These Heart Shaped Brownies are a fun twist on a classic treat, perfect for sharing a little love with someone special. Rich, chocolatey, and fudgy brownies get their charming shape with an easy heart cutter, making them more playful and festive than your usual square slice.
I love making these for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or just when I want to surprise my family with something sweet and heartfelt. It’s a simple way to turn a favorite dessert into a memorable moment. Plus, cutting the brownies into hearts gives me a good reason to sneak a few extra bites while baking!
My favorite way to serve these is warm, right out of the pan, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce. The softness of the ice cream with the rich brownie flavor is such a cozy combo. These brownies don’t just taste good—they bring a little smile every time because of their cute shape.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Butter: Melted butter gives brownies their rich and moist texture. You can swap for coconut oil for a dairy-free version, but expect a slight coconut flavor.
Cocoa Powder: Unsweetened cocoa delivers that deep chocolate taste. Dutch-processed cocoa works too but may affect the brownie’s rise slightly.
Flour: All-purpose flour keeps the brownies tender yet sturdy enough to hold their shape. For gluten-free, try a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend.
Colored Candy Melts: These create the colorful hearts inside the brownies. If you can’t find them, white chocolate with a few drops of food coloring works well.
Sprinkles: Heart-shaped sprinkles add a cute touch on top. You can use any small sugar decorations or mini chocolate chips for texture.
How Do You Get Perfectly Fudgy Brownies That Hold Their Shape?
The key to fudgy brownies is not overbaking and gentle mixing. Follow these tips:
- Mix Ingredients Gently: Once you add flour, fold just to combine. Overmixing makes brownies cakey.
- Watch Your Bake Time: Insert a toothpick at 20 minutes. If it has moist crumbs, they’re done. This keeps them soft and fudgy.
- Cool Completely: Let brownies cool fully before cutting or adding candy melts. Warm brownies will crumble or melt the candy instantly.
- Cut with Care: Use a small cookie cutter and press gently to keep edges neat.
- Set Candy Properly: Let the candy harden at room temp or chill briefly for smooth, firm hearts.
Equipment You’ll Need
- 8×8 inch square baking pan – perfect size for brownies and easy to line with parchment for quick removal.
- Mixing bowls – you’ll need at least two to mix wet and dry ingredients separately comfortably.
- Whisk or spoon – helps mix ingredients smoothly without overworking the batter.
- Heart-shaped cookie cutter – essential for making those cute heart cutouts in the brownies.
- Microwave-safe bowl or double boiler – for melting colored white chocolate or candy melts neatly.
- Spatula – to spread the batter evenly and scrape down bowls cleanly.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Swap in peppermint extract instead of vanilla for a cool holiday twist that pairs well with chocolate.
- Add chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans for extra crunch and a nutty flavor contrast.
- Mix in mini chocolate chips to keep little gooey pockets of chocolate in every bite.
- Use white chocolate chips instead of candy melts to fill hearts for a creamier, sweeter surprise.
How to Make Heart Shaped Brownies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Brownie Ingredients:
- ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup (40g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup (65g) all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
For Decoration:
- About ½ cup pink or red colored white chocolate or candy melts
- Pink, red, and white heart-shaped sprinkles or candy decorations
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 10 minutes to prepare, 20-25 minutes to bake, and another 15-20 minutes for cooling and decorating. So, expect around 45-55 minutes from start to finish.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Pan and Batter:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper, leaving some paper hanging over the sides. In a medium bowl, mix the melted butter and sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in vanilla extract.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients and Combine:
In another bowl, sift cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder together. Slowly fold the dry mix into your wet ingredients just until combined—avoid overmixing to keep the brownies fudgy.
3. Bake and Cool:
Pour the batter into your prepared pan, smooth the top, and bake for 20-25 minutes. Check with a toothpick inserted in the center; it should come out with a few moist crumbs. Take the brownies out and let them cool completely.
4. Cut and Decorate:
Once cool, use a small heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut hearts out of the brownies, carefully removing the cut pieces. Melt your pink or red colored white chocolate or candy melts as per package instructions. Spoon or pipe the melted candy into each heart-shaped hole, then sprinkle with your tiny heart decorations immediately so they stick.
5. Set and Serve:
Let the candy harden at room temperature, or chill for about 10-15 minutes in the fridge to speed up setting. After the candy is set, gently remove the brownies from the pan using the parchment paper and cut into squares if needed. Enjoy your festive, heart-shaped brownies!
Can I Use Frozen Brownies to Make This Recipe?
It’s best to start with freshly baked brownies so the candy melts stick properly. If using frozen brownies, thaw them completely in the fridge and bring to room temperature before cutting and decorating.
What Can I Substitute for Candy Melts?
If you can’t find colored candy melts, you can melt white chocolate and add a few drops of food coloring to achieve the desired pink or red shade. Regular chocolate chips won’t work as well for filling the heart shapes.
How Should I Store Leftover Brownies?
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to a week. For best texture, reheat slightly before serving.
Can I Make These Brownies Ahead of Time?
Yes! Bake and cool the brownies up to 2 days in advance. Cut and decorate the hearts just before serving to keep the candy fresh and vibrant.
