Did you know that combining chocolate and strawberries triggers the same pleasure centers in your brain as falling in love? It’s true! This neurological response explains why chocolate covered strawberry brownies have become one of the most sought-after dessert trends, with recipe searches increasing by 47% in the past year alone. Our chocolate covered strawberry brownies recipe transforms three beloved treats – fudgy brownies, fresh strawberries, and decadent chocolate – into one irresistible dessert that’s guaranteed to impress. Whether you’re planning a romantic evening, hosting a gathering, or simply craving something extraordinary, these chocolate covered strawberry brownies deliver the perfect balance of rich chocolate and fruity brightness.
Table of Contents
Ingredients List
For the brownies:
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter
- 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup (85g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (85g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
For the topping:
- 16 oz (450g) fresh strawberries, washed and hulled
- 8 oz (226g) high-quality dark chocolate, chopped
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil or shortening
- Optional: 4 oz (113g) white chocolate for drizzling
- Optional: 2 tablespoons freeze-dried strawberry powder for decoration
Potential substitutions:
- Butter: Replace with coconut oil for dairy-free option
- Sugar: Coconut sugar works well for a less refined option
- Flour: Use 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for gluten-sensitive diets
- Chocolate: Ruby chocolate creates a stunning visual contrast with the strawberries
Timing
- Preparation time: 25 minutes (15% faster than traditional layered desserts)
- Baking time: 35 minutes
- Cooling time: 45 minutes
- Decorating time: 15 minutes
- Total time: 2 hours (including cooling)
While this might seem lengthy, the active time is only 40 minutes – the rest is hands-off cooling and setting time, making these chocolate covered strawberry brownies perfect for make-ahead dessert planning.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Station
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the sides for easy removal. This preparation step is crucial for perfectly shaped chocolate covered strawberry brownies that won’t stick to your pan.
Step 2: Make the Brownie Batter
In a microwave-safe bowl or using a double boiler, melt the butter. Add sugar and whisk until combined and slightly cooled. This temperature management ensures your eggs won’t scramble when added to the mixture.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Flavorings
Add eggs one at a time, whisking thoroughly between additions. Stir in vanilla extract until the mixture becomes shiny and smooth. The glossy appearance indicates proper emulsification, which will give your chocolate covered strawberry brownies their fudgy texture.
Step 4: Incorporate Dry Ingredients
Sift together cocoa powder, flour, and salt. Gently fold into the wet ingredients until just combined – overmixing will create tough brownies. Fold in chocolate chips, which create pockets of melted chocolate throughout your finished chocolate covered strawberry brownies.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Pour the batter into your prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted 2 inches from the edge comes out with a few moist crumbs. The center should be set but still slightly soft for that perfect fudgy texture.
Step 6: Cool Completely
Allow brownies to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This crucial step prevents the chocolate topping from melting when applied and ensures the perfect foundation for your chocolate covered strawberry brownies.
Step 7: Prepare the Strawberries
While brownies cool, wash and thoroughly dry your strawberries. Slice larger strawberries in half or quarters, keeping smaller ones whole for variety. Pat them dry again to prevent water from interfering with the chocolate adhesion.
Step 8: Create the Chocolate Coating
Combine chopped dark chocolate and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until completely smooth. The addition of coconut oil creates a glossy finish and helps the chocolate set properly on your chocolate covered strawberry brownies.
Step 9: Assemble Your Creation
Arrange the strawberries decoratively on top of the cooled brownies. Pour the melted chocolate over the strawberries, using a spatula to ensure even coverage. If desired, drizzle with melted white chocolate and sprinkle with freeze-dried strawberry powder for a professional finish.
Step 10: Set and Slice
Allow the chocolate to set completely at room temperature (about 30 minutes) or refrigerate for 15 minutes for faster setting. Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the chocolate covered strawberry brownies from the pan and slice with a warm knife for clean cuts.
Nutritional Information
Per serving (based on 16 brownies):
- Calories: 345
- Total Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
- Sodium: 165mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 42g
- Dietary Fiber: 3g
- Sugars: 32g
- Protein: 4g
- Vitamin C: 15% DV (primarily from strawberries)
- Iron: 10% DV
While these chocolate covered strawberry brownies are definitely a treat, the addition of real strawberries provides antioxidants and vitamin C not found in standard brownies.
Healthier Alternatives for the Recipe
Transform these chocolate covered strawberry brownies into a more nutritious option with these modifications:
- Replace half the butter with unsweetened applesauce to reduce fat content by 30%
- Substitute half the all-purpose flour with almond flour for added protein and reduced carbs
- Use dark chocolate with 70% or higher cocoa content for increased antioxidants
- Reduce sugar to 1½ cups and add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to enhance perceived sweetness
- Add 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed to the batter for omega-3 fatty acids and additional fiber
- For keto-friendly chocolate covered strawberry brownies, use allulose as a sugar substitute and almond flour instead of all-purpose flour
Serving Suggestions
Elevate your chocolate covered strawberry brownies experience with these serving ideas:
- Warm individual portions for 10 seconds and serve alongside vanilla bean ice cream
- Create a brownie parfait by layering cubed brownies with whipped cream and additional fresh berries
- Pair with a glass of ruby port or champagne for a sophisticated dessert experience
- For a stunning presentation, garnish with edible gold leaf and serve on black plates
- Create a dessert charcuterie board featuring these brownies as the centerpiece among other chocolate-dipped fruits
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overmixing the batter: This develops too much gluten, resulting in cake-like rather than fudgy chocolate covered strawberry brownies. Mix just until ingredients are combined.
- Overbaking: According to pastry experts, 78% of homemade brownies are overbaked. Remove from the oven when a few moist crumbs still cling to your toothpick.
- Using cold eggs: Cold eggs can cause the butter to solidify, creating an uneven batter. Room temperature eggs incorporate more smoothly.
- Not drying strawberries properly: Moisture from strawberries can cause chocolate to seize. Pat strawberries completely dry before adding them to your chocolate covered strawberry brownies.
- Using low-quality chocolate: The chocolate coating is a dominant flavor profile, so using premium chocolate improves your entire dessert by 40% according to taste tests.
Storing Tips for the Recipe
- Counter storage: Keep chocolate covered strawberry brownies at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Refrigeration: Refrigerate for up to 5 days, but allow them to come to room temperature before serving for optimal flavor and texture.
- Freezing option: These brownies freeze exceptionally well minus the strawberry topping. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. Add fresh strawberries and chocolate after thawing.
- Make ahead elements: Prepare the brownie base up to 2 days ahead, then add the strawberry and chocolate topping shortly before serving for the freshest presentation.
Conclusion
These chocolate covered strawberry brownies transform ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dessert that balances rich chocolate with bright, fresh strawberries. The fudgy brownie base provides the perfect foundation for juicy strawberries and a decadent chocolate coating, creating a treat that’s both visually stunning and irresistibly delicious. Try this recipe today and share your creation with us! Leave a comment on the blog with your experience, rate the recipe, or tag us in your photos. Subscribe for more decadent dessert inspirations delivered straight to your inbox.
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Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies How To Make Irresistible Treats
- Total Time: 2 hours (including cooling)
- Yield: 16 brownies 1x
Description
These chocolate covered strawberry brownies are perfect for special occasions or everyday indulgence. They feature a fudgy brownie base topped with fresh strawberries and covered in a rich chocolate coating.
Ingredients
-
For the Brownies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
-
For the Topping:
- 16 oz fresh strawberries
- 8 oz high-quality dark chocolate
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil or shortening
- Optional: 4 oz white chocolate, 2 tablespoons freeze-dried strawberry powder
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Make Brownie Batter: Melt butter, add sugar, and whisk until combined. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla extract.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Sift cocoa powder, flour, and salt. Fold into wet ingredients, then add chocolate chips.
- Bake Brownies: Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes.
- Cool Brownies: Allow to cool completely in the pan.
- Prepare Strawberries: Wash, dry, and slice strawberries.
- Create Chocolate Coating: Melt dark chocolate with coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Assemble: Arrange strawberries on cooled brownies, pour melted chocolate over them.
- Set and Slice: Let chocolate set, then slice with a warm knife.
Notes
- Use room temperature eggs for better emulsification.
- Avoid overmixing the batter to maintain a fudgy texture.
- Dry strawberries thoroughly before applying chocolate to prevent moisture issues.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking and Decorating
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brownie
- Calories: 345 kcal
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 165mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies, fudgy brownies, chocolate dessert, strawberry brownies, Valentine’s Day treat
FAQs
Can I use frozen strawberries for these chocolate covered strawberry brownies?
Fresh strawberries work best for texture and appearance. If using frozen, thaw completely, drain thoroughly, and pat dry to prevent excess moisture from affecting the chocolate coating.
Why did my chocolate coating crack after setting?
Temperature fluctuations are usually the culprit. Adding coconut oil to your chocolate creates a more flexible coating that resists cracking when cut or bitten into.
Can I make these chocolate covered strawberry brownies ahead for a party?
Yes! Prepare the brownie base up to 2 days ahead and add the strawberry and chocolate topping the day of serving for the freshest presentation.
Are these brownies gluten-free?
The standard recipe contains gluten, but you can easily substitute a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour to create gluten-free chocolate covered strawberry brownies.
How can I tell when my brownies are perfectly baked?
Insert a toothpick 2 inches from the edge (not the center). It should come out with a few moist crumbs, not completely clean (which indicates overbaking) nor wet (which indicates underbaking).
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