Oh, let me tell you about my absolute favorite guilty pleasure: Gluten-Free Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies! 🤤 With their rich, fudgy texture, sweet chocolate ganache, and the delightful burst of strawberries, they truly are a little piece of heaven on a plate. I remember the first time I made these brownies for a friend’s birthday party. The table was filled with all sorts of desserts, but as soon as I set these beauties down, everyone just flocked to them! The smile on my friend’s face when she took a bite was priceless, and now they’re a must-have at every gathering!
What makes these brownies extra special is that they’re completely gluten-free without sacrificing any of the indulgence. I love how they stay rich and moist, and the strawberries add a fresh, fruity twist that balances out the chocolate perfectly. If you’re trying to impress some friends or just want to treat yourself, this recipe is the way to go! Let’s get started!
What’s in Gluten-Free Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies?
Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour: Since we’re going gluten-free, I like to use a blend that includes xanthan gum for binding. My go-to is often Bob’s Red Mill or King Arthur for consistent results.
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: This gives our brownies that rich chocolate flavor. I prefer Dutch-processed cocoa because it’s smoother and deeper in flavor.
Granulated Sugar: Just your regular white sugar that helps sweeten the brownies and creates that lovely crust on top.
Brown Sugar: I love using packed brown sugar as it adds moisture and a hint of caramel flavor that complements the chocolate beautifully.
Baking Powder: This helps our brownies rise slightly and makes them fluffy while still keeping that fudgy texture.
Salt: A pinch of salt heightens the flavor of chocolate, making it even more delicious!
Unsalted Butter: The foundation of all great baked goods! I always use unsalted so I can control how much salt goes in the recipe.
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Can’t have brownies without chocolate chips! They melt beautifully into the batter and provide cute little pockets of gooey chocolate.
Large Eggs: Eggs bind everything together and add richness.
Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract is a must to elevate the flavors and bring everything together.
Fresh Strawberries: Juicy and sweet, they add a fresh element that’s just heavenly in chocolate brownies. Feel free to use a few sprigs for decoration!
Chocolate Ganache: Made from semi-sweet chocolate and heavy cream, this luscious topping makes these brownies really special!
Is Gluten-Free Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies Good for You?
Let’s be real, we’re not exactly talking about a health food here, but there are some redeeming factors!
Strawberries: These little gems are packed with vitamins and antioxidants. They have a good dose of vitamin C, which is great for your immune system. Plus, they might just help to satisfy that sweet tooth in a slightly healthier way!
Dark Chocolate: If you opt for darker chocolate in your ganache, you’ll get some health benefits too! Dark chocolate is loaded with antioxidants and can improve heart health.
Of course, it’s good to remember that while these brownies have some beneficial elements, they should still be enjoyed in moderation. They’re a treat, after all!
Ingredients List
– 1 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour
– 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
– 1/2 cup granulated sugar
– 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
– 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
– 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
– 2 large eggs
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and diced
– 1/2 cup chocolate ganache (made from 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate and 1/4 cup heavy cream)
*Serves: Approximately 16 brownies*
How to Make Gluten-Free Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies?
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8 inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour, cocoa powder, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
3. In another bowl, combine the melted butter, chocolate chips, eggs, and vanilla extract. Stir until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth.
4. Slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
5. Gently fold in the diced strawberries, reserving a few for topping.
6. Pour the brownie batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly. Top with reserved strawberries and a sprinkle of additional chocolate chips if desired.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.
8. While the brownies are baking, prepare the chocolate ganache. Heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan until just simmering. Remove from heat and add the chocolate chips, stirring until melted and smooth.
9. Once the brownies are done, allow them to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Once cooled, drizzle the chocolate ganache over the brownies. Cut into squares and serve.
Sweet Tips and Serving Suggestions
– For an extra special touch, you could sprinkle some sea salt on top of the ganache before it sets. The sweet and salty contrast is absolutely divine!
– Want to make them even more indulgent? Serve these brownies with a scoop of your favorite vanilla ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream and a few extra strawberries on top.
– Feel free to swap the strawberries for other fruits like raspberries or even cherries! The chocolate will pair beautifully no matter what.
I really hope you give these Gluten-Free Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies a try! You won’t regret it—your taste buds will be thanking you later. And if you do make them, I’d love to hear how they turn out! Happy baking! 🍓🍫
