Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal later. This step ensures your delicious Valentine Sweetheart Brownies won't stick.
- In a large heatproof bowl, melt the unsalted butter. You can do this in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, or gently over a double boiler.1 cup unsalted butter
- Once the butter is melted, pour in the granulated sugar and whisk vigorously until well combined and the mixture is smooth. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Finally, stir in the vanilla extract.2 cups granulated sugar, 4 large eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. This ensures that the leavening agent and salt are evenly distributed throughout the batter for consistent results in your Valentine Sweetheart Brownies.1 cup all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed or by hand until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; overmixing can lead to tougher brownies.
- Gently fold in the 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips. If you’re feeling extra indulgent, you can fold in more than one cup for an even more chocolatey experience in your Valentine Sweetheart Brownies.1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly. If you desire a more decadent top, sprinkle a few extra chocolate chips over the batter now. For the signature Valentine's touch, press your Valentine’s Day sprinkles or heart-shaped candies into the top of the batter before baking.1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, Valentine’s Day sprinkles or heart-shaped candies
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs attached, but not wet batter. Keep an eye on them to avoid overbaking, which can result in dry, crumbly Valentine Sweetheart Brownies.
- Let the brownies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting them into squares. This cooling step is crucial for achieving those perfect, fudgy brownie edges and centers. Once cooled, lift them out using the parchment paper overhang and slice into your desired Valentine Sweetheart Brownies shapes.
Notes
Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Refrigerate for longer storage (up to a week). Freeze for 2-3 months.
