Killer Strawberry Brownies | Easy, ONE-BOWL recipe - Foodess (2024)

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By Jennifer Pallian BSc, RD

4.86 from 7 votes

Feb 02, 2023, Updated Feb 02, 2024

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An easy strawberry brownie recipe from scratch with a super chewy, rich and fudgy homemade brownie base studded with puddles of dark chocolate, swirled with a strawberry caramel, and topped with sweet bursts of strawberry on top. So much strawberry flavor!

Killer Strawberry Brownies | Easy, ONE-BOWL recipe - Foodess (2)

Table of Contents

  • Why you’ll love this strawberry brownie recipe
  • Strawberry Brownie Ingredients
  • How to make Strawberry Chocolate Brownies
  • What to serve with strawberry brownies
  • How to store homemade strawberry brownies
  • Expert Tips
  • Strawberry Brownies Recipe

Why you’ll love this strawberry brownie recipe

  • I’m not one to mess with an already-perfect chewy brownie. I promise I wouldn’t share these with you if the strawberry additions didn’t make these brownies better, not just cuter.
  • The strawberry brownie recipe is based on a super simple batter prepped in one bowl (in this case, a pot) with a wooden spoon.
  • So many strawberry brownie recipes on Pinterest start with strawberry cake mix (no thank you). Only natural, delicious strawberry flavor here.
  • I didn’t want to add fresh strawberries to the batter itself, because as they sit and soften after a few hours, they make the brownie around them wet and that’s decidedly un-brownie-like.
  • Instead, I decided to amp up the strawberry flavour by swirling strawberry jam on top, and GUESS WHAT. That jam caramelized in the oven making ripples of STRAWBERRY CARAMEL throughout. So good.
Killer Strawberry Brownies | Easy, ONE-BOWL recipe - Foodess (3)

Strawberry Brownie Ingredients

  • Butter. Salted is fine here. Much tastier than using vegetable oil.
  • Cocoa powder (it doesn’t matter if you use dutch or natural, we have no baking soda requiring a chemical reaction. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, don’t worry and please carry on.)
  • Granulated sugar.
  • Salt.
  • Eggs. These are our only leavening agent. Whisk them lots for a crackly brownie top.
  • Vanilla. Always need for flavor balance in a cocoa-based recipe.
  • All-purpose flour.
  • Chopped dark chocolate. I really prefer you buy grocery-store brand dark chocolate in the massive bars and chop them up. They’re much better than chips and still affordable.
  • Strawberry jam. The SECRET. The jam is a je-ne-sais-quoi ingredient, it doesn’t scream I’M JAM (like a jam layer in a chocolate cake does, because jam in cake can be meh). It’s simply a caramelly, chewy swirl with a slight strawberry flavour that keeps people going for one more bite while asking WHAT IS THIS MAGIC?
  • Fresh strawberries, which we are going to slice adorably into hearts (I’m sorry/not sorry).

How to make Strawberry Chocolate Brownies

  • Melt butter in a pot and whisk in the cocoa powder.
Killer Strawberry Brownies | Easy, ONE-BOWL recipe - Foodess (4)
  • Whisk in the sugar, vanilla and eggs. Really whisk it well to ensure that crackle brownie top. You can use a hand mixer if you like.
Killer Strawberry Brownies | Easy, ONE-BOWL recipe - Foodess (5)
  • Scrape batter into parchment-lined square baking pan.
  • The batter is very stiff and difficult to spread out. I run a metal offset spatula under hot water several times during this step so that the batter doesn’t stick and it is more pliable. You can also grease the spatula if you want to make it even easier to spread it into the prepared baking dish.
Killer Strawberry Brownies | Easy, ONE-BOWL recipe - Foodess (6)
  • Slice the berries into heart shapes by first carving a V shape into the top, then slicing the berries lengthwise in the opposite direction. Cute right? Don’t hate me.
Killer Strawberry Brownies | Easy, ONE-BOWL recipe - Foodess (7)
  • Top the brownie batter with jam, swirl it in, then top with chocolate chunks and sliced strawberries.
Killer Strawberry Brownies | Easy, ONE-BOWL recipe - Foodess (8)
  • Top the brownie batter with the strawberry hearts and more chopped dark chocolate.
  • Bake the brownies for about 30 minutes, until the top appears dry, the edges are firm, and the middle is slightly underdone. Let cool in pan 10 minutes.
Killer Strawberry Brownies | Easy, ONE-BOWL recipe - Foodess (9)

What to serve with strawberry brownies

  1. A big scoop of vanilla ice cream.
  2. A dusting of powdered sugar.
  3. A simple vanilla glaze.
  4. Strawberry frosting (to really guild the lily for an event like baby showers.)
  5. Fresh strawberries.
  6. For a white chocolate variation, use white chocolate chips in place of the chopped dark chocolate.

How to store homemade strawberry brownies

Store these delicious, chocolatey bites in an airtight container at room temperature for best results.

The fridge will change the texture because butter and chocolate both harden in cold temperatures.

You can freeze them in airtight ziploc bags for up to 3 months.

Expert Tips

Welcome to the secret society of brownie bosses. Here are your encrypted codes to the ultimate brownie nirvana.

  • Crackly Top Secret: The key to a glossy, crackly top is to whisk your batter vigorously after adding the eggs (before adding the flour!). It’s like a mini arm workout with a delicious payoff!
  • Strawberry Spread Strategy: When swirling in your strawberry jam, remember this is not a mix-in. It’s a marble mission. Aim for pockets of jam that will burst with fruity flavor in every bite.
  • Chocolate Chunks: Reserve a portion of the chocolate chunks to scatter on top for a surprise chocolate burst, because who doesn’t like surprises, especially when they’re chocolate!
  • Don’t Overmix the Batter: Overmixing your brownie batter can lead to brownies that are tough, rather than soft and fudgy or cakey. After adding the flour, mix the ingredients just until they’re combined and no streaks of flour remain.
  • Bake and Wait Game: These brownies may smell heavenly as they bake, but remember, good things come to those who wait. Allow them to cool slightly before diving in for that perfect texture and to avoid them falling apart when you lift them out.
  • Timing Tactics: Don’t be a clock watcher. Instead, be a temperature taker. Aim for an internal temperature of 180°F for perfectly gooey brownies, regardless of what the clock says.
Killer Strawberry Brownies | Easy, ONE-BOWL recipe - Foodess (10)

Killer Strawberry Brownies | Easy, ONE-BOWL recipe - Foodess (11)

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4.86 from 7 votes

Strawberry Brownies

By: Jennifer Pallian BSc, RD

Strawberry brownies with a chewy, fudgy, moist chocolate brownie base, puddles of dark chocolate, a strawberry swirl and fresh strawberries.

Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 16

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup butter (salted or unsalted works) (6 oz)
  • 1 cup + 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder (3.4 oz)
  • 1 ¾ cup + 2 tbsp granulated sugar (13.2 oz)
  • ½ tsp kosher salt
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour (3.4 oz)
  • 1 ¾ cups coarsely chopped chocolate (9 oz) divided use
  • ¼ cup strawberry jam (2.8 oz)
  • 4 medium strawberries sliced

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line an 8×8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper, leaving a 1-inch overhang, or grease well and coat with flour. Set aside.

  • Melt butter in a large saucepan on the stove over medium heat. (Alternatively, melt butter in a large microwave-safe bowl or measuring cup in 30-second intervals on high power.)

  • Remove from heat, add cocoa powder and whisk until smooth. Stir in sugar, salt, eggs and vanilla extract. Whisk vigorously (this ensures a crackly brownie top). Add flour and stir until well combined.

  • Set aside a 1/2 cup of the chopped chocolate and stir the rest into the brownie batter.

  • Spread batter evenly into the prepared pan – you’ll need to work at it, spreading it out with the back of a wooden spoon – the batter is very stiff. Run an offset spatula under hot water and smooth it into the corners.

  • Dollop the jam on top of the brownies and use a skewer or a butter knife to swirl it a little bit into the batter. You want a marble effect, leaving pockets of jam, you don't want to stir it in completely. Scatter reserved chocolate over top.

  • Hull strawberries by making two diagonal downward cuts to form a V shape in the top of each berry (as pictured) then cut lengthwise into thin slices. You’ll have cute heart shapes! Scatter the strawberry slices over the brownies.

  • Bake brownies for 30-40 minutes, until edges are set firm, the brownie surface appears dry (apart from the chocolate chunks), and when you gently press on the centre is still slightly soft. Aim for an internal temperature of 180ºF for gooey brownies.

  • Let cool in pan at least 10 minutes to set before lifting out by parchment overhang to slice into squares.

Video

Notes

How to store: keep these delicious, chocolatey bites in an airtight container at room temperature for best results.

The fridge will change the texture because butter and chocolate both harden in cold temperatures.

Testing doneness: there’s been some debate about the timing for brownie doneness, but I have had them consistently done (confirmed by an instant thermometer) at 30 minutes every time. Taking the temperature is the BEST WAY to know they’re done, as a toothpick might hit a puddle of melted chocolate and make them seem underbaked.

  • Timing will vary depending on your oven, so I’ve given a range, but for best moist, fudgy brownies, start checking at 30 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 323kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 157mg | Potassium: 164mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 37g | Vitamin A: 315IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Tried this recipe? Leave a comment!

Killer Strawberry Brownies | Easy, ONE-BOWL recipe - Foodess (2024)

FAQs

Can I add coffee instead of water to brownie mix? ›

If you already have a favorite brownie recipe, try adding one to two tablespoons of instant espresso in with the wet ingredients. If you're making brownies from a boxed mix, you can substitute brewed coffee for the water, or simply add espresso powder in with the dry ingredients.

What effect does baking soda have on brownies? ›

Adding baking powder or baking soda lifts brownies up and creates a cakier result. But today, we all want a brownie so dense and fudgy that it's basically 1 step up from eating pure chocolate. You'll get a taste of how dense these brownies are when you're mixing up the batter. It's so thick and so fudgy.

How to jazz up boxed brownie mix? ›

Add a teaspoon of instant coffee or espresso powder. Throw in a handful of nuts—pecans, walnuts, macadamia, whatever you have on hand. Scoop in a palmful of dried or frozen fruit. Add an extra splash of the top-shelf vanilla extract, or a dab of vanilla paste, or a dash of vanilla powder, to the batter.

What does adding milk instead of water do to brownies? ›

One change is to use milk or heavy cream instead of water. This change will make brownies more moist and gooey since milk is more fatty and flavorful than water. A second change is to use butter instead of oil. For similar reasons to using milk, butter adds a rich and more decadent quality to the batter.

Can I use butter instead of oil in brownie mix? ›

You can absolutely substitute butter for the vegetable oil. Use the same quantity specified in the directions (for example, if it calls for 1/3 cup of oil, use 5 1/3 tablespoons of butter). Melt it down, then let it cool a bit. You might not ever go back to oil!

Is Duncan Hines or Betty Crocker better for brownie mix? ›

If you like chewy, sticky brownies, I recommend: Betty Crocker Dark Chocolate Brownie Mix. If you like light, less dense brownies with a picture-perfect sugar top that flakes when sliced, I recommend: Duncan Hines Chewy Fudge Brownie Mix.

What can you use instead of oil in Betty Crocker brownie mix? ›

For a subtle upgrade, swap out the called-for vegetable oil with an equivalent amount of melted butter or coconut oil. The results are so incredibly rich and fudgy, they'll fool even the most die-hard of brownie snobs into thinking these are scratch-made.

What happens when you add an extra egg to brownie mix? ›

Want Fudgy Brownies? Add an Extra Egg Yolk! As you may know, eggs not only act as a binding agent in baked goods, but they also add structure, richness, and enhance texture.

What can be added to brownie mix? ›

All the mix-ins

Experiment with pretzels, candy, or even potato chips (trust me, the salty crunch really is so good here) to add an extra boost of flavor and a crunchy texture. For a really fun addition that adds a ton of color, stir some strawberries or blueberries into the batter.

Can I use coffee instead of water in a chocolate cake mix? ›

For example, if the recipe calls for 1 cup of milk or water, you can replace half of that with strong brewed coffee. This will help to enhance the chocolate flavor and add a subtle coffee taste to the cake.

How much coffee to add to brownies reddit? ›

Strong, hot coffee really brings out the chocolate flavor. You could also swirl chocolate ganache into the batter! Or 1 tbsp of instant coffee/espresso should do it!

Does caffeine cook out if you bake with coffee? ›

Just keep in mind that, due to caffeine's structure and high boiling point, it won't “cook out” like alcohol does. So, if you add coffee to your baked goods, they will be caffeinated.

Can I use instant coffee instead of cocoa powder in brownies? ›

Chocolate and coffee are good buddies, tastewise. I often add a teaspoon of espresso powder to brownies. If you swap all the cocoa for instant coffee or espresso powder, you may find the flavor too strong, so I would be judicious the first time you try it.

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