Waking up to the smell of chocolate usually means Max is already at the counter with his favorite apron on; and these Heart Shaped Brownies are our absolute favorite way to celebrate a little extra love in the kitchen. We love how the bright red raspberry swirls look against the creamy white cheesecake; making every bite feel like a special party. It is a simple way to turn a standard dessert into a beautiful family memory.
Jump to:
- Why You Will Love This Heart Shaped Brownies
- How To Make Heart Shaped Brownies
- What Pairs Well With Heart Shaped Brownies
- Heart Shaped Brownies Variations
- Equipment
- Storage / Make Ahead / Serving Tips
- Top Tips for Best Heart Shaped Brownies
- Heart Shaped Brownies Frequently Asked Questions
- A Sweet Celebration of Love
- Related
- Heart Shaped Brownies
Why You Will Love This Heart Shaped Brownies
These treats offer the perfect balance of a rich; fudgy chocolate base and a tangy; silky cheesecake topping that everyone adores. They are naturally festive and easy to customize; making them the ultimate showstopper for any Valentine's Day spread or school bake sale.
How To Make Heart Shaped Brownies
This recipe combines a dense; cocoa-rich brownie layer with a marbled cream cheese topping that features a vibrant raspberry twist. By using a heart shaped brownie cutter; you can transform a standard tray of bars into these elegant; professional-looking hearts that Max says taste even better because of their shape.
Heart Shaped Brownies Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter; melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 8 ounces cream cheese; softened
- ¼ cup granulated sugar (for cheesecake layer)
- 1 large egg (for cheesecake layer)
- ¼ cup raspberry puree or seedless jam
Step by Step Method
Prepare the brownie base
- Whisk the melted butter and sugar together until smooth before adding the eggs and vanilla.
Fold in dry ingredients
- Stir in the cocoa and flour gently until the batter is thick and dark.
Spread the first layer
- Pour the chocolate mixture into a lined pan; smoothing the top with a spatula.
Whip the cheesecake topping
- Beat the softened cream cheese with sugar and one egg until it is light and creamy.
Add the raspberry swirls
- Spoon the white cheese mixture over the brownie layer and drop small dots of raspberry puree on top.
Create the marble pattern
- Use a toothpick to gently swirl the red and white layers together for a beautiful finish.
Bake until set
- Bake at 350 degrees for twenty-five minutes until the cheesecake layer is firm to the touch.
Cut into hearts
- Once completely cooled; use a heart shaped brownie cutter to press out individual servings.
MAX’S REACTION
"Mom; they look like real Valentine's! The red swirls are so cool; and I love that we get to eat the chocolate scraps while we cut out the hearts!"
What Pairs Well With Heart Shaped Brownies
I usually serve these with a handful of fresh raspberries to lean into that tart berry flavor. They also pair beautifully with a cold glass of milk or a side of vanilla bean ice cream for a truly decadent dessert experience.
Heart Shaped Brownies Variations
Heart-Shaped Brownie Cake
Instead of small hearts; you can bake the entire batter in a large heart shaped brownie pan for a single; celebratory cake.
No Cutter Heart Brownies
If you need to know how to make heart shaped brownies without a cookie cutter; simply cut squares and trim the top edges into a V-shape with a small knife.
Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies
Substitute the chocolate base with a red velvet cocoa mix to give the entire brownie a deep crimson hue that matches the swirls.
Mini Heart Shaped Cookies Style
You can use the same cheesecake swirl technique on a sugar cookie base to create heart shaped cookies with a tangy twist.
Equipment
- 8x8 inch square baking pan
- Heart shaped brownie cutter
- Hand mixer
- Parchment paper
Mom Tip: Always wipe your cutter between every single heart to keep the edges of the cheesecake layer looking clean and sharp.
Storage / Make Ahead / Serving Tips
Storage Tips That Keep It Fresh
- Keep brownies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days.
- Layer them with parchment paper to prevent the cheesecake tops from sticking.
Make Ahead Strategy
- You can bake the entire tray the night before and let it chill.
- Cutting the hearts while the brownies are cold makes the process much easier.
Reheating Instructions
- These are best served chilled or at room temperature for the best texture.
- Avoid the microwave as it can cause the cheesecake layer to become too soft.
Top Tips for Best Heart Shaped Brownies
The secret to getting that perfect marbled look is to avoid over-swirling; as too much mixing will turn the white cheesecake into a solid pink color instead of distinct stripes. I always make sure my cream cheese is completely at room temperature before starting to ensure there are no lumps in the white layer. Max loves helping with the toothpick part; but I have to watch him closely so he doesn't mix it all the way to the bottom! For the cleanest heart shapes; make sure the brownies have spent at least two hours in the fridge before you start cutting.
Heart Shaped Brownies Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a boxed brownie mix?
Yes; you can use a boxed mix for the base and just add the homemade cheesecake swirl on top.
What if I don't have a heart cutter?
You can draw a heart on parchment paper; cut it out; and use it as a stencil with a sharp paring knife.
Can I use frozen raspberries?
Thaw and strain them first to remove excess water so the puree doesn't make the cheesecake layer soggy.
A Sweet Celebration of Love
Spending time in the kitchen with Max is always the highlight of my day; especially when we get to share these pretty treats with friends. If you enjoyed this creamy chocolate combo; you really must try our rich Espresso Cheesecake or these delicate Mini Blackberry Mousse Cakes. For your next big occasion; our Chocolate Raspberry Cake is another family favorite that never fails to impress!
Share your Heart Shaped Brownies! Tag us @HannahCooking with #HeartShapedBrownies; we’re dying to see your version and hear about your homemade kitchen stories!
⭐️ Rate this Heart Shaped Brownies recipe and let us know what twists or ingredients you used!
Related
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- Blueberry Infused Water5 Minutes
- Vanilla Mousse Cups2 Hours 15 Minutes
- Charred Shrimp and Avocado Bowl20 Minutes
Heart Shaped Brownies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Whisk the melted butter and 1 cup of sugar together until fully combined and smooth.
- Beat in two eggs and vanilla until the mixture looks glossy and well incorporated.
- Stir in the cocoa and flour with a spatula until no dry streaks remain.
- Whip the cream cheese, remaining sugar, and last egg until the texture is light.
- Pour the brownie batter into a lined pan and top with cheesecake and raspberry.
- Swirl the top layers with a toothpick to create a marbled red and white pattern.
- Bake at 350°F for 25 minutes until the center is set and no longer wobbly.
- Press a heart cutter into the cooled brownies to create individual heart shaped servings.
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