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Heart Shaped Brownies
Flona

Heart Shaped Brownies

Rich, fudgy heart shaped brownies with creamy cheesecake topping and a swirl of tangy raspberry sauce. These Valentine's Day brownies combine deep chocolate flavor with elegant fruit and cheese layers for an unforgettable romantic dessert.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Chilling Time 2 hours
Total Time 3 hours
Servings: 9 hearts
Course: Dessert, Valentine's Treat
Cuisine: American
Calories: 421

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar for raspberry sauce
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract for raspberry sauce
  • 8 ounces cream cheese room temperature
  • cup granulated sugar for cheesecake
  • 1 large egg room temperature, for cheesecake
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract for cheesecake
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour or gluten-free blend
  • ¾ cup Dutch-process cocoa powder sifted
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup + 2 tablespoons refined coconut oil or neutral vegetable oil
  • cups granulated sugar for brownie batter
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract for brownie batter
  • 3 large eggs room temperature, for brownie batter

Equipment

  • 8x8 inch square baking pan
  • Parchment paper
  • Small saucepan
  • Fine-mesh strainer
  • Electric mixer or hand mixer
  • Mixing bowls
  • Wire cooling rack
  • Heart-shaped cookie cutter

Method
 

  1. Make raspberry sauce: Combine raspberries, 1 tablespoon sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla in small saucepan over medium heat. Simmer 5-8 minutes until thickened. Strain through fine-mesh strainer to remove seeds. Set aside to cool.
  2. Prepare cheesecake topping: Beat room-temperature cream cheese with ⅓ cup sugar using electric mixer until smooth, about 1 minute. Add 1 egg and ½ teaspoon vanilla, beating on low just until combined. Set aside.
  3. Preheat and prep: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line 8×8-inch square pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on two sides for easy removal.
  4. Mix brownie dry ingredients: In medium bowl, whisk together flour, sifted cocoa powder, and salt. Set aside.
  5. Mix brownie wet ingredients: In large bowl, whisk oil, 1½ cups sugar, and 1 tablespoon vanilla until combined. Add 3 eggs one at a time, whisking vigorously after each until mixture becomes glossy.
  6. Combine brownie batter: Fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients just until no streaks remain. Don't overmix. Batter will be thick and glossy.
  7. Assemble layers: Pour brownie batter into prepared pan and spread evenly. Pour cheesecake mixture over brownie layer and spread gently to edges. Drop spoonfuls of cooled raspberry sauce randomly across surface.
  8. Create swirl: Use butter knife or skewer to swirl raspberry sauce through cheesecake in figure-eight pattern. Don't overswirl or colors will muddy.
  9. Bake: Bake 30-35 minutes until edges are set and center jiggles slightly when gently shaken. Don't overbake. Cool on wire rack 30 minutes.
  10. Chill and cut: Refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight. Lift from pan using parchment overhang. Use heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut shapes, wiping cutter clean between cuts.

Notes

  • Room temperature matters: Cold cream cheese and eggs create lumps. Let sit at counter 1 hour before starting.
  • Don't overbake: Center should jiggle slightly. Brownies continue cooking as they cool.
  • Chill thoroughly: At least 2 hours ensures clean cuts. Overnight is even better.
  • Storage: Refrigerate in airtight container up to 4 days. Freeze wrapped brownies up to 3 months.
  • Cookie cutter tip: Run under hot water and dry between cuts for cleanest releases.