Brownie Hearts and Brownie Bites

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msldig_0103_brownieheartsbites.jpg
Prep Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
1 hrs
Yield:
12 hearts

After you cut out the hearts, roll the brownie leftovers into bite-size morsels. Once coated with cocoa or sugar, they resemble truffles. You'll get about 44 bites.

Ingredients

  • ½ pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter

  • 2 ½ cups packed light-brown sugar

  • 6 ounces unsweetened chocolate

  • 4 large eggs

  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

  • 2 cups flour

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • Confectioners' sugar, colored sugar, cocoa, or crushed toffee bits, for decoration

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Butter bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking pan; cut a piece of waxed paper to fit the bottom, and press it onto the buttered surface. In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine butter, brown sugar, and chocolate. Microwave on high for 1 minute; stir. If the chocolate is not softened, continue to microwave at 10-second intervals, removing before it's completely melted.

  2. Beat eggs and vanilla into the melted chocolate with a wooden spoon. Beat in flour and salt. Pour batter into the prepared pan, and smooth the top. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out almost clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool.

  3. Run a knife around the edge of the pan. Turn the brownie cake out onto a baking sheet, and flip over onto a work surface. Cut out the brownies with a 2 1/2-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter. Dust with cocoa if you like. Form the scraps into 1-inch balls, and roll them in the coating of your choice.

Cook's Notes

If you don't have a heart-shaped cutter, you can cut the brownies into squares or other shapes. If you like, add 1 cup chopped nuts to the batter, or decorate the top of each brownie with a whole pecan or walnut.

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