If you’re looking for a dessert that’s both adorable and absolutely delicious, let me introduce you to the ***Heart-Shaped Brownie Sandwiches with Strawberry Cream Recipe***. I absolutely love how these turn out—rich, fudgy brownies filled with a light and fluffy strawberry cream that feels like a tender little love note on your plate. Whether you’re treating yourself or impressing friends, you’ll find this recipe hits all the right sweet spots without being complicated at all.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect Balance: The fudgy brownie and light strawberry cream complement each other beautifully, making every bite feel like a treat.
- Cute and Customizable: The heart shapes add a special touch, but you can easily switch to any shape you like for any occasion.
- Simple Ingredients: Almost everything is probably in your pantry, so no complicated shopping trips needed.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prepare the brownies and cream ahead, making these easy to pull together when you need a sweet delight fast.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of the ***Heart-Shaped Brownie Sandwiches with Strawberry Cream Recipe*** lies in its simple yet quality ingredients. Each plays a specific role to create that rich, melt-in-your-mouth brownie paired with a fresh, creamy strawberry filling. When you shop, try to pick good-quality chocolate and fresh strawberries for the best flavor.
- Unsalted butter: Using unsalted lets you control the saltiness perfectly in your brownies.
- Semi-sweet chocolate: Goes into the batter melted for rich flavor—chop it finely for even melting.
- Sugar: Sweetens the brownies but also helps create that fudgy texture.
- Eggs: The binding agent that also adds richness; room temperature eggs work best.
- Vanilla extract: Brings warmth and depth to the brownies.
- Salt: Just a pinch to balance flavors.
- All-purpose flour: Provides structure—measure carefully for the right texture.
- Cream cheese: Softened to blend easily into the strawberry cream for a tangy richness.
- Powdered sugar: Gives a smooth sweetness to the cream without graininess.
- Pureed strawberries: Fresh or frozen, pureed to infuse bright natural flavor into the cream.
- Heavy cream: Whipped to soft peaks, folded into the cream cheese mixture to make it fluffy and light.
Variations
I love how versatile this ***Heart-Shaped Brownie Sandwiches with Strawberry Cream Recipe*** can be. Feel free to tweak the filling or try out different shapes for different occasions—you’ll find that making it your own is half the fun!
- Flavor twist: I sometimes add a touch of lemon zest to the strawberry cream for extra brightness—it really elevates the flavor.
- Dairy-free version: I’ve swapped cream cheese and heavy cream with coconut cream and vegan cream cheese, and trust me, it’s just as dreamy.
- Holiday edition: Replace strawberries with raspberry or blueberry puree for festive colors and fruity variety.
- Shape swap: While I adore the heart shape for Valentine’s or anniversaries, using stars or circles can make these perfect for birthdays or casual get-togethers.
How to Make Heart-Shaped Brownie Sandwiches with Strawberry Cream Recipe
Step 1: Melt Butter and Chocolate
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (180°C) and lining a 9×9 inch pan with parchment paper for easy cleanup. Then, gently melt the butter and chopped semi-sweet chocolate together in a saucepan over low heat. Stir often so nothing sticks or burns—this slow melting creates a luscious base for your brownies.
Step 2: Mix in Sugar and Eggs
Once silky smooth, remove the pan from heat. Stir in the sugar well—this step is key to getting that fudgy texture. Then whisk in the eggs, vanilla extract, and just a pinch of salt until everything feels like a smooth chocolatey dream. If you like, beating the eggs first can make the batter silkier, but I usually mix them in directly and it still turns out amazing.
Step 3: Add the Flour and Bake
Now, gently fold the flour into the batter, just until combined—you don’t want to overmix and toughen your brownies. Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread it evenly in a thin layer, which makes for perfect sandwich thickness after cutting. Bake for about 20 minutes; keep an eye for a slight jiggle in the center—it’ll firm up as it cools. Let it cool completely before moving to the next step.
Step 4: Prepare the Strawberry Cream
While the brownies cool, make your strawberry cream filling. Beat the softened cream cheese together with powdered sugar until smooth. Then, stir in the pureed strawberries. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until it forms soft peaks—don’t overwhip or it’ll get grainy. Fold the whipped cream gently into the cream cheese mixture to create a fluffy, airy filling. Pop it in the fridge to keep it chilled.
Step 5: Cut, Fill, and Assemble
Using a heart-shaped cookie cutter (about 1¾ to 2 inches wide works beautifully), press into the cooled brownie layer to cut out as many hearts as you can. Don’t worry about leftover scraps—they make a perfect snack while you work! Fill a piping bag with the strawberry cream and pipe a generous amount onto half of the hearts. Top each with another heart to form little sandwich treats. Pop them in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.
Step 6: Final Touch and Enjoy
Just before serving, dust the tops with powdered sugar for that dreamy finish. I love how this little detail makes these brownies look extra festive and irresistible. Then dig in and enjoy the perfect combination of brownie richness and fresh strawberry cream!
Pro Tips for Making Heart-Shaped Brownie Sandwiches with Strawberry Cream Recipe
- Cool Completely: I always wait until brownies are fully cool before cutting to avoid crumbling and keep perfect shapes.
- Softened Cream Cheese: Let cream cheese sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes for easy blending and smooth cream.
- Gentle Folding: When incorporating whipped cream, fold gently to keep your strawberry cream light and airy.
- Use Parchment Paper: Lining your baking pan helps release brownies easily and keeps them intact for cutting shapes.
How to Serve Heart-Shaped Brownie Sandwiches with Strawberry Cream Recipe
Garnishes
I love to keep things simple with a light dusting of powdered sugar, but sometimes I add a fresh strawberry slice on top of each sandwich just before serving—it adds a pop of color and an extra burst of freshness that always wows guests.
Side Dishes
These sandwiches pair beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream if you want to turn it into a fancier dessert. For a tea time treat, I like serving them with a cup of chamomile or green tea to balance the richness.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions like anniversaries or Valentine’s Day, I arrange the sandwiches on a platter in a big heart shape. I’ve also tried layering them on a tiered dessert stand with small edible flowers scattered around—it makes your dessert table look effortlessly elegant and inviting.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your assembled brownie sandwiches in an airtight container in the fridge—they stay fresh and delicious for up to 3 days. My family actually enjoys them chilled best, as the strawberry cream firms up beautifully and tastes like a little frozen dream.
Freezing
If you want to freeze leftovers, I recommend freezing the brownie hearts and the strawberry cream separately. Wrap the brownie hearts well in plastic wrap and freeze in a sealed container. You can whip up the cream fresh after thawing the brownies for the best texture.
Reheating
I usually don’t reheat the sandwich once assembled, but if you want a warm brownie, gently microwave a brownie heart for about 10 seconds before adding the chilled cream and assembling. It’s a little trick I discovered that keeps the cream fresh and the brownie just warm enough.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh for the strawberry cream?
Absolutely! Frozen strawberries work well but make sure to thaw and drain any excess liquid before pureeing so your strawberry cream doesn’t get too runny.
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What if I don’t have a heart-shaped cookie cutter?
No worries at all—you can use any cookie cutter shape, like stars or circles, or even just cut squares with a knife. The flavor is what truly shines here, and the shape is just a fun extra touch.
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Can I make the strawberry cream ahead of time?
Yes! You can make the cream a few hours in advance and keep it refrigerated. Just give it a gentle stir before piping to refresh the texture.
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Are these brownies gluten-free?
The original recipe uses all-purpose flour, but you can substitute with a gluten-free flour blend to make it gluten-free. Just be sure to use a blend that’s designed for baking to get the best texture.
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How long do the brownie sandwiches keep in the fridge?
They are best enjoyed within 3 days when stored in an airtight container, keeping the cream fresh and the brownies soft.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, I keep coming back to this ***Heart-Shaped Brownie Sandwiches with Strawberry Cream Recipe*** whenever I want to wow family or friends with minimal fuss. It feels like a little piece of love on a plate that’s as easy to make as it is delightful to eat. Give it a try—you might find it quickly becomes one of your favorite go-to sweets for special moments, or just because you deserve it!
Print
Heart-Shaped Brownie Sandwiches with Strawberry Cream Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 7 brownie sandwiches 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these charming Heart-Shaped Brownie Sandwiches filled with a luscious, homemade strawberry mousse. This dessert features tender, fudgy brownies cut into adorable heart shapes and sandwiched with a light, airy strawberry cream made from cream cheese, pureed strawberries, and whipped heavy cream. Perfect for romantic occasions or a sweet treat any time of year.
Ingredients
Brownie Layer
- 3 oz (115 gr) unsalted butter
- 2 oz (60 gr) semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
- 1 cup (200 gr) sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 1/2 cup (65 gr) all-purpose flour
Strawberry Cream
- 1 oz (30 gr) cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup (30 gr) powdered sugar
- 4 tablespoons pureed strawberries
- 1 oz (30 ml) heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a 9×9 inch baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the brownies.
- Melt Butter and Chocolate: In a large saucepan over low heat, gently melt the unsalted butter and semi-sweet chocolate together, stirring until smooth and well combined.
- Add Sugar: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the sugar thoroughly to blend it into the chocolate mixture.
- Incorporate Eggs and Flavorings: Add the eggs one at a time along with the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Whisk the mixture until everything is well incorporated and smooth.
- Add Flour: Sift the all-purpose flour over the chocolate mixture and gently fold it in until just combined, taking care not to overmix.
- Spread Batter and Bake: Pour the brownie batter into the prepared pan and spread it out evenly into a thin layer. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool Brownies: Remove the brownies from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting.
- Prepare Strawberry Cream – Mix Cream Cheese and Sugar: In a medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese with powdered sugar. Mix until smooth and creamy.
- Add Strawberry Puree: Stir in the pureed strawberries until the mixture is well blended and uniform in color.
- Whip Heavy Cream: In a separate clean bowl, whip the heavy cream to soft peaks, which means it holds shape but still has a soft, smooth texture.
- Fold Whipped Cream into Strawberry Mixture: Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese and strawberry mixture until fully incorporated without deflating the cream.
- Cut Brownies into Shapes: Using a cookie cutter, cut the cooled brownies into hearts or your preferred shapes. This recipe yields about 14 hearts (1 3/4 to 2 inches each).
- Fill the Brownie Hearts: Fill a pastry bag with the strawberry cream mixture. Pipe the cream generously onto half of the brownie hearts.
- Assemble Sandwiches: Top the filled brownie hearts with the remaining brownie shapes to form sandwiches, pressing gently to adhere.
- Chill Before Serving: Store the assembled brownie sandwiches in the refrigerator until they are chilled and firm, approximately 30 minutes.
- Serve: Before serving, sprinkle the brownie sandwiches with powdered sugar for a finishing touch and enjoy the delightful combination of fudgy brownie and fresh strawberry mousse.
Notes
- You can substitute fresh strawberries with frozen, thawed, and pureed strawberries if fresh are not available.
- Be careful not to overbake the brownies to maintain a fudgy texture ideal for sandwiching.
- Leftover brownie scraps make a delicious snack or can be crumbled over ice cream.
- Store the assembled sandwiches in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days for best freshness.
- For a dairy-free option, substitute cream cheese and heavy cream with coconut-based alternatives.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich (approximately 2 brownie hearts with mousse)
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 110 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg