Red Velvet Cake’s Little Sibling (Perfect for Kids!).
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Have you ever seen a dessert this bright? It’s not just in appearance; the flavors are bursting with brilliance too! These ruby nuggets are the perfect festive treat for all kinds of holidays, from the Fourth of July to Valentine’s Day. They even work well for birthdays, especially if your birthday boy or girl loves strawberries.
As a fruity twist on the classic fudge, these brownies are fluffy, yummy, and topped with an ooey gooey icing that will leave you licking your lips. You can serve it with homemade whipped cream or this Strawberry Chia Jam. This dessert is definitely something the whole family could enjoy!
Are Strawberry Brownies Healthy?
While at first glance, this recipe might not seem the most wholesome, there are plenty of easy ways to “up” the health factor. For example, did you know that you can replace red food dye with beet juice? This not only creates a gorgeous red color to bring out the strawberries, but it also adds a natural depth of sweetness and heartiness.
For vegan folk, any dairy in this recipe can be replaced with dairy-free options such as oat milk and plant-based butter. The two large eggs can be replaced with egg replacer or 2 tbsp of ground flaxseed mixed with 2 tbsp of water. (Keep in mind: this will change the overall texture of the brownie, but offers similar binding properties.)
For gluten-free peeps, the best non-wheat replacement I’ve found is cassava flour. Any GF flour mix with xanthan gum is also an easy find.
Make it a Brownie Bar…
While these strawberry brownies go great on their own, they can also be part of a whole spread! For starters, you could try a Neapolitan-style bar with the complements of classic chocolate brownies and vanilla blondies. If it’s the Fourth of July you’re celebrating, these “reddies” can be accompanied by white lemon blondies and blue star brownies (with blueberries). For a romantic Valentine’s Day treat, make a luscious chocolate frosting to go on top.
As always, I recommend playing with the possibilities and have fun! This is just the beginning of a daring and delicious dessert bar for any holiday occasion…
INGREDIENTS
- 1 1/2 cups freeze-dried strawberries
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 8 oz white chocolate chopped
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk or more as needed
- 2 drops of red food coloring
INSTRUCTIONS
Prep
Ready the oven and pan; grind strawberries.
Combine
Melt chocolate with butter, mix with wet ingredients, then fold in dry ingredients.
Bake & Ice
Bake, cool, ice, and cut into squares.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
Good news! Strawberry brownies can be stored in freezer-safe bags in the freezer for up to 3 months. So if you’re planning ahead for a holiday season, these have got you covered. When it’s time to reheat, let them thaw in the fridge overnight and bake in an oven-safe dish at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes, or until they start to glisten.
In the fridge, they will last for up to a week, which is still plenty of time. Overall, I recommend storing these at room temperature in an airtight container for best results, in which they’ll last for 3-5 days.
For a crackly brownie top and fluffy interior, consider whisking the eggs extra. This pumps them full of air and makes the ultimate texture extra enjoyable. It also helps to use room-temperature eggs instead of cold ones.
One of the only differences between this recipe and a classic red velvet cake is cocoa powder. So, if you’re looking for an elevated flavor profile, consider adding 1/4 to 1/2 cup of cocoa powder to the dry ingredients and enjoy the chocolatey goodness of a childhood classic.
Serving Suggestions
What goes best with brownies? A tall glass of Vanilla Milkshake, bringing together many classic childhood flavors and food styles.
You could also try serving them with a side of Chocolate Pomegranate Ice Cream, a healthy and vibrant alternative to store-bought pints. Here’s a delectable dessert you and the whole family can enjoy together!
Strawberry Brownies
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups freeze-dried strawberries
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 8 oz white chocolate chopped
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk or more as needed
- 2 drops red food coloring
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, greasing any exposed sides.
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Grind the freeze-dried strawberries to a fine powder using a food processor or coffee grinder, until you have about 1/2 cup. Refrigerate to prevent clumping.
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In a large bowl, melt the butter and white chocolate together in the microwave in 30-second intervals or use a double boiler, stirring until smooth.
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Whisk in the milk, granulated sugar, salt, and vanilla extract into the melted chocolate mixture until well combined. Then, whisk in the eggs. Add the red food coloring.
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Reserve 1 tablespoon of the strawberry powder for the icing. Fold the remaining strawberry powder and flour into the batter until just combined.
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Transfer the batter to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly, and bake for 25-30 minutes until the edges are lightly browned and the center is set.
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Allow the brownies to cool for 5 minutes in the dish, then lift them out using the parchment paper and let them cool completely on a wire rack.
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Prepare the icing by mixing powdered sugar, milk, and the reserved strawberry powder to a thick but spreadable consistency, adjusting milk as needed.
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Spread the icing over the cooled brownies and, if desired, sprinkle with additional crushed freeze-dried strawberries.
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Once the icing has set, cut the brownies into 16 squares and serve.
Nutrition
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