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Strawberry Swirl Chocolate Brownies Recipe

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4.4 from 4 reviews

Delight in these rich and fudgy strawberry brownies featuring a luscious chocolate base swirled with vibrant strawberry jam and topped with fresh, heart-shaped strawberry slices. Perfectly baked to achieve a crackly top and a gooey center, these brownies offer a beautiful balance of chocolate indulgence and fruity sweetness, ideal for any dessert lover.

Ingredients

Brownie Batter

  • 3/4 cup butter (salted or unsalted works)
  • 1 cup + 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 3/4 cup + 2 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/4 cups coarsely chopped chocolate (divided use)

Strawberry Topping

  • 1/4 cup strawberry jam
  • 4 medium strawberries (hulled and sliced)
  • 1/2 cup coarsely chopped chocolate (reserved)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350ºF. Line an 8×8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper, leaving a 1-inch overhang for easy removal, or alternatively, grease the pan well and lightly coat it with flour. Set aside.
  2. Melt Butter and Mix Cocoa: Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat on the stove. Once melted, remove from heat and whisk in the unsweetened cocoa powder until smooth and fully incorporated.
  3. Add Sugar, Eggs, and Vanilla: Stir in the granulated sugar and kosher salt. Add the eggs and pure vanilla extract, then whisk vigorously to aerate the batter and help form a crackly brownie top.
  4. Incorporate Flour and Chocolate: Gently fold in the all-purpose flour until just combined. Set aside half a cup of the chopped chocolate, then stir the remaining chocolate into the batter evenly.
  5. Spread Batter in Pan: Spread the thick brownie batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Use the back of a wooden spoon to work it into the corners. For a smooth surface, dip an offset spatula in hot water, dry it, and smooth the batter.
  6. Swirl Strawberry Jam and Add Toppings: Dollop the strawberry jam over the batter’s surface. Using a skewer or butter knife, swirl the jam lightly into the batter to create a marbled effect while keeping some pockets intact. Scatter the reserved chopped chocolate evenly on top.
  7. Prepare and Add Strawberries: Hull each strawberry by making two diagonal downward cuts forming a V shape at the top. Slice them lengthwise into thin pieces to create heart shapes. Arrange the strawberry slices over the brownies as decoration.
  8. Bake the Brownies: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes. The brownies are done when the edges are set firmly, the surface looks dry except for the chocolate chunks, and the center is slightly soft to the touch. The ideal internal temperature is around 180ºF for a gooey texture.
  9. Cool and Slice: Allow the brownies to cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes so they can set. Then, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the brownies out of the pan and slice into 16 squares.

Notes

  • For a denser, fudgier brownie, check the baking time towards 30 minutes.
  • You can use salted or unsalted butter; if using salted, reduce additional salt slightly to balance flavor.
  • Gently swirling the strawberry jam keeps the beautiful marmalade effect, rather than fully mixing it into the batter.
  • Using the offset spatula dipped in hot water helps achieve a smooth batter surface despite its thickness.
  • The heart-shaped strawberry slices add a lovely visual touch and fresh fruity flavor.
  • Store brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.