If you are searching for a dessert that combines rich, fudgy texture with a fresh fruity burst, look no further. This Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies: A Decadent Dessert Recipe perfectly marries luscious chocolate brownies with juicy, chocolate-dipped strawberries on top, creating a treat that’s both visually stunning and irresistibly delicious. This dessert brings the best of both worlds — dense, chewy chocolate paired with sweet-tart strawberries coated in silky chocolate — making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for any occasion.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic behind Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies: A Decadent Dessert Recipe lies in its simple, quality ingredients. Each one plays a key role in delivering the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and richness that defines this dessert.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup or 2 sticks): Brings moistness and a rich, creamy base to the brownies.
- Granulated sugar (2 cups): Sweetens the batter perfectly while helping create a tender crumb.
- Large eggs (4): Bind everything together and add structure for chewy brownies.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances the chocolate’s natural flavor with a warm, aromatic note.
- All-purpose flour (1 cup): The backbone that holds the brownies’ fudgy texture.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder (1 cup): Delivers intense chocolate flavor and deep color.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Balances sweetness and highlights chocolate nuances.
- Baking powder (1/2 teaspoon): Adds a slight lift to keep brownies from being too dense.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips (1 cup): Melt into pockets of gooey chocolate within each bite.
- Fresh strawberries, 1 pound, hulled and dried: Provide a fresh, juicy contrast topped with chocolate.
- Semi-sweet chocolate (8 ounces), for dipping: Used to coat strawberries with a smooth, glossy finish.
- Coconut oil (1 tablespoon, optional): Ensures melted chocolate stays silky and easy to dip.
How to Make Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies: A Decadent Dessert Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Getting the temperature right ensures an even bake, which is essential for perfect brownies. Meanwhile, melt the butter gently over low heat, stirring often so it doesn’t burn, then set it aside to cool slightly. Having everything ready keeps the process smooth and stress-free.
Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk the melted butter together with the granulated sugar until thoroughly blended. Then, add the eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition to achieve a velvety batter. Finally, stir in the vanilla extract for that subtle yet indispensable depth of flavor.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder. Sifting removes lumps and allows these components to mix uniformly, ensuring the perfect texture for your brownies.
Step 4: Blend Wet and Dry Components
Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently just until combined. Overmixing can lead to tough brownies, so keep it delicate. Then fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips for luscious pockets of melty chocolate throughout the batter.
Step 5: Bake the Brownies
Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Pour the batter evenly into the pan, then bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Use a toothpick inserted into the center to check doneness; it should come out with a few moist crumbs clinging, promising fudgy brownies.
Step 6: Cool and Prepare the Strawberries
Let the brownies cool in the pan on a wire rack for 15 to 20 minutes, then carefully lift them out using the parchment paper and cool completely—this prevents the strawberries from melting the chocolate later. While the brownies cool, ensure your fresh strawberries are well dried to help the chocolate coating stick perfectly without sliding off.
Step 7: Dip Strawberries in Chocolate
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the semi-sweet chocolate with coconut oil (if using) and melt in 30-second intervals, stirring between sessions until smooth. Dip each strawberry into the melted chocolate, letting excess drip away before placing them on parchment paper. Chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes until the chocolate sets.
Step 8: Assemble Your Dessert
Once everything is cool, cut the brownies into squares about 2 inches wide. Top each brownie square with one beautifully dipped chocolate-covered strawberry. If you like, drizzle extra melted chocolate over the strawberries for an elegant, finishing touch. Arrange on your favorite serving platter and get ready to impress!
How to Serve Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies: A Decadent Dessert Recipe
Garnishes
Adding extra touches like a light dusting of powdered sugar, crushed pistachios, or edible gold leaf can elevate the presentation and add layers of flavor and texture to your Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies: A Decadent Dessert Recipe. Fresh mint leaves also bring a pop of color and a refreshing aroma that pairs beautifully with chocolate and berries.
Side Dishes
For a truly indulgent experience, serve these brownies alongside vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream. A small glass of cold milk or a rich coffee makes a lovely companion to balance the intense chocolate and fruity notes.
Creative Ways to Present
Consider arranging the brownies in a tiered stand for a party or slicing them into bite-sized pieces for an elegant dessert buffet. Wrapping individual squares in decorative parchment and tying with ribbon makes for a charming gift or party favor that anyone would be delighted to receive.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you prefer a chilled treat, refrigeration will extend freshness up to 5 days, just be sure the strawberries and chocolate remain intact without condensation forming.
Freezing
You can freeze the brownie base (without strawberries) for up to 3 months. Once you’re ready to indulge, thaw at room temperature, then dip fresh strawberries and assemble just before serving to maintain freshness and texture.
Reheating
Warm brownies gently in a microwave for 10 to 15 seconds if desired, but avoid reheating the strawberries to keep the chocolate coating firm and the fruit fresh. This way, you enjoy the perfect balance of textures in every bite.
FAQs
Can I use frozen strawberries for this recipe?
Fresh strawberries are best for dipping because frozen ones tend to release moisture that can make the chocolate coating soggy, so for Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies: A Decadent Dessert Recipe, fresh is the way to go.
What if I don’t have coconut oil for melting chocolate?
Coconut oil helps create a smooth, shiny chocolate dip, but you can melt the chocolate alone if preferred. Just stir carefully to avoid overheating or burning.
Can I use dark chocolate instead of semi-sweet?
Absolutely! You can customize the level of sweetness with dark chocolate if you prefer a more intense chocolate flavor on your strawberries and within the brownies.
Is it possible to make these brownies gluten-free?
Yes, swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free baking mix that measures cup-for-cup for flour. It will slightly alter texture but still work wonderfully.
How do I prevent strawberries from melting the chocolate?
Ensuring strawberries are completely dry before dipping and serving the assembled dessert chilled helps maintain a firm chocolate shell that won’t melt easily.
Final Thoughts
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies: A Decadent Dessert Recipe is more than just a treat, it’s a celebration of two amazing flavors that complement each other perfectly. Whether for a special occasion or a cozy night in, this recipe promises happiness in every bite. Trust me, once you make these, they’ll quickly become a beloved favorite in your dessert rotation. Go ahead and give it a try — your taste buds will thank you!
Print
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies: A Decadent Dessert Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Indulge in these Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies, a decadent dessert combining rich, fudgy brownies with luscious chocolate-covered strawberries for a delightful treat perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Brownie Base
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Chocolate Covered Strawberries
- 1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled and dried
- 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, for dipping
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil (optional, for smooth melting)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the brownies.
- Melt Butter: In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt the butter, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter and granulated sugar. Whisk until well blended. Add eggs one at a time, whisking thoroughly after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder.
- Combine Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing.
- Add Chocolate Chips: Fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly throughout the batter.
- Prepare Baking Pan: Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Pour Batter: Pour the brownie batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly for uniform baking.
- Bake Brownies: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes. Test doneness with a toothpick inserted in the center; it should come out with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool Brownies: Let the brownies cool in the pan on a wire rack for 15-20 minutes. Then, lift them out using the parchment paper and allow them to cool completely.
- Melt Chocolate for Dipping: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the semi-sweet chocolate and coconut oil (if using). Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth and fully melted.
- Prepare Strawberries: Ensure the strawberries are completely dry to help the chocolate adhere properly.
- Dip Strawberries: Dip each strawberry into the melted chocolate, allowing excess chocolate to drip off before placing on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Set Chocolate: Refrigerate the chocolate-covered strawberries for about 30 minutes until the chocolate sets firmly.
- Cut Brownies: Once cool, cut the brownies into approximately 2-inch squares.
- Assemble Dessert: Place one chocolate-covered strawberry on top of each brownie square. Optionally, drizzle extra melted chocolate over the strawberries for added elegance.
- Serve: Arrange the finished brownies on a serving platter and enjoy your luxurious dessert.
Notes
- Ensure strawberries are completely dry before dipping to prevent chocolate from slipping off.
- Use parchment paper in the baking pan for easy removal of brownies.
- Coconut oil helps achieve a smoother, glossier chocolate coating but is optional.
- Store assembled brownies in the refrigerator to keep the chocolate set until serving.
- For a stronger chocolate flavor, use high-quality semi-sweet chocolate.
