My Strawberry Swirl Chocolate Brownies are what happens when a lovely chocolate covered strawberry makes eyes at a fudgy chocolate brownie. These nostalgic brownies feel distinctly now with a swirl of strawberry running throughout. They are perfect for entertaining, sharing on Valentine’s Day, or just sweetening up your afternoon tea.
Baking brownies and smell of them in the oven is an immediate sense of nostalgia. It always takes me back to making the Duncan Hines boxed version with my mom or grandma, always perfecting the added peanut butter dollops on top. To me, brownies make the perfect dinner party dessert for this reason alone. They bring the adults at your party back to those times as a kid. They’re a comfort food, a little unexpected in their simplicity, and they put everyone at ease.
As Valentine’s nears, I decided it would be fun to put a chocolate covered strawberry spin on these brownies. And boy, the results were worth it! Fudgy and satisfying, but the strawberry swirl gives them an unexpected fruitiness that cuts through the chocolate.
I included them as part of my Casual Dinner Party Menu for 6 because I love them so much for a crowd. They can be made entirely in advance. You could even make them the day before if that’s when you have the time. That menu balances a decadent Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili with a swirl of Brie cheese and a light and simple arugula salad with lemon parmesan vinaigrette. These brownies are the perfect sweet treat to leave everyone feeling satisfied.
This is the kind of dessert that feels just right at the end of a cozy meal with friends. Or as a perfect accompaniment to a cup of coffee for an afternoon pick me up. It will take you back to those childhood days and make you feel just a little bit more carefree.
Why These Brownies Work for Entertaining
These Strawberry Swirled Chocolate Brownies are the perfect end note for your next party. They work beautifully at a casual dinner party, but they’d also be perfect for an afterschool treat or an indulgent end to a light lunch. They’re excellent for entertaining because:
- Make-ahead friendly: Bake earlier in the day or the night before. The aroma of these brownies baking is absolutely to die for, so if you do bake them an hour before the party you’ll get the benefit of making your guests’ mouths water as soon as they arrive.
- Easy to serve: Slice and plate, or let guests grab one themselves
- Crowd-pleasing: These brownies are so nostalgic and have a lovely familiarity to them, but the strawberry swirl offers a new twist.
- Low effort, high reward: No decorating, chilling, or assembly required. My kind of dessert! And a rich chocolate brownie is always chief elegance in my book.
Strawberry Swirl Chocolate Brownies
Course: DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy12-16
servings20
minutes26
minutesMy Strawberry Swirl Chocolate Brownies are what happens when a lovely chocolate covered strawberry makes eyes at a fudgy chocolate brownie. These nostalgic brownies feel distinctly current with a swirl of strawberry running throughout. They’d be perfect for entertaining, sharing on Valentine’s Day, or just sweetening up your afternoon tea.
Ingredients
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
4oz dark chocolate, chopped
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup flour
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/3 cup strawberry jam
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper.
- Melt butter and dark chocolate together in the microwave until smooth. Let cool slightly.
- Transfer to a medium size mixing bowl. Whisk in both sugars until glossy. Add eggs and vanilla until fully incorporated. Then fold in the flour, cocoa powder, and salt until everything is combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Spread out until even.
- Dollop jam on top of the batter and gently swirl with a knife or toothpick.
- Bake for 26-30 minutes until the edges are crisp and the center is still slightly soft.
- Let cool completely before cutting. Enjoy!
Make Ahead and Serving Notes
Brownies can be baked up to 24 hours ahead
Store tightly covered at room temperature
For clean slices, chill briefly before cutting
Serve as is, or with lightly sweetened whipped cream or vanilla ice cream if you want something extra
If you’d like to offer a small dessert buffet along with these brownies, you could include my festive Brown Butter M&M Bars and my stunning Strawberry Lemonade Cookies.
A Small Hosting Tip
Set the brownies out on a cutting board or platter and let people take one when they’re ready. It keeps dessert relaxed and encourages lingering, which is exactly what you want at a casual dinner party. I offered mine on a cake stand which gave them a bit of that wow factor as well.
My Casual Dinner Party Menu for 6
These Strawberry Swirled Chocolate Brownies provide the big finish to my effortless and delicious Casual Dinner Party Menu for 6. That menu is so fuss free! It stars a Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili that impresses with a swirl of Brie. And a light and simple arugula salad with lemon parmesan vinaigrette balances out the meal beautifully. The best part is that the entire menu is so laid back that you’ll be able to truly enjoy time with your guests while also knocking their socks off with the food. Win win!
For more recipe and menu ideas, check out my recipe page. And check back for more romantic entertaining ideas and inspiration in the weeks to come!
