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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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Find it online: https://dishedbydana.com/valentine-brookies-brownie-sugar-cookie-swirls-recipe/