I Heart Brownies! Sweet Treats for Valentine’s Day

My mom loves to spoil family and friends with home cooked meals and baked goods. She is the best cook and baker I know, and I don’t just say that because she’s my mom! With February 14 just 14 days away, I thought I’d share her quick and easy recipe for heart-shaped brownies topped with strawberry icing and drizzled with Ghirardelli chocolate. These brownies are so yummy, and the juice from the strawberries gives the icing a nice flavor and pink color without the use of food coloring. You can’t go wrong with these decadent delights!

Marilee’s Valentine’s Day Heart-Shaped Brownie Recipe

Brownie Ingredients

• 1 box brownie mix (9 X 13 pan size; mom prefers Duncan Hines brand)
• Ingredients listed on the brownie mix box

Icing Ingredients

• 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
• 3 Tablespoons heavy cream
• 2 Tablespoons juice, drained from a thawed container of frozen strawberries with juice
• 4 squares of a Ghirardelli semi-sweet chocolate baking bar

Directions

1. Prepare the brownie batter following the directions on mix box.
2. Spread the batter into a jelly roll pan (looks like a cookie sheet and has a 1″ rim; size is 10.5″ X 15.5″) that has been greased or sprayed with Pam.
3. Bake for 25 minutes.
4. After cooling completely, cut the brownies into heart shapes with a metal cookie cutter.
5. To make the icing, stir together the powdered sugar, heavy cream, and strawberry juice. Ice the brownies.
6. After the icing has set completely, melt the Ghirardelli chocolate squares and then drizzle on top of the icing using a knife. Let the chocolate cool and set completely.

Mom then packages each brownie in food safe treat bags I make, to give as Valentines! I listed these treat bags in the shop in 2018 and also made a set for her last year.

Do you have a favorite recipe you like to make for Valentine’s Day? Let me know in the comments below!