Strawberry Cream Cheese Brownies

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These Strawberry Cream Cheese Brownies are a gorgeous way to combine strawberries and chocolate with a twist, ideal for Valentines Day! Make the fudgy chocolate brownies before covering with luscious swirls of strawberry cream cheese frosting. The frosting comes together really quickly and spreads on like a dream. Finish with a dusting of freeze dried strawberries for the ultimate pink treat! The texture of biting through the dense brownie with the fluffy frosting makes these a perfect sweet treat.

This recipe starts with my classic brownie base, keeping everything fudgy and chocolatey. The frosting is what really makes these something special. There is something about strawberries and chocolate that just makes sense. By adding the dusting of freeze dried strawberries at the end it makes for a great treat to take and give to friends or family! This adds a real pop of color and makes them feel ‘finished’ but is totally optional. 

For these brownies, we rely heavily on the melted butter and light brown sugar to give the fudgy texture and super shiny topping. To make the shiny top on a brownie, there are arguments as to whether it’s the egg, or the molten sugar in the butter, so let’s make sure to do both. This recipe makes 9 brownie squares, made in an 8×8″ square pan. They keep well in the fridge for a few days. That said, they don’t last long if you’ve got lots of happy hungry mouths in the house!

WHEN IT COMES TO MAKING THE BEST BROWNIES, HERE ARE A FEW TIPS TO KEEP IN MIND:

1. Quality Ingredients: Always use high-quality ingredients in your brownie recipe. This includes using good quality chocolate, cocoa powder, and fresh eggs. It will make a noticeable difference in the taste and texture of the brownies.
2. Don’t Overmix: When combining the ingredients, be gentle and avoid overmixing the batter. Overmixing can lead to a denser and tougher texture. Mix until the ingredients are just combined.
3. Proper Pan Size: Use the recommended pan size mentioned in the recipe. Using a smaller or larger pan can affect the baking time and the texture of the brownies. For this brownie recipe, we use a standard muffin tin with regular muffin liners.
4. Do Not Overbake: Keep a close eye on the brownies while they are baking and avoid overbaking them. A slightly underbaked brownie will be fudgy and moist, while an overbaked one can turn out dry. Insert a toothpick into the center – if it comes out with a few moist crumbs, the brownies are done.
5. Let Them Cool: Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan before cutting and serving. This helps them to set and ensures that they hold their shape. It also allows the flavors to develop fully.
6. Experiment with Additions: Feel free to get creative with your brownie recipe by changing up the chocolate chips/chocolate chunks, or by adding nuts or fruit. Just make sure not to overload the batter, as it may affect the texture.

Remember, practice makes perfect when it comes to baking brownies. Don’t be afraid to make tweaks and adjustments to the recipe to suit your preferences. You can totally shift the frosting quantity for more or less, just do what suits you! 

Tips for making a great Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

Making a great strawberry cream cheese frosting is all about balancing sweetness, tang, and the fresh flavor of strawberries. Here are some tips to help you perfect it:

1. Use Fresh Strawberries (or high-quality puree):

• Fresh strawberries can give your frosting a vibrant, natural flavor. If you use pureed strawberries, make sure they’re thick, or strain them to remove excess water, which can affect the frosting’s consistency.

2. Cream Cheese:

• Use full-fat cream cheese for a richer, creamier texture. It will help balance the sweetness and add depth to the flavor.
• Ensure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature before using it, as it will blend better and give a smooth consistency.

3. Powdered Sugar for Sweetness:

• Powdered sugar is better for frosting than granulated sugar because it dissolves easily and gives a smooth texture.
• Gradually add powdered sugar to taste, adjusting for sweetness and consistency.

4. Butter for Richness:

• Adding a small amount of butter (around 2-3 tablespoons) can enhance the frosting’s texture and flavor. It helps with spreading and creates a more stable consistency.

5. Vanilla Extract:

• A teaspoon of vanilla extract can enhance the flavor of the strawberries and cream cheese, providing a nice depth to the overall taste.

6. Strain the Strawberry Puree (if using):

• If you’re using strawberry puree or mashed strawberries, strain them to remove excess seeds or pulp. This ensures a smooth frosting without any gritty texture.

7. Consistency:

• If your frosting is too thick, add a little milk or heavy cream (one tablespoon at a time) to loosen it up.
• If it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar until you get the right consistency.

8. Chill (Optional but Helpful):

• After making the frosting, chill it in the fridge for 10-15 minutes to firm it up a bit. This makes it easier to spread on cakes or cupcakes.

9. Don’t Overmix:

• Be careful not to overbeat the frosting, especially after adding powdered sugar. Overmixing can cause the frosting to become too airy and lose its creamy texture.

10. Add a Touch of Lemon Juice (Optional):

• A tiny squeeze of lemon juice can brighten the flavors and balance the sweetness. Just a little goes a long way.

INGREDIENTS REQUIRED for Strawberry Cream Cheese Brownies

There are no specialist ingredients or equipment required for this bake. I can find everything I need at my local supermarket or grocery store. Also, I use a standard 8×8″ baking pan. Line well so that the brownies easily come out of the pan. Frosting while the brownies are still in the pan will ensure the frosting covers everything from edge to edge.

• Dark/Semi-Sweet Chocolate, Melted
• Unsalted Butter
• Light Brown Soft Sugar
• Granulated Sugar
• Large Free Range Eggs
• Vanilla Extract
• Plain (All Purpose) Flour
• Cocoa Powder
• Powdered Sugar
• Full Fat Cream Cheese
• Fresh Strawberries
• Pink Food Dye (Optional – to add an extra pop of color to the frosting)
• Freeze Dried Strawberries, Crushed (Optional – to decorate)

TOP TIPS FOR THE BEST Strawberry Cream Cheese Brownies

• Melted Butter: As mentioned above, this contributes to the shiny top!
• Melted Chocolate: Try to use a higher quality dark chocolate where possible, as this really does contribute to that final flavour.
• Light Brown Sugar and Granulated Sugar: It is the combination of both sugars that creates the fudgy texture and rich flavour.
• Cocoa Powder: Again, where possible try to use a higher quality make. This contributes so much to the flavour and I find some cheap ones really dull the richness! 
• Frosting: Use fresh strawberries for the best result, but a splash of pink food coloring helps really make the frosting pop. Dust with crushed freeze dried strawberries for an extra dash of color and zing! 
• Cream Cheese: Full fat cream cheese (the block variety) will hold its shape the best, making cutting far easier. You can also use the store bought strawberry cream cheese if that’s easily available for you.

For my Strawberry Cream Cheese Brownies, I use a basic 8×8″ square baking pan. I also recommend a good stand mixer or high speed mixer (like this one) to make the brownie mixture. If you want more Valentines brownie recipe ideas, check out my Cherry Cheesecake Brownies. For videos and baking inspiration, head on over to my Instagram. If you make this recipe, don’t forget to drop it a star rating, leave a review or share a photo on your socials! 

STORAGE FOR Strawberry Cream Cheese Brownies

Because the frosting is made using lots of butter, you need to store these brownies in the refrigerator. Place in an airtight container before placing in the fridge. They will keep for up to 3 days this way. A cake tin is a great option if you have one. These can sit out while you serve and eat, just keep them in the fridge if they will go a while without being eaten.

Alternatively, you can freeze the brownies by themselves before they get covered with the frosting. Completely wrap as tight as you can using cling film/Saran wrap. If you have an airtight container too, place them in there before freezing. Let thaw in the fridge before making the frosting and serving!