These Heart Shaped Brownies are the ultimate Valentine’s Day treat, made from scratch with rich cocoa and melty chocolate chips. They transform a classic dessert into adorable, love-filled shapes with a simple cutting technique. Perfect for expressing affection, they bake up fudgy and are surprisingly easy to create for any romantic occasion.

I’ve been making these brownies for years, and they remain my go-to for celebrating love in edible form. There’s something magical about presenting a platter of these homemade brownie hearts, still slightly warm, that makes any moment feel special. I often pair them with a slice of my Red Velvet Cake for a decadent dessert spread or enjoy them alongside a batch of Chocolate Crinkle Cookies when hosting a cookie exchange.

Why You’ll Love These Heart Shaped Brownies

Easy to Shape: A simple diagonal cut transforms ordinary squares into perfect hearts instantly.
Rich Chocolate Flavor: The combination of cocoa powder and chocolate chips creates an intensely fudgy brownie.
Perfect for Gifting: These adorable treats make heartfelt, homemade gifts for classmates, teachers, or loved ones.
Crowd-Pleasing Favorite: Their charming appearance and delicious taste win over both kids and adults at any party.

Ingredients for Perfect Heart Shaped Brownies

Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information.

Unsalted butter: Using room temperature butter creates a light, fluffy base when creamed with sugar.
Granulated sugar: This sweetens the brownies and contributes to that classic crackly top.
Large eggs: Room temperature eggs incorporate more evenly for a smooth, homogeneous batter.
Pure vanilla extract: A quality extract enhances the deep chocolate flavor beautifully.
All-purpose flour: Spoon and level the flour to avoid dense, dry brownies.
Unsweetened cocoa powder: Sift if lumpy for the ultimate fudgy texture and rich color.
Baking powder: A small amount gives the brownies a slight lift.
Fine salt: Balances the sweetness and intensifies the chocolate notes.
Semisweet chocolate chips: These create delightful melted pockets throughout each heart-shaped bite.

Heart Shaped Brownies

Learn how to make perfect Heart Shaped Brownies for Valentine’s Day or any special occasion. Easy homemade chocolate brownie hearts with rich flavor.

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Prep Time 20

Cook Time 30

Total Time 2 50

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 12 brownie hearts

Calories 380 kcal

Equipment

mixing bowl
hand mixer
oven
9×13 inch baking pan
spatula
whisk
knife
cutting board
measuring cups
measuring spoons
wire rack

Ingredients

Wet Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
2 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs at room temperature
2 tsp pure vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder sifted if lumpy
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp fine salt
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with a thin layer of butter or non-stick cooking spray, then line the bottom with parchment paper for easy removal. This will help you get clean, intact brownies to cut into shapes.
In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer on medium speed to beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together for about 2 minutes, until the mixture is light and fluffy, which will help create a good crumb.
Beat in the eggs, one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Mix in the vanilla extract until just combined. The batter will look smooth and glossy.
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until no streaks of flour remain. Be careful not to overmix. Fold in the chocolate chips with a spatula.
Pour the thick batter into your prepared pan. Use the spatula to spread it into an even layer, reaching all corners. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached (not wet batter).
Let the brownies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack, about 2 hours.
Once cool, use the parchment paper to lift the whole slab out of the pan. Use a sharp knife to cut the brownies into squares, then carefully cut each square diagonally to create triangles. To form hearts, arrange two brownie triangles with the points touching to create the bottom of the heart, and the cut edges forming the top curves.

Notes

For a polished look, you can gently press the triangles together at the center point.

Keyword brownies, chocolate, heart shaped, Valentine’s Day

Creative Brownie Variations

Peppermint Patty Hearts: Add 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract to the batter for a cool, festive twist.
Raspberry Swirl Brownies: Swirl 1/4 cup of seedless raspberry jam into the batter before baking.
Nutty Heart Delight: Fold in 3/4 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans along with the chocolate chips.

My Tips for Perfect Heart Shaped Brownies

Proper Cooling: Let the brownies cool completely before cutting to ensure clean, sharp edges for your hearts.
Sharp Knife: Use a sharp knife wiped clean between cuts for the neatest triangles and final shapes.
Doneness Test: Look for moist crumbs on the toothpick, not wet batter, for a fudgy center.
Gentle Assembly: Press the triangle points together lightly so the hearts hold their shape without crumbling.

How to Store and Refresh Your Brownies

Store: Keep brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days to maintain freshness.
Freeze: Freeze unfrosted brownie hearts in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag for up to 3 months.
Reheat: Warm frozen brownies in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes to restore that just-baked texture.
Make-Ahead Tip: Bake and cut the brownie slab a day ahead, then assemble the hearts just before serving for peak presentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a heart-shaped cookie cutter instead?

Yes, you can use a heart-shaped cookie cutter on the cooled brownie slab. I find the triangle method creates less waste and sharper edges, but a cutter works well for thicker brownies. For more brownie ideas, try my Fudgy Chewy Brownies recipe.

How do I get a shiny crackly top on my brownies?

The key is beating the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, which incorporates air. Room temperature eggs also help create that signature shiny, crackly crust that makes brownies so visually appealing.

Can I make these brownies gluten-free?

Absolutely. Substitute the all-purpose flour with your favorite 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. I recommend letting the batter rest for 10 minutes before baking to allow the flours to hydrate properly for the best texture.

What’s the best way to cut brownies without crumbling?

Ensure brownies are completely cooled and use a sharp knife. Wiping the blade clean between cuts helps achieve clean edges. Chilling the brownie slab briefly can also make cutting easier.

More Valentine’s Day Treats to Love

Why This Heart Shaped Brownie Recipe Works

With its fudgy texture and rich chocolate flavor, these brownies are perfect for making any day feel special. The simple shaping technique turns a classic dessert into a heartfelt gesture that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. I hope this recipe brings as much joy to your kitchen as it has to mine.

Heart Shaped Brownies Recipe