Description
Valentine Brookies are a delightful combination of rich, fudgy brownie layered with vibrant pink sugar cookie dough swirled on top. Perfect for Valentine’s Day or any special occasion, these brookies blend the intense chocolate flavor with the sweet, buttery sugar cookie in a marbled effect that’s both visually stunning and delicious.
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
Decoration (Optional)
- Valentine sprinkles or heart confetti
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two opposite sides to assist in easy removal.
- Make Brownie Batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the melted butter and sugar until smooth and shiny. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract thoroughly.
- Add Dry Ingredients to Brownie Batter: Gently fold in cocoa powder, all-purpose flour, and salt until no flour bits remain, ensuring not to overmix to keep fudgy texture.
- Pour Brownie Layer: Pour the prepared brownie batter evenly into the lined baking pan.
- Prepare Sugar Cookie Dough: In a separate bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar at medium speed using a mixer for 2-3 minutes until pale and fluffy.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla to Cookie Dough: Scrape down the bowl sides then beat in the egg and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients to Cookie Dough: Add flour and baking powder to the sugar cookie mixture and mix on low speed just until a soft dough forms.
- Color the Cookie Dough: Add pink or red gel food coloring drop by drop, mixing each time until the desired vibrant pink color is achieved.
- Layer Cookie Dough on Brownie: Drop spoonfuls of the colored sugar cookie dough randomly over the brownie batter in the pan.
- Swirl Batters: Using a butter knife or offset spatula, gently swirl the two batters together with figure-eights, loops, and zigzags to create beautiful marbled patterns without overmixing.
- Add Decoration: If desired, sprinkle Valentine sprinkles or heart confetti evenly over the top.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes. Check at 25 minutes; the edges should be set, and the center should be slightly soft with no wet batter. Use a toothpick test, it should come out with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool: Remove from oven and let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack, which will take about 2 hours.
- Chill for Slicing: To achieve cleaner slices, refrigerate the fully cooled brookies for 30 minutes before cutting.
- Cut and Serve: Lift the brookies out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang and cut into 16 even squares with a sharp knife, wiping the blade between cuts for neatness.
Notes
- For extra fudgy brookies, slightly underbake and allow them to cool fully before slicing.
- Room temperature eggs ensure better incorporation and smoother batter.
- Be cautious not to overmix the batters to maintain the tender texture and beautiful marbled appearance.
- Use gel food coloring rather than liquid to avoid changing the dough consistency.
- Store brookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Valentine treats, brookies, brownie sugar cookie swirls, Valentine's Day desserts, marbled desserts
