TYPER HERE TO SEARCH!

Dark Chocolate Cherry Frosted Brownie Bites

I made these cute little brownie bites to go with my Dark Chocolate Cherry Mini Heart Cupcakes, I posted about last week. These tiny little brownies and packed with fudgy, dark chocolate flavor and topped with a sweet, classic buttercream frosting, spiked with cherry extract for a festive Valentine's Day touch. 



These 2-bite brownies make a perfect Valentine's Day party treat or for bringing in to school or work for a sweet surprise. You can even switch up the sprinkle shape to match the theme of any occasion! I added a little cherry extract to the frosting for chocolate-cherry and cherry-vanilla flavored frostings. You can also try adding a little raspberry or strawberry flavored extract to my basic chocolate and vanilla buttercream recipe below, for a fun flavor variation.

They make a perfect addition to a beautiful dessert spread, too!
(Chocolate dipped strawberries, chocolate pretzel coins, plain and frosted brownies bites)



Dark Chocolate Brownie Bites

Yield: 49 brownie bites

Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick/4oz.) butter, melted (browned for maximum flavor)
  • 3/4 cup (150g) granulated white sugar
  • 1/4 cup (48g) packed brown sugar
  • 6oz. semisweet or bittersweet chocolate (1 cup chocolate chips)
  • 2 tablespoons (10g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3/4 cup (90g) flour, weighed or spooned and leveled
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8 inch square pan with foil or parchment paper and spray with non-stick spray.

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. To brown the butter, continue to cook, stirring constantly, until brown specks start to appear at the bottom of the pan and butter has turned a light amber color, giving off a nutty aroma (about 5-7 minutes).

Reduce heat to low and add the sugars, chocolate, and cocoa, stirring with a wooden spoon until smooth. Remove from heat and stir for about a minute to cool mixture. Mix in the vanilla extract and eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir vigorously for about 1-2 minutes until batter becomes thick, smooth and shiny. Stir in the flour, baking powder and salt, until just incorporated, followed by mix-ins, if desired. Pour batter into prepared pan.

Bake for about 35-45 minutes. An inserted toothpick will come out with moist crumbs sticking to it. Do not over bake. Cool brownies completely in the pan on a cooling rack. 

To make the frosting, with an electric mixer, beat butter on medium speed until smooth. On low speed, beat in vanilla and salt. Slowly add powdered sugar, about half  cup at a time, followed by 2-3 tablespoons of cream. Beat on medium speed until light and creamy. Scoop out half of the frosting and set aside. Beat in the cocoa powder and 1 tablespoons cream to the remaining frosting until smooth and fluffy. Spread or pipe half of the brownie bites with your vanilla frosting and the other half with chocolate.

Cut 6 vertical and 6 horizontal lines, creating bite-sized squares using a sharp knife (freeze brownies for easy, crumb-free slices).


Chocolate-Cherry & Cherry-Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup (1 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 4-6 tablespoons cream, half and half or milk
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon cherry flavored extract
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt 
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder, unsweetened
  • mini heart confetti sprinkles

Directions
With an electric mixer, beat butter on medium speed until smooth. Beat in powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons cream until smooth. Add flavor extracts and salt. Beat on medium speed until light and creamy. Scoop out half of the frosting and set aside. Beat in the cocoa powder and 2-4 tablespoons cream to the remaining frosting until smooth and fluffy. Spread or pipe half of the brownie bites with your vanilla frosting and the other half with chocolate. Top each brownie bite with a festive confetti heart sprinkle.