Valentine’s Day has never been on my “top holidays” list. The over-priced flowers, the tacky, well, everything. All of it typically adds up to too much money spent and a big disappointment. Not this year!
This year I’m taking care of everyone in the kitchen instead of buying cheap chocolate or silly cards. I’m going to whip up a batch of these super cute and totally easy red velvet brownie hearts. If I’m feeling sassy, I may even have the kids lend a hand with the decorations and add in a few sprinkles, because really, who doesn’t love sprinkles?
Red Velvet Brownie Conversation Hearts
Makes about 24 servings
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
- 1 package (family-size) fudge brownie mix
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 eggs
- Red Food Coloring
- 8 cups confectioners’ sugar (2 pounds)
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
- 2 teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract
- Assorted Food Colors & Egg Dye
- Decorating gel or 1 ounce white baking chocolate
Prepare brownie mix as directed on package with sour cream, eggs, and red food color. Spoon batter in greased 13 x 9-inch baking pan.
Bake and cool and directed on package. Cut out cooled brownie with heart-shaped cookie cutters. Place brownies on wire rack set over baking sheet.
For the icing, mix confectioners’ sugar, water and corn syrup in medium saucepan. Cook on medium-low heat until sugar is melted, stirring occasionally. Stir in vanilla. Tint with desired food color. Spoon or pour icing over top and sides of brownies. (If icing becomes too stiff, gently reheat to pouring consistency.) Let stand until icing is set. Use decorating gel to write on brownies. Or melt white chocolate as directed on package. Pour into small resealable plastic bag. Snip off a tiny piece of the corner. Squeeze chocolate through hole in plastic bag to write on brownies.
Test Kitchen Tip: For easy clean-up, line pan with foil with ends of foil extending over sides of pan. Use foil handles to remove brownie from pan. Place on cutting board and cut out with cookie cutters.
Easy Pink Frosting: Brownie may frosted with Easy Pink Frosting instead of prepared icing. Stir 6 drops desired McCormick Assorted Food Color & Egg Dye into 1 container (16 ounces) white frosting until well blended. Add additional drops of food color until desired shade is reached. Spread on cooled brownie. Cut out with heart-shaped cookie cutters.
Recipe courtesy of the fine folks at McCormick
