raspberry sauce by cooking fresh or frozen raspberries with sugar until thickened.
How Do I Swirl the Cream Cheese and Raspberry for a Beautiful Finish?
Swirling might seem tricky, but it’s all about gentle movements. After adding cream cheese and jam dollops on top of the brownie batter, grab a toothpick or skewer. Here’s how:
- Insert the toothpick into the cream cheese and jam, pulling slightly to mix it with the brownie batter without fully blending it in.
- Make gentle figure-eight motions or circles to create beautiful marbling.
- Avoid stirring too much, as you want to maintain distinct swirls of cream cheese and jam.
This simple technique adds an attractive finish and ensures that every bite is delicious!
How to Make Heart-shaped Raspberry Swirl Brownies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Brownies:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 8 oz bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the Cream Cheese Swirl:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Raspberry Swirl:
- 1/2 cup raspberry jam (seedless preferred)
- 1 tablespoon water (optional, to loosen jam)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful recipe will take approximately 15-20 minutes to prepare, plus an additional 30-35 minutes to bake. You’ll want to let the brownies cool completely before cutting them out, so allow extra time for that as well. Overall, you’re looking at about 1 hour to make these charming heart-shaped treats!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Take a 9×9 inch square baking pan and line it with parchment paper, making sure to leave some overhang on the sides. This will help you lift the brownies out easily later.
2. Make the Brownie Batter:
In a microwave-safe bowl or a double boiler, melt the butter and chopped chocolate together until they are smooth. Allow the mixture to cool slightly before proceeding.
3. Combine the Sugars, Eggs, and Vanilla:
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture looks smooth and pale. Gradually whisk in the melted chocolate and butter mixture until well combined.
4. Add the Dry Ingredients:
In another bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Gently fold this dry mixture into the wet chocolate mixture until everything is just combined. Be cautious not to overmix!
5. Prepare the Cream Cheese Swirl:
In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla until you have a smooth and creamy mixture.
6. Prepare the Raspberry Jam:
If your raspberry jam is too thick, you can warm it slightly with a tablespoon of water to make it easier to swirl.
7. Assemble the Brownies:
Spread your brownie batter evenly into the prepared pan. Next, drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture randomly over the brownie batter.
8. Add the Raspberry Swirl:
Dot the top of the cream cheese layer with dollops of raspberry jam. The more, the merrier!
9. Create the Swirls:
Using a skewer or toothpick, gently swirl the cream cheese and raspberry jam into the brownie batter to create a marbled effect. Aim for a pretty design without mixing it too much.
10. Bake the Brownies:
Place the pan in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the brownies are set but still fudgy in the center. A toothpick inserted should come out with moist crumbs.
11. Cool and Cut Out Hearts:
Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, you can carefully lift them out using the parchment overhang and use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut them into adorable heart shapes.
12. Serve and Enjoy:
These delightful heart-shaped brownies are delicious on their own, but feel free to dress them up with fresh raspberries or a dollop of whipped cream. Enjoy your beautiful and tasty creation!
Can I Use Different Types of Chocolate?
Absolutely! While bittersweet or semisweet chocolate is recommended for a rich flavor, you can use milk chocolate for a sweeter taste or dark chocolate for a more intense flavor. Just be mindful of the sweetness in your brownie batter!
Can I Substitute the Raspberry Jam?
Yes! If you don’t have raspberry jam on hand, you can use any other fruit jam or preserves you like. Strawberry or cherry jam would work beautifully too! Alternatively, you can make a homemade raspberry sauce by cooking down fresh or frozen raspberries with a bit of sugar until thickened.
How to Store Leftover Brownies?
Store any leftover brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want them to last longer, you can refrigerate them for up to a week or freeze them for up to 3 months. Just be sure to wrap them well before freezing!
Can I Make These Brownies Gluten-Free?
Yes! You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Just check the label to ensure it’s suitable for baking, as different blends can vary in texture and absorption.
