If you’re looking to add a bit of extra love and richness to your dessert table, then these Red Velvet Brownie Hearts are here to steal the spotlight. Imagine the fudgy, decadent texture of a brownie but with the irresistible flavor of red velvet, all shaped into adorable little heart forms. It’s the perfect dessert for any occasion, especially if you’re celebrating love or simply want a treat that’s as stunning as it is delicious. Trust me, one bite of these beauties and you’ll be hooked—chocolatey, moist, and slightly tangy with that gorgeous red hue. Let’s get to baking!
Why You’ll Love Red Velvet Brownie Hearts
Decadent Fudgy Texture
These brownies strike that perfect balance between being soft, chewy, and dense. They’re not too cakey but still have that melt-in-your-mouth quality that’s every brownie lover’s dream.
Beautiful & Festive
The deep red color makes these brownies an instant showstopper, and when you cut them into heart shapes, they’re even more charming! Perfect for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or any time you want to make a dessert feel extra special.
Easy to Make
While they look fancy and impressive, these red velvet brownies are surprisingly simple to make. You don’t need any special skills—just mix the ingredients, bake, and cut into hearts! It’s a breeze.
Versatile
While the heart shape is perfect for love-themed occasions, you can also make these brownies in any shape you want. Use any cookie cutter for a fun twist, or even cut them into squares for an easier version.
Ingredients
Butter
Rich, creamy butter is essential for giving these brownies that melt-in-your-mouth texture. It also helps to intensify the flavor.
Sugar
Granulated sugar is what gives these brownies that sweet, satisfying finish that pairs beautifully with the rich cocoa flavor.
Eggs
Eggs bind everything together and provide moisture, helping to create a fudgy, dense texture.
Red Velvet Cake Mix
Here’s where the magic happens! Red velvet cake mix brings both color and flavor to the brownies. It adds that signature tangy flavor and vibrant red hue without the need for a lot of extra ingredients.
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
Adding a bit of cocoa powder deepens the chocolatey flavor, making these brownies rich and indulgent.
Vanilla Extract
A splash of vanilla adds complexity to the flavor profile, making these brownies even more irresistible.
Buttermilk
Buttermilk helps with the signature tangy flavor of red velvet while also keeping the brownies moist and tender.
Baking Powder
Just a little bit of baking powder helps give the brownies a slight lift, but don’t worry—these are still dense and fudgy, just the way brownies should be.
(Note: Full ingredient measurements are provided in the recipe card directly below.)
Instructions
Making Red Velvet Brownie Hearts is easy, and the process is super fun. Follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking pan with parchment paper or grease it lightly with butter to make removing the brownies easy once they’re done baking.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, melt the butter in the microwave or on the stovetop. Once it’s melted, whisk the butter together with the sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth and combined.
Step 3: Add the Red Velvet Cake Mix and Dry Ingredients
To the wet ingredients, add the red velvet cake mix, cocoa powder, and baking powder. Stir everything together until just combined. You’ll notice the batter is thick and rich—just how we want it!
Step 4: Add the Buttermilk
Pour in the buttermilk and mix until the batter becomes smooth and silky. The buttermilk is key to making sure your brownies stay moist and delicious.
Step 5: Bake the Brownies
Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it out evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. You want to avoid overbaking these to keep them fudgy, so be careful not to leave them in too long.
Step 6: Cool and Cut into Hearts
Once baked, remove the brownies from the oven and let them cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely. After they’ve cooled, use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out the brownies.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
Arrange the brownie hearts on a plate or platter, and enjoy the oohs and ahhs as everyone digs in. You can even dust them with powdered sugar or drizzle them with cream cheese frosting for extra flair!
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12
Calories per serving: 240
Total Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 50mg
Sodium: 150mg
Carbohydrates: 29g
Fiber: 1g
Sugars: 19g
Protein: 2g
Preparation Time
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes (plus cooling time)
How to Serve Red Velvet Brownie Hearts
These brownies are great all on their own, but here are a few ways you can take them to the next level:
With Ice Cream
Serve these red velvet brownie hearts with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side for an indulgent treat. The cool creaminess of the ice cream pairs perfectly with the warm, rich brownies.
As a Party Favor
If you’re making these for a party, wrap each brownie heart in a little treat bag and tie it with a ribbon. It’s a fun, personal way to share the love with guests!
With Cream Cheese Frosting
For an extra indulgent experience, pipe some homemade cream cheese frosting onto the top of each brownie heart. The tangy, sweet frosting is the perfect complement to the rich red velvet flavor.
As a Sweet Snack
Cut these into smaller pieces if you’re serving them as part of a larger spread. They make a great addition to dessert tables, afternoon tea, or just a cozy treat to enjoy with a cup of coffee.
Additional Tips
Don’t Overbake
The key to a fudgy brownie is to avoid overbaking. Keep an eye on your brownies and remove them when they’re just set. They’ll firm up as they cool, but they should still be soft and gooey on the inside.
Let Them Cool Before Cutting
Be patient and let the brownies cool before cutting them into hearts. This ensures that the edges stay neat and the brownie doesn’t crumble too much when you’re cutting out the hearts.
Make Them Bigger or Smaller
If you’re serving a crowd, you can use a larger heart-shaped cutter or even just cut the brownies into squares for easier serving. You can also use smaller cutters for mini brownie hearts.
Add Chocolate Chips
For an extra chocolatey twist, fold some mini chocolate chips into the batter before baking. They’ll melt into the brownies and create pockets of gooey, melty chocolate.
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I use a regular brownie mix instead of red velvet cake mix?
A1: Yes, you can! But using red velvet cake mix gives these brownies their signature tangy flavor and rich color. If you use a regular brownie mix, they’ll still taste delicious, but they won’t have that red velvet vibe.
Q2: Can I make these brownies without buttermilk?
A2: If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can substitute it with regular milk or make your own buttermilk by adding 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to a cup of milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using.
Q3: Can I freeze these red velvet brownie hearts?
A3: Yes, you can freeze these brownies! Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw them at room temperature before serving.
Q4: Can I make these brownies in a different shape?
A4: Absolutely! You can use any cookie cutter shape you like, or even just cut the brownies into squares or triangles if you prefer.
Q5: Do I have to cut these into heart shapes?
A5: No, you don’t have to. The heart shape is just a fun way to make them festive, but you can cut them into any shape or simply serve them as regular brownies.
Q6: Can I make these brownies in advance?
A6: Yes! You can make these brownies a day ahead of time and store them in an airtight container. Just wait to cut them into shapes until the brownies have cooled completely.
Q7: Can I use store-bought frosting for these brownies?
A7: Of course! If you’re looking to save time, you can use store-bought cream cheese frosting or any frosting of your choice. Homemade frosting will also work beautifully.
Q8: How can I make these brownies more chocolatey?
A8: For extra chocolate flavor, try folding in some mini chocolate chips or even chunks of dark chocolate into the batter before baking.
Q9: Can I make these brownies gluten-free?
A9: Yes! You can swap out the regular red velvet cake mix with a gluten-free version, and these brownies should turn out just as delicious.
Q10: What’s the best way to store these brownies?
A10: Store the brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you have leftovers, they can be refrigerated for up to a week.
Conclusion
These Red Velvet Brownie Hearts are an easy, fun, and gorgeous dessert that’s sure to brighten up any occasion. Whether you’re celebrating love, a special event, or just indulging in a sweet treat, these brownies are the perfect choice. Rich, fudgy, and with that signature red velvet flavor, they’ll quickly become a favorite in your dessert repertoire.
PrintRed Velvet Brownie Hearts
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 12–16 servings 1x
Description
These Red Velvet Brownie Hearts combine the rich, fudgy texture of brownies with the vibrant red color and subtle cocoa flavor of red velvet. Perfectly shaped for Valentine’s Day, they make an indulgent and sweet treat for your loved ones.
Ingredients
For the brownies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp red food coloring
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 tsp white vinegar
For the cream cheese swirl (optional, for extra decadence):
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal, or use heart-shaped silicone molds for individual portions.
- Make the brownie batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter and granulated sugar. Stir until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and red food coloring.
- Add dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk. Mix until just combined. Add the vinegar and stir to combine.
- Optional cream cheese swirl: In a separate small bowl, beat together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. If you want to add a swirl, spoon dollops of the cream cheese mixture into the brownie batter and gently swirl it with a knife or toothpick.
- Bake the brownies: Pour the brownie batter into the prepared pan (or individual molds). Smooth the top with a spatula and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
- Cool and cut into hearts: Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan before transferring to a wire rack. Once cooled, use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut the brownies into heart shapes.
- Serve: Enjoy these soft, fudgy Red Velvet Brownie Hearts as a perfect Valentine’s Day treat or gift for your loved ones!
Notes
- If you don’t have buttermilk, you can use a substitute by adding 1 tsp of lemon juice or white vinegar to ½ cup of milk and letting it sit for a few minutes.
- The cream cheese swirl is optional but adds an extra layer of richness. Feel free to leave it out if you prefer.
- You can store the brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days or refrigerate them for longer freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 heart-shaped brownie
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 40mg