DARK CHOCOLATE CHEWY FUDGE BROWNIES with MILK CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM & FRESH STRAWBERRIES

Dark Chocolate Chewy Fudge Brownies with Milk Chocolate Buttercream & Fresh Strawberries

CALLING ALL CHOCOLATE LOVERS!  You know how teenagers will scatter when there's a chore to do?  I have found the solution!  And yes, I'm talking about bribery, plain and simple.  Bait and switch, whatever you want to call it!  And the crazy thing is that this will work for just about any age group - young or old, busy or just trying to look busy! 

​I'm not sure if it's the dark chocolate chewy brownie bites, or the creamy milk chocolate buttercream frosting - but I do know that popping a fresh, ripe strawberry on top just takes these sweet little treats to a new level.   I moved my strawberry planters to a new location this year so that the critters can't get at them as easily, and we've had a bumper crop of sweet strawberries this year, they are getting red and ripe as fast as our little ones can pick them!  Aren't they just too cute?  And even sweeter!

Dark Chocolate Brownies with Milk Chocolate Buttercream & Fresh Strawberries

And if you have to make something special to bring to a picnic or other fancy soiree, not only do these take only about 30 minutes to make, they always seem to be a major draw at the picnic table or dessert table! 

Dark Chocolate Brownie Bites with Milk Chocolate Buttercream & Fresh Berries

Not that it's hard to create cute little brownie bites, but let's face it.  You need to start with a FABULOUS brownie recipe - one that is filled with deep, dark chocolate flavor, lots of chewy goodness, and a perfectly fudgey texture.  I've got you covered!  And loaded with some extra dark chocolate chips if you want - but then you'll need to place a warning sticker on these.  SO RICH, so chewy, so perfectly chocolate!

Dark Chocolate Fudge Brownies with Milk Chocolate Buttercream & Fresh Strawberries

Now that August is here...I needed to do something to put some smiles back on faces around the homefront.  Days on the boat, at the beach, swinging in a hammock or camping in the woods are starting to wind down as we start to get ready for school.  Faces are long, and spirits are starting to drag...this sweet little pick-me-up always gets them smiling!

Brownie Bites with Milk Chocolate Frosting & Fresh Strawberries

This sweet and creamy Milk Chocolate Buttercream is perfect as well - not too sweet, but perfectly silky and creamy, and it swirls up so nice!  I keep these in the fridge so that they keep that nice twirly-top and the berries stay fresh until I'm ready to put these out to disappear.  This family-favorite recipe makes 20-24 brownie bites, easily.  Not too big, not too little, but just right!

​Hope that you love them as much as we do!

Dark Chocolate Chewy Fudge Brownies with Milk Chocolate Buttercream & Strawberries

DARK CHOCOLATE CHEWY FUDGE BROWNIES with MILK CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM & FRESH STRAWBERRIES

Fudgy homemade Dark Chocolate Chewy Brownies made fresh from scratch.  These are good enough to eat alone – but truly decadent topped with silky homemade Milk Chocolate Buttercream and fresh strawberries!  Perfect for Valentine’s Day, bridal showers, and summer picnics!  Another family favorite that we hope you will love as much as we do!
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Dark Chocolate Chewy Fudge Brownies with Milk Chocolate Buttercream & Fresh Strawberries

​INGREDIENTS:
BROWNIES:
½ cup butter
8 ounces chopped dark chocolate (I use Ghiradelli Dark bars)
¾ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup light brown sugar (packed)
3 large eggs (room temperature)
2 teaspoons Rodelle Pure Vanilla Extract
½ cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons Rodelle Gourmet Baking Cocoa
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup dark chocolate chips (optional)
 
MILK CHOCOLATE FROSTING:
1-3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar (powdered sugar)
¼ cup Rodelle Gourmet Baking Cocoa
½ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
2 tablespoons heavy cream or half & half
1 teaspoon Rodelle Pure Vanilla Extract
¼ teaspoon salt
Fresh Strawberries, rinsed & sliced in half
 
HOW WE MAKE THESE:

1. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Remove from heat and stir in chopped chocolate, stirring constantly.  Pour into a large mixing bowl and allow to cool slightly for 10 minutes.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lower oven rack to lower third position.  I love using my Nordic Ware Brownie Bite pan for this recipe – simply spray with non-stick baking spray and you are good to go!  OR - line an 8x8-inch or  9x9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on all sides.
3. Whisk the granulated and brown sugars into the cooled butter/chocolate mixture.  Add the eggs, one at a time, whisking until smooth after each addition.  Whisk in the vanilla. 
4. Gently fold in the flour, cocoa powder and salt.  When blended, fold in the chocolate chips (optional).
5. Pour batter into prepared baking pan and bake for 20-22 minutes if using a Brownie Bite pan, or 28-33 minutes or until the brownies just begin to pull away from the edges of a single square pan.  If you test with a toothpick, insert into the center and it will come out with only a few moist crumbs when done.  Keep an eye on them and DO NOT OVERBAKE.
6. Allow brownies to cool for 5 minutes if using the Brownie Bite pan, then invert onto a parchment-paper covered baking pan.  If using a regular square pan, allow brownies to cool completely in the pan.  As soon as they reach room temperature, cover the pan with plastic wrap to retain moisture in the brownies until you can frost.
7. Prepare Frosting:  Sift together the confectioners’ sugar and cocoa powder so that there are no lumps; set aside.  With a handheld or stand mixer (fitted with a paddle attachment), beat the butter on medium speed until light and creamy – about 2 minutes.  Gradually add the sifted sugar/cocoa powder, alternating with the heavy cream and vanilla.  Beat on low speed after each addition.  Once everything is in the bowl, beat on high speed until light and creamy, 3 to 4 minutes.  Add a pinch of salt if frosting is too sweet. 
8. Frost brownies using an offset spatula or fill a piping bag and pipe frosting into nice swirls (I use a 1M tip).  Now’s the time to add fresh strawberries!
9. When ready to cut and serve, lift the brownies out of the pan using the overhang on the sides and cut into squares.  For neat squares, use a very sharp knife and wipe it clean with a paper towel after each cut.
10. Store the brownies in an airtight container in the fridge

​YIELD:  16 servings

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