Valentine's Day Heart Shaped Brownies for Kids
Nothing says Valentine’s Day like a heart shaped treat! And showering our kiddos with sweet treats and heartfelt gestures is a must.
But let’s be honest, sometimes those heart-shaped cookies and sugary candies are less than ideal for our familys’ health goals.
This year, let’s bake with love and a sneaky sprinkle of nutrition with my Heart-Shaped Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting that even has hidden veggie inside!
How to Sneak Vegetables Into Brownies
These adorable, heart-shaped brownies hold a sneaky little secret: zucchini.
Don’t worry!
Pureed to a smooth consistency, your little ones won’t even suspect a thing as they savor the rich chocolatey flavor and creamy frosting.
Once steamed and pureed, zucchini is like a blank canvas both with taste and texture, and is a great accompaniment to baked goods, especially chocolate.
It’s the perfect way to sneak in some vitamin B6 without sacrificing flavor.
How To Make Brownies Heart-Shaped
This recipe isn’t just about hidden veggies, though. It’s about creating sweet memories through baking. One way to do this is creating fun shapes out of the brownies. And since we’re focused on Valentine’s Day, a heart shape is perfect.
To do this stamp the brownies with a heart-shaped cookie cutter. Then pipe or spread colorful cream cheese frosting. Top it off with some sprinkles.
And there you have it… adorable heart-shaped brownies, perfect for sharing and celebrating love.
It’s a win-win situation: a treat that’s both delicious and guilt-free, a day filled with bonding memories, and perfect for showing your loved ones you care about their health as much as their happiness.
Final Thoughts
This Valentine’s Day, let’s ditch the predictable and embrace the fun! Bake up a batch of these brownies and watch smiles bloom alongside delicious memories.
Follow the full recipe below, complete with tips and tricks to ensure your brownies are both adorable and veggie-packed. Remember, love is in the air, and it can definitely be in the oven too!
Heart Shaped Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting and Hidden Veggies
Equipment
- 8x8 pan
- Parchment Paper
- heart shaped cookie cutter (or shape of choice) optional
- Standing mixer
- 3 Piping Bags optional
- 3 Piping tips (pick your favorites!) optional
Ingredients
For the Brownies
- 12 oz. pureed zucchini
- 1/2 cup 1 stick unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temp
- 1.5 cups powdered sugar
- 4 tablespoons butter (1/2 of a stick), softened to room temp
- Pinch of Salt
- Splash of milk, as needed
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- Food coloring (I used red, purple, and pink) optional
- Sprinkles optional
Instructions
Bake the Brownies
- Preheat oven to 325°F (150°C) and grease a 8x8 inch baking pan with butter or line with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together pureed zucchini, melted butter, sugars, and egg until well combined. Stir in vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in two batches, mixing just until combined. Do not overmix!
- Pour batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs. Do not overbake, as the brownies will continue to set as they cool.
- Let cool completely in the pan before cutting into heart shapes.
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- Using the standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter for 2-3 minutes until light in color.
- Add the cream cheese and mix for another 2 minutes, scraping down the bowl as needed.
- Slowly add the powdered sugar in stages with the mixer on low and drizzle in milk if it becomes too thick. Add the vanilla.
Optional
- Split the frosting into 3 bowls and mix with food coloring in each separate bowl.
- Pick out your favorite piping tips and bags and spoon each colored frosting into its own piping bag.
- Decorate the brownies with the frosting, sprinkles and enjoy!
Alternative Decorating Options
- If not into the skip to spreading onto the brownies with a spoon, knife or offset spatula.
- Get the kiddos involved, and have fun decorating!
