Fudge Brownies with Chocolate Ganache - my favorite brownie base, topped with easy ganache and decorated Valentine's Day style!
It's February!!! Yay! Can I get a high five for that! I am excited that it's February for two reasons: it should be the last cold month for us, here in Kansas and... it's a month filled with chocolate treats! We are celebrating love with chocolate - that's definitely something to be happy about.
When you are thinking chocolate, brownies definitely come to mind. Fudge brownies at that. How about we top them with a ganache and Hershey’s® chocolate hearts? Add some pink sprinkles just for fun!
I used my favorite brownie base, made with Hershey’s® cocoa powder, that always comes out super fudgy. This recipe has yet to fail me. It's very easy to make, one bowl and a whisk is all you need.
I made a very simple ganache and poured it over the top. It made for a perfect base for the sprinkles and chocolate hearts. I used Hershey’s® Special Dark chocolate, one of my serious weaknesses. I have several bars of it in my pantry.
I always look forward to buying a few bags of Hershey’s® chocolate hearts when Valentine's Day rolls around. They are perfect for those moments when a chocolate craving hits me or as a toppers for my treats!
I was just going to slice the brownies into squares as usual. But then I saw my new heart cookie cutter and decided to make a special heart brownie for my Hubby. 🙂 I love the chocolate hearts set in the ganache!
Fudge Brownies with Chocolate Ganache
Ingredients
!for the brownies:
- 10 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 c granulated sugar
- ¼ c packed dark brown sugar
- ¾ c + 2 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder (I used Hershey's)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- ½ c all-purpose flour
!for the ganache:
- 6 oz . semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks (I used Hershey's Special Dark)
- ¼ c + 2 tablespoon heavy whipping cream
- 1 ½ tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 ½ tablespoon corn syrup
!additional:
- 9 Hershey's Chocolate Hearts
- sprinkles
Instructions
!to make the brownies:
- Preheat your oven to 325 degrees.
- Line a 8"x8" baking pan with foil. Set aside.
- In a double boiler, melt together butter, sugars, cocoa powder and salt. Whisk together.
- When all the butter has melted and everything is mixed together, remove the bowl from the heat and set aside to cool. It should be warm but not hot or it will scramble the eggs.
- At this point, I poured the cocoa mixture into my stand mixer bowl and turned it on 2. Mix for 2 minutes. You can use whisk or wooden spoon.
- Add vanilla and stir.
- Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- When your batter looks shiny, it's time to add flour. Add it all at once and beat until it disappears in the batter.
- Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Bake 25 - 30 minutes.
- Cool completely before cutting.
!to make the ganache:
- Place chocolate in a small mixing bowl.
- Bring the cream, sugar and corn syrup to boil. Pour over chocolate. Do not stir. Let sit for at least 5 minutes. Stir until smooth. Pour over brownies. Let set for 3 minutes. Sprinkle with sprinkles. Arrange the chocolate hearts. Chill the brownies in the fridge until set, about 1 hour.
Nutrition
sandy says
Love dark chocolate, fudge brownies are my favorite treat.
Anna says
These look awesome. I can never find a really good brownie recipe....the box mix always turns out better for me 🙁 But these...these...THESE....look wonderful and I will try them! Thanks!
Joslyn says
These brownies look delicious! My favorite Hershey's bar would have to be the Hershey's air delight!
Kasey says
The Hershey's pot of gold Truffles Collection Milk and Dark Chocolate Heart Box is my favorite.
Mandi says
Can't go wrong with Hershey Kisses wrapped in Valentine's colored foil.
Molly says
wow! The brownies look awesome! Seem extra gooey, moist, and tasty!
Julie says
I like the hershey kisses thanks for the giveaway
Linda White says
Always have loved the big foil wrapped Hershey Kiss in a box!
Nadine in NC says
I didn't have to visit the Hershey's site to find my favorite product; it's Hershey's Bliss Dark Chocolate! I'm glad I did visit though because the paper kiss filled with Kisses is a great idea for someone I want to bless this Valentine's Day
Linda K. says
I still love the Hershey's Special Dark chocolate.
Kristin says
Hershey's Bliss in Special Dark Chocolate is my favorite weakness. 🙂
Julie Lee says
Love the hershey kiss containers! A cute way to deliver the gift!
Stacy | Wicked Good Kitchen says
So pretty, Anna! The cuteness for V-Day has definitely begun! Thanks for sharing, my friend. Pinning!
Gintare @Gourmantine says
These are beautiful and so indulging! I'd be very exited if February was the last cold month too, but alas, last year we head snow in March... Hope this year will be different 😉
CrunchyCreamySw says
Thank you so much, Gintare!
Karen says
I love that you used a heart cookie cutter to make a special brownie for your Hubby 🙂 Very cute! Also, I'm pregnant and love anything involving chocolate right now. Seriously, I'm not picky... ANYTHING!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Yay for chocolate cravings during pregnancy! Thanks, Karen!
Kelly Harrington says
Hershy just SAYS chocolate!!
Colette says
Chocolate on top of chocolate on top of chocolate with dainty li'l shprinkles.
That is love!
Lauren says
I know it's not chocolate, but the Twizzlers heart shaped nibs are so cute! I've never seen them before.
Erin Ellis says
I love their chocolate hearts, but when I saw the Chocolate Cherry Squares I had to print it out right away! Thank you for the wonderful giveaway.
Erin
fairyfractal at gmail dot com
Jessica says
Love that thick layer of ganache!
Cassie says
I did all of them 🙂
Cassie says
I like the Date Night basket
Melanie @ Carmel Moments says
My favorite has to be straight up Hershey Kisses. The good. The original.
Melanie @ Carmel Moments says
Oh, my! I just want to eat one of them now. For breakfast. That would totally be OK right? 🙂
CrunchyCreamySw says
It's always okay in my book! 🙂 Thanks, Melanie!
rachel says
I like Hershey's Pot of Gold with dark chocolate.HERSHEY’S POT OF GOLD Premium Collection Heart Box
Jill Stokes Hartley says
I love the family basket! How fun!
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
Anna, these are adorable. They look so dang fudgy. Yum!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Thanks, Jennie and thanks for the pin!
Curry and Comfort says
Who doesn't love Hershey's! I love fudge brownies too... very fun recipe. 🙂
CrunchyCreamySw says
Thanks, Ramona!
theresa krier says
i love the date night gift basket & the caramel roses. thanks, what a sweet giveaway
karen says
I like the chocolate heart assortment
Emily @ Life on Food says
I love the assorted chocolate hearts. I love Hershey's chocolate but it is so fun to have them heart shaped.