Valentine's Day Brownie Bites (Fudgy Pink & Red Heart Treats!)
Surprise everyone this Valentine's Day with these adorable mini brownies! Perfectly fudgy and topped with festive pink, red, and white chocolate designs, these bite-sized treats are as fun to make as they are to eat.
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Whether you drizzle, coat, or sprinkle them with love, they are guaranteed to add a sweet touch to your celebration! As a nurse and mom, I love recipes that bring joy without requiring hours in the kitchen-and these Valentine's Day Brownie Bites deliver on both flavor and fun.
Why You'll Love These Valentine's Day Brownie Bites
- Perfectly portioned: Bite-sized brownies are ideal for sharing, party platters, or Valentine's classroom treats.
- Customizable decorations: Create your own pink and red chocolate designs with simple food coloring and sprinkles.
- Fudgy texture: Rich, chocolatey, and moist-exactly what a brownie should be!
- Make-ahead friendly: Bake these ahead of time and decorate closer to your Valentine's celebration.
- Kid-approved: My daughter Carlina loves helping decorate these-they're a fun family activity!
Ingredient Notes
- Butter (8 Tablespoons/1 stick): Provides richness and helps create that fudgy texture. Use unsalted butter for best results.
- 70% Chocolate (½ cup): Higher quality chocolate makes a noticeable difference in flavor. I recommend using a good dark chocolate bar, chopped into pieces.
- Sugar (⅔ cup): Granulated white sugar dissolves beautifully into the egg mixture.
- Eggs (2 large): Room temperature eggs incorporate more smoothly into the batter.
- Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): Pure vanilla extract enhances the chocolate flavor.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder (3 Tablespoons): Dutch-process or natural cocoa both work well. Sift to avoid lumps.
- All-Purpose Flour (¾ cup): Measured correctly using the spoon-and-level method.
- Salt (½ teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and enhances chocolate flavor.
- White Chocolate (1½ cups): For the glaze. Use quality white chocolate chips or chopped white chocolate bars.
- Red Oil-based Food Coloring: Oil based colors provide vibrant shades without thinning the chocolate. Start with a small amount and add more for deeper color.
- Canola Oil (3 tablespoons): Keeps the chocolate glaze smooth and glossy. You can substitute with any neutral-flavored oil like vegetable or canola.
- Valentine's Sprinkles: Choose festive heart-shaped sprinkles, pink and red jimmies, or conversation hearts!
How to Make Valentine's Day Brownie Bites
Prepare the Brownies
Step 1: Prep your pan. Grease a silicone brownie bites mold or brownie bite pan with butter or non-stick spray. Silicone molds are my favorite because the brownies pop out so easily!
Step 2: Melt butter and chocolate. In a heatproof bowl, combine the butter and 70% chocolate. Melt together using a double boiler or microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval. Let cool slightly.
Step 3: Mix sugar, vanilla, and eggs. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar until well combined-about 1-2 minutes. Don't overmix, as this can create a sticky crust on top. Add the vanilla extract and stir to combine.
Step 4: Add dry ingredients. Sift the flour, cocoa powder, and salt together. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture in two additions using gentle folding motions. Overmixing develops gluten and creates tough brownies, so fold just until no flour streaks remain.
Step 5: Incorporate chocolate mixture. Pour the melted butter and chocolate into the batter and stir until fully combined and glossy.
Step 6: Fill the molds. Transfer the batter to a piping bag (or use a spoon) and fill each cavity about ⅔ full. This prevents overflow and ensures even baking.
Step 7: Bake. Bake at 350°F for 10 to 15 minutes. Start checking at 10 minutes-insert a toothpick into the center. It should come out with moist crumbs, not raw batter. Remember, these are brownie bites, so they bake quickly!
Step 8: Cool completely. Let the brownies cool in the mold for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. They must be completely cool before decorating or the chocolate will melt.
Decorate Your Brownie Bites
Step 1: Prepare the glaze. Melt the white chocolate with the canola oil in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth. The oil creates a glossy, pourable consistency.
Step 2: Divide and color. Divide the melted chocolate into separate bowls-I typically use three bowls for white, pink, and red. Add oil based food coloring one drop at a time, stirring well. Remember: you can always add more color, but you can't take it away!
PRO TIP: YOU MUST USE OIL BASED OR POWDERED FOOD COLORING OR THE CHOCOLATE WILL SEIZE.
Step 3: Fully coat some brownies. Dip a few brownies completely into the chocolate glaze, letting excess drip off. Place on parchment paper or a cooling rack. I love doing some in bright pink, some in white, and some in red!
Step 4: Add decorative drizzles. Once the coating sets slightly (about 5 minutes), use a piping bag or spoon to drizzle contrasting chocolate colors over the top. Create stripes, zigzags, or random patterns-there's no wrong way!
Step 5: Drizzle the remaining brownies. For variety, leave some brownies uncoated and simply drizzle different shades across the top for a more rustic look.
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Step 6: Add sprinkles immediately. Top all brownies with Valentine's Day sprinkles while the chocolate is still wet so they adhere properly.
Step 7: Let set. Allow decorated brownies to set at room temperature for about 30 minutes, or freeze for 10-15 minutes for faster results.
Tips for Perfect Brownie Bites
Don't overbake: The difference between fudgy and cakey brownies is just a couple of minutes. Pull them when a toothpick has moist crumbs attached.
Room temperature ingredients: Eggs and butter at room temperature mix more smoothly and create better texture.
Gentle folding: When adding flour, use a folding motion rather than vigorous stirring to keep brownies tender.
Quality chocolate matters: Since chocolate is a star ingredient, use the best you can afford. The flavor difference is noticeable!
Get creative with colors: Try ombré effects by using varying shades of pink, or stick with classic red and white for a traditional Valentine look.
Use oil based food coloring: Water based food coloring can seize chocolate. Oil based or powder food coloring works much better.
Thin chocolate if needed: If your glaze becomes too thick, add a teaspoon of oil at a time until it reaches drizzling consistency.
Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep away from direct sunlight to prevent chocolate from melting.
Refrigerator: These keep for up to 5 days refrigerated. Bring to room temperature before serving for best texture.
Freezer: Freeze undecorated brownies for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container with parchment between layers. Thaw completely before decorating.
Make-ahead strategy: Bake brownies 1-2 days ahead and store in an airtight container. Decorate the day before or day of your celebration for the freshest look.
Serving Suggestions
These Valentine's Day Brownie Bites are perfect for:
- Valentine's Day classroom parties
- Galentine's Day celebrations with friends
- Romantic dessert platters for two
- Family movie nights during February
- Bake sales and fundraisers
- Teacher appreciation treats
- Office Valentine's exchanges
Package them in clear cellophane bags tied with pink ribbon for adorable Valentine's gifts, or arrange them on a festive platter with fresh strawberries and chocolate-covered pretzels for a beautiful dessert board.
These Valentine's Day Brownie Bites combine my love of simple, delicious recipes with festive fun the whole family can enjoy. The rich, fudgy texture paired with colorful decorations makes them irresistible!
From my family to yours, Happy Valentine's Day! 💕
Pin this recipe for later and share your decorated brownie bites on Instagram-tag @marathonsandmotivation so I can see your beautiful creations!
Valentine's Day Brownie Bites
Equipment
- Brownie Bite Mold or pan
Ingredients
For the Brownies:
- 8 Tablespoons butter softened (1 stick)
- ½ cup 70% dark chocolate chopped
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Glaze:
- 1½ cups white chocolate chips
- 3 tablespoons canola oil or neutral oil
- Red oil-based food coloring or powdered food coloring
- Valentine's Day sprinkles
Instructions
Make the Brownies:
- Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease a silicone brownie bites mold or square pan.
- In a heatproof bowl, melt butter and dark chocolate together using a double boiler or microwave (30-second intervals, stirring between). Let cool slightly.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together eggs and sugar until well combined, about 1-2 minutes. Stir in vanilla extract.
- Sift together flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Gently fold dry ingredients into egg mixture in two additions, just until combined. Don't overmix.
- Pour melted chocolate mixture into batter and stir until fully combined and glossy.
- Transfer batter to a piping bag or use a spoon to fill molds ⅔ full.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out with moist crumbs (not raw batter). Start checking at 10 minutes.
- Cool in mold for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating.
Decorate the Brownies:
- Melt white chocolate with sunflower oil in microwave-safe bowl, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth.
- Divide melted chocolate into separate bowls. Add red GEL food coloring to create pink and red shades, leaving one bowl white.
- Fully coat some brownies by dipping or spooning chocolate over them. Place on parchment paper.
- Once coating sets slightly (about 5 minutes), drizzle contrasting chocolate colors over coated brownies using a piping bag or spoon.
- For remaining brownies, drizzle various chocolate shades directly over uncoated brownies.
- Immediately top all brownies with Valentine's Day sprinkles while chocolate is wet.
- Let set at room temperature for 30 minutes or freeze for 10-15 minutes until firm.
Notes
Don't overbake—fudgy brownies should have moist crumbs on the toothpick
Store in airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days, refrigerated up to 5 days
Freeze undecorated brownies up to 3 months
If chocolate glaze becomes too thick, add oil 1 teaspoon at a time
