Valentine Brookies (Brownie + Sugar Cookie Swirls) Recipe

Introduction

Valentine Brookies combine rich, fudgy brownies with sweet, pink sugar cookie swirls for a festive treat perfect for sharing. This marbled dessert balances chocolate and vanilla flavors with a colorful, heart-inspired twist.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted (for brownie layer)
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar (for brownie layer)
• 2 large eggs, room temperature (for brownie layer)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for brownie layer)
• 1/3 cup natural unsweetened cocoa powder (for brownie layer)
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (for brownie layer)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt (for brownie layer)
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened (for sugar cookie layer)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for sugar cookie layer)
• 1 large egg, room temperature (for sugar cookie layer)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (for sugar cookie layer)
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (for sugar cookie layer)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder (for sugar cookie layer)
• Pink or red gel food coloring (for sugar cookie layer, to desired hue)
• Optional: Valentine sprinkles or heart confetti (for decoration)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two opposite sides for easy removal.
2. Step 2: Make the brownie layer: In a medium bowl, whisk together melted butter and sugar until smooth and shiny. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.
3. Step 3: Gently fold in cocoa powder, flour, and salt until no flour bits remain. Do not overmix.
4. Step 4: Pour brownie batter evenly into the prepared pan.
5. Step 5: Make the sugar cookie layer: In a separate bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar with a mixer at medium speed for 2-3 minutes until pale and fluffy.
6. Step 6: Scrape the sides of the bowl, then beat in the egg and vanilla extract until smooth.
7. Step 7: Add flour and baking powder; mix on low speed just until soft dough forms.
8. Step 8: Add pink or red gel food coloring a drop at a time, mixing until desired vibrant pink color is achieved.
9. Step 9: Drop spoonfuls of the pink sugar cookie dough randomly over the brownie batter.
10. Step 10: Using a butter knife or offset spatula, gently swirl the two batters together with figure-eights, loops, and zigzags to create marbled patterns. Be careful not to overmix.
11. Step 11: If using, sprinkle Valentine sprinkles or heart confetti over the top.
12. Step 12: Bake for 25-30 minutes. Check at 25 minutes; edges should be set and center still slightly soft with no wet batter. Use a toothpick test: it should come out with a few moist crumbs.
13. Step 13: Remove from oven and let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack (about 2 hours).
14. Step 14: For cleaner slices, refrigerate the cooled brookies for 30 minutes before cutting.
15. Step 15: Lift brookies using parchment overhang and cut into 16 even squares with a sharp knife, wiping blade between cuts.

Tips & Variations

• Use gel food coloring for vibrant pink without thinning the dough.
• For extra flavor, add a teaspoon of espresso powder to the brownie batter to deepen the chocolate taste.
• Swap heart-shaped sprinkles for chopped nuts or white chocolate chips for different textures.
• Let the brookies cool fully to set the layers before slicing for neater pieces.

Storage

Store brookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat chilled brookies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to soften before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular food coloring instead of gel?

You can, but regular liquid food coloring may thin the sugar cookie dough, affecting texture. Gel food coloring is best for vibrant color without changing consistency.

How do I prevent the brookies from sticking to the pan?

Lining the pan with parchment paper and leaving an overhang on two sides ensures easy removal of the brookies without sticking or breaking.

Valentine Brookies (Brownie + Sugar Cookie Swirls) Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 83 reviews

Valentine Brookies are a delightful combination of fudgy brownies and soft sugar cookie swirls, perfect for a romantic treat or festive celebration. Featuring a rich chocolate brownie base topped with vibrant pink sugar cookie dough swirled to create beautiful marbled patterns and decorated with festive Valentine sprinkles, these brookies bake to a chewy, tender texture that’s irresistible.

• Author: Dana
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes (including cooling and optional chilling)
• Yield: 16 brookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Brownie Layer

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup natural unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Sugar Cookie Layer

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• Pink or red gel food coloring, to desired hue
• Optional: Valentine sprinkles or heart confetti for decoration

Instructions

1. Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two opposite sides to help with easy removal later.
2. Make brownie batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together melted butter and granulated sugar until smooth and shiny. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract to combine.
3. Incorporate dry ingredients: Gently fold cocoa powder, all-purpose flour, and salt into the wet mixture until just combined and no flour pockets remain. Avoid overmixing to keep brownies tender.
4. Pour brownie layer: Pour the brownie batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
5. Make sugar cookie dough: In a separate bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar using a mixer on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until pale and fluffy.
6. Add eggs and vanilla: Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then beat in the egg and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth.
7. Mix dry ingredients for cookie dough: Add flour and baking powder, mixing on low speed just until a soft dough forms.
8. Add coloring: Drop in pink or red gel food coloring a drop at a time, mixing until the sugar cookie dough reaches your desired vibrant pink color.
9. Top brownie batter: Drop spoonfuls of the pink sugar cookie dough randomly over the brownie layer in the pan.
10. Create marbled effect: Using a butter knife or offset spatula, gently swirl the brownie and sugar cookie batters together with figure-eights, loops, and zigzags to create a marbled pattern. Be careful not to overmix.
11. Add decorations: If using, sprinkle Valentine sprinkles or heart confetti evenly over the top.
12. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes. Begin checking at 25 minutes; the edges should be set, and the center should be slightly soft without wet batter. A toothpick inserted should come out with a few moist crumbs.
13. Cool: Remove from oven and let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack, approximately 2 hours.
14. Chill (optional for cleaner slices): For sharper cuts, refrigerate the cooled brookies for 30 minutes before slicing.
15. Cut and serve: Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the brookies from the pan. Cut into 16 even squares with a sharp knife, wiping the blade between cuts for clean edges.

Notes

• Room temperature eggs help the batters mix evenly and improve texture.
• Do not overmix the brownie batter to ensure a fudgy consistency.
• Adding gel food coloring a drop at a time helps achieve the perfect pink shade without thinning the dough.
• Swirling the batters gently is key to maintaining distinct brownie and cookie layers while creating an attractive marbled look.
• Cooling completely before cutting prevents crumbling and keeps the brookies intact.
• Chilling before slicing creates cleaner, neater squares.
• Use parchment paper with overhang for easy removal from the pan without damage.

Keywords: Valentine brookies, brownie cookie bars, marbled brookies, sugar cookie swirls, Valentine’s Day dessert, chocolate sugar cookie bars