Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies

You know those desserts that make everyone stop mid-conversation and ask for the recipe? That's exactly what happened last Valentine's Day when I brought these chocolate covered strawberry brownies to our neighborhood potluck.

Bradley, who usually just grabs food and disappears to his room, actually stayed in the kitchen asking when I'd make them again. John kept sneaking back for "just one more piece" (I counted four), and Amy declared them "the prettiest brownies ever" before helping me arrange the strawberries on top.

These brownies combine everything I learned at cooking school about balancing textures with the practical shortcuts that make weeknight desserts actually doable. The fudgy brownie base gets topped with fresh strawberries and a silky chocolate ganache that sets into the most gorgeous finish. They're rich, romantic, and surprisingly simple to pull together.

If you're looking for another show-stopping dessert that's easier than it looks, you've got to try my Strawberry Cheesecake Danishes - they're another family favorite that always gets rave reviews.

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love These Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies
• Ingredients for Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies
• How To Make Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies
• Storage And Reheating Tips
• Tips for Perfect Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies
• FAQs About Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies
• Recipes You May Like
• Making Memories With Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies
• Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies

Why You'll Love These Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies

These brownies hit every mark for a special occasion dessert:

• Simple enough for busy days - Starting with a brownie mix means these come together in about 20 minutes of actual work time
• Looks absolutely stunning - The glossy ganache and bright strawberries make these look like something from a fancy bakery
• Perfect balance of flavors - The sweet-tart strawberries cut through the rich chocolate beautifully
• Make-ahead friendly - These actually taste better the next day after the flavors have time to meld together
• No special equipment needed - Just basic mixing bowls and a 9x9 pan that's probably already in your cabinet
• Feeds a crowd - Cuts into 16 generous servings (or more if you make them smaller, which I recommend because they're wonderfully rich)

Ingredients for Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies

Here's what you'll need to make these show-stopping brownies:

For the Brownie Base:

• 18.3 ounce box brownie mix
• 3.9 ounce box chocolate pudding mix (this is the secret to extra fudgy brownies)
• ⅔ cup whole milk
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs

For the Strawberry Chocolate Topping:

• 1 cup fresh strawberries (about half of a 1-pound package), hulled and halved
• 12 ounces (3 4-ounce bars) semi-sweet baking chocolate
• 1½ cups heavy whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons salted butter

Trust me on the pudding mix addition - it makes these brownies incredibly moist and fudgy in a way that regular brownie mix just can't match on its own.

How To Make Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies

Making these brownies is easier than you'd think from looking at them. Here's how it all comes together:

Prepare the Brownies:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a 9x9 inch baking pan with parchment paper. (Leave some overhang on the sides - it makes lifting the brownies out so much easier later.)
2. Mix the brownie batter by combining the brownie mix, pudding mix, milk, vegetable oil, and eggs in a large bowl. I usually just use a whisk and some elbow grease, but a hand mixer works great too. Mix until everything's completely combined and smooth.
3. Pour the batter into your prepared pan and use a spatula to smooth out the top into an even layer.
4. Bake for 34-37 minutes or until a toothpick inserted about 1 inch from the edge comes out clean. The center might still look slightly underdone - that's exactly what you want for fudgy brownies.
5. Let the brownies cool completely in the pan. This takes about 30-45 minutes, and I know it's hard to wait, but it's really important. If they're even slightly warm, the ganache won't set properly.

Add the Strawberry Topping:

6. Arrange the strawberries flat side down in an even layer across the top of the cooled brownies. Amy loves helping with this step - she makes sure they're perfectly spaced.
7. Prepare the chocolate ganache by placing the semi-sweet chocolate bars in a medium heat-safe bowl. Break them into smaller pieces if needed.
8. Heat the cream and butter together in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously until the butter melts completely.
9. Continue heating until you see tiny bubbles forming around the edges of the pan. This takes about 3 minutes. Don't walk away - it goes from perfect to scalded quickly.
10. Pour the hot cream mixture immediately over the chocolate. Make sure all the chocolate pieces are covered by the liquid.
11. Let it sit undisturbed for 5 minutes. This waiting period is key - it lets the chocolate start melting without any help.
12. Stir the ganache until the chocolate has completely melted and you've got a smooth, glossy mixture. If you see any lumps, just keep stirring - they'll melt.
13. Pour the ganache evenly over the strawberry-topped brownies. Give the pan a few gentle taps on the counter to release any air bubbles.
14. Let the ganache set at room temperature for about 90 minutes, or pop it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes if you're in a hurry (like I usually am).
15. Cut into squares using a sharp knife. I run mine under hot water and wipe it clean between cuts for the prettiest edges.

Storage And Reheating Tips

These brownies are best enjoyed at room temperature, but they need to be stored properly:

Refrigerator Storage: Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap or transfer cut brownies to an airtight container. They'll last 2-3 days in the fridge. The fresh strawberries mean these can't sit out at room temperature for long - after the first couple of hours, get them chilled.

Freezing Instructions: These actually freeze beautifully. Wrap individual brownies in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. They'll keep for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

Serving Tip: Take them out of the fridge about 15-20 minutes before serving. They taste best when they're not ice cold - the chocolate ganache gets this perfect soft texture at room temperature.

Tips for Perfect Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies

After making these more times than I can count (seriously, Bradley requests them constantly), here's what I've learned:

Let the brownies cool completely before adding any toppings. I made the mistake once of being impatient, and the warm brownies made the ganache slide right off. Not pretty.

Use a sharp, slightly serrated knife for cutting clean squares. John actually prefers using a plastic knife - weird, but it works surprisingly well and doesn't stick to the chocolate.

Cut smaller portions than you think you need. These are wonderfully rich, and a little goes a long way. I usually cut mine into 20-24 pieces instead of 16.

Don't skip the pudding mix in the brownie batter. It's what makes these incredibly fudgy instead of cake-like. I've tried making them without it, and they just weren't the same.

Make sure your strawberries are dry before placing them on the brownies. Pat them with a paper towel after washing and cutting. Extra moisture can make the ganache not set properly.

Use good quality chocolate for the ganache. The chocolate is really the star here, so it's worth getting decent baking chocolate rather than just chocolate chips. The ganache comes out smoother and more glossy.

Try different berries if strawberries aren't in season. I've made these with raspberries when strawberries were looking sad at the store, and they were amazing.

FAQs About Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies

Recipes You May Like

If you loved these brownies, here are some other chocolate and fruit desserts you should try:

• Fudgy Peppermint Brownie Cookies - Another chocolate lover's dream with that perfect fudgy texture
• Strawberry Cheesecake Danishes - More strawberry goodness in a beautiful pastry
• Chocolate Molten Lava Cakes - For when you want individual portions of pure chocolate heaven

Making Memories With Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies

These brownies have become our go-to dessert for any occasion that needs something special. Last month, Amy asked if we could make them for her teacher's birthday, and Bradley actually offered to help (which never happens).

The beauty of this recipe is that it looks and tastes impressive without requiring hours in the kitchen or fancy techniques from cooking school. The brownie mix makes it accessible for busy weeknights, but the ganache and fresh strawberries make it special enough for celebrations.

Give these a try this week and let me know what you think! They're perfect for Valentine's Day, anniversaries, or just because it's Tuesday and you want something wonderful.

Save this recipe on Pinterest so you can find it again later!

Happy baking, and here's to many more delicious moments with your loved ones.

— Stephanie

Print