Description
Delight in these soft, fudgy Red Velvet Brownie Hearts—a perfect Valentine’s Day treat featuring a rich red velvet brownie base swirled with creamy vanilla cream cheese. Baked to perfection, these heart-shaped brownies combine a tender crumb with a subtle cocoa flavor and a tangy cream cheese swirl for an irresistible dessert that’s ideal for sharing with loved ones.
Ingredients
Scale
Brownie Batter
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp red food coloring
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 tsp white vinegar
Cream Cheese Swirl
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal, or use heart-shaped silicone molds for individual brownie portions.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter and granulated sugar, stirring until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract and red food coloring until evenly incorporated.
- Combine Dry Ingredients and Mix Batter: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with buttermilk, mixing just until combined. Finally, add vinegar and stir to incorporate.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Swirl: In a small bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. For the swirl effect, spoon dollops of the cream cheese mixture over the brownie batter, and gently swirl with a knife or toothpick.
- Bake the Brownies: Pour the prepared brownie batter into the lined or greased pan or molds. Smooth the top evenly with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
- Cool and Shape: Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out individual heart-shaped brownies.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve these indulgently soft Red Velvet Brownie Hearts as a special treat or gift, perfect for Valentine’s Day or any loved-ones celebration.
Notes
- Use heart-shaped silicone molds to skip the cutting step and bake directly in heart shapes.
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened to make swirling easier and ensure a smooth texture.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the brownies tender and fudgy.
- For an extra festive touch, sprinkle edible glitter or red sugar on top before baking.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
