Dreamy Valentine Heart Swirl Brownies
These fudgy brownies feature a delightful raspberry swirl and creamy cheesecake topping, perfect for a romantic treat. Shaped into hearts, they're ideal for Valentine's Day.
Equipment
- Small Saucepan
- Sieve
- Electric Mixer
- 8x8 inch baking pan
- Wire Rack
- Heart-shaped cookie cutter
Ingredients
Raspberry Swirl
- 1 cup fresh or thawed raspberries
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cheesecake Topping
- 8 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg at room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Fudgy Brownie Batter
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend)
- 3/4 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder sifted
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 14 tablespoons refined coconut oil or neutral oil (3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons)
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs at room temperature
Instructions
- Craft Your Raspberry Swirl: In a small saucepan, gently simmer the raspberries, 1 tablespoon sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla for 5-8 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. For a silky-smooth finish, press it through a sieve to remove any seeds. Set aside to cool.
- Whip Up the Cheesecake Topping: With an electric mixer, beat the room-temperature cream cheese with 1/3 cup sugar until wonderfully smooth. Stir in the egg and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla just until everything is combined and creamy – avoid overmixing!
- Prepare the Fudgy Brownie Batter: In one bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. In a separate, larger bowl, combine the oil, 1 1/2 cups sugar, and 1 tablespoon vanilla. Beat in the eggs one at a time until the mixture is glossy. Now, gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring only until no streaks of flour remain – this keeps your brownies perfectly fudgy!
- Assemble and Swirl Your Masterpiece: Pour the brownie batter evenly into your parchment-lined 8x8 inch baking pan. Carefully spoon the creamy cheesecake mixture over the brownie layer. Next, add small dollops of your prepared raspberry sauce on top of the cheesecake. Take a knife or skewer and gently swirl through the layers to create beautiful marbled patterns.
- Bake, Chill, and Shape Your Hearts: Bake your brownies in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 30-35 minutes. The center should have a slight jiggle. Let them cool completely on a wire rack, then transfer the pan to the refrigerator for at least 2 hours (or until firm). Once chilled, use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to create your adorable Valentine's brownies!
Notes
These brownies require a minimum of 2 hours chilling time after baking to set properly and allow for neat heart shapes. Enjoy this romantic and easy Valentine's treat!
Nutrition Information:
- Calories: 421 kcal
- Total Carbs: N/A
- Net Carbs: N/A
- Fats: N/A
- Protein: N/A
