Brownies for Valentine’s
These easy Valentine’s Day brownies are a perfect blend of rich, fudgy chocolate and festive M&Ms, making them the ideal treat for your celebration. With simple ingredients and quick steps, this homemade brownie recipe is perfect for a sweet Valentine's dessert. 🍫💕❤️
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Valentine's Day is all about sharing love, and what better way to show affection than with a batch of warm, chewy brownies?
These Valentine’s Day Brownies are the ideal treat for the occasion, filled with rich chocolate flavor and a festive twist of red, pink, and white M&Ms. Whether you're celebrating with a special someone or treating yourself, these brownies will melt hearts with every bite.
Let’s dive into why you'll absolutely love this recipe, how to make it, and a few extra tips for perfecting your Valentine’s Day baking.❤️
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3 Reasons Why You’ll Love This Recipe!
Easy to Make in Just One Bowl: No need to get out a million bowls and utensils for this recipe! You’ll be whisking everything together in just one bowl, making cleanup a breeze. The process is straightforward and quick, which means you’ll have a fresh batch of Valentine’s Day brownies ready in under an hour. This is a perfect option if you're short on time but want to create something that feels special.
Rich, Chewy Texture with a Hint of Festive Fun: These brownies strike the perfect balance between a rich, fudgy interior and a slight chewiness that makes each bite irresistible. The combination of brown sugar and granulated sugar gives them a sweet, caramelized flavor, while the unsweetened cocoa powder ensures that every bite is packed with deep, chocolatey goodness. The Valentine M&Ms add a fun crunch, creating a delightful contrast in texture that makes these brownies extra special. Plus, their red, pink, and white hues make them the ideal treat for a Valentine's celebration.
Customizable to Your Taste: This recipe offers plenty of room for customization. Whether you want to swap out the M&Ms for a different type of candy, add some extra chocolate chips, or even throw in some dried fruit or nuts, this recipe will easily adapt to whatever you have on hand. And the best part? You can top these brownies with your favorite Valentine’s sprinkles, making them uniquely yours. A simple treat, but with endless possibilities for creativity!
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How to Make Brownies for Valentine’s Day
To make these Valentine’s Day Brownies, you won’t need much in terms of equipment. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:
Equipment You’ll Need
8x8-inch metal baking pan (or a similar size square metal pan)
Parchment paper or non-stick spray (for easy removal)
Silicone whisk or silicone spatula (for mixing the batter)
Fine mesh sifter (optional, for sifting dry ingredients)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease an 8x8-inch metal baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a large bowl, using a fine mesh sifter to sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and whisk to combine.
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Add the Wet Ingredients:
Add the melted butter (slightly cooled), eggs, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients.
Note: Make sure the butter is melted but not too hot to avoid cooking the eggs.
Using a silicone spatula, mix everything together until the batter is just combined.
Add the M&Ms:
Gently fold in the Valentine M&Ms and Valentine’s sprinkles.
If you like, save a few to top the brownies for extra color and fun.
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Bake the Brownies:
Pour the brownie batter into your prepared 8x8-inch metal baking pan. Spread it out evenly.
If desired, top with extra M&Ms and holiday sprinkles for a festive touch.
Bake:
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs (not wet batter).
Be careful not to overbake!
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Cool & Serve:
Let the brownies cool in the pan before cutting them into squares. Enjoy the perfect Valentine’s Day treat with milk or a glass of wine!
These Valentine Brownies are rich, chewy, and the M&Ms add a festive crunch. They’re the perfect dessert for a Valentine's Day celebration or as a sweet treat to share with loved ones! 💖
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How to Store Your Valentine’s Brownies
Once you've baked these Valentine’s Day brownies, you'll want to store them properly to maintain their chewy texture and freshness. Here’s how:
Room Temperature: Keep the brownies at room temperature in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh for about 3-4 days.
Freezer: If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze your brownies for up to 3 months. To do this, cut them into squares, wrap each square individually in plastic wrap, and store them in a zip-top freezer bag or airtight container. When you’re ready to enjoy, just let them thaw at room temperature or pop them in the microwave for a few seconds.
How Long Do These Brownies Last?
When stored properly, these Valentine’s Day brownies will last for 3-4 days at room temperature. If you freeze them, you can expect them to last for up to 3 months, so you can make them ahead of time and have them ready to go whenever you need a quick and delicious treat.
Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
While this recipe is perfect as is, feel free to experiment with these substitutions or variations:
Butter Substitute: If you’re out of unsalted butter, you can use salted butter. Just be sure to adjust the salt in the recipe accordingly.
Sugar Options: You can replace the granulated sugar with coconut sugar or honey for a slightly different flavor profile. Keep in mind that these substitutions may affect the texture of the brownies slightly.
Add-ins: Feel free to fold in mini chocolate chips, crushed peppermints, or chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans for added flavor and texture.
M&Ms: If you don’t have Valentine’s M&Ms, regular M&Ms or any other colorful candy will work great. You can also swap them for chocolate chunks or other candies like Reese’s Pieces.
Gluten-Free Version: To make these brownies gluten-free, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
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FAQs About Valentine’s Day Brownies
Q: How do I know when the brownies are done baking?
A: To check for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the brownies. If it comes out with a few moist crumbs (not wet batter), they’re done! Keep in mind that brownies continue to cook in the pan once they’re out of the oven, so it’s important not to overbake them.
Q: Can I make these brownies ahead of time?
A: Yes! These brownies can be made a day or two ahead of time. Simply store them in an airtight container, and they’ll stay fresh until you’re ready to serve them.
Q: Can I use a different pan size?
A: You can, but keep in mind that changing the size of the pan may affect the baking time. If you use a larger pan, the brownies may bake more quickly, so keep an eye on them. A smaller pan will result in thicker brownies, and they may take a bit longer to bake.
Tips & Tricks for Perfect Brownies
Don’t Overmix: When you add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mix until just combined. Overmixing can lead to dense, tough brownies.
Use Room Temperature Eggs: For best results, use eggs that are at room temperature. Cold eggs can cause the butter to seize up, leading to a lumpy batter.
Let the Brownies Cool: Allow the brownies to cool in the pan before cutting them into squares. This helps them set and makes cutting much easier.
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Share the Love!
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this Valentine’s Day brownie recipe! Drop a comment below with your favorite way to enjoy these brownies or any fun twists you’ve added to the recipe.
Don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter for more delicious recipes, baking tips, and seasonal treats straight to your inbox. If you enjoyed this recipe, be sure to share it on social media and tag me so I can see your beautiful brownie creations! 💖
Happy baking and happy Valentine’s Day! -Xoxo Chyna B 🍫💕❤️
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