I once made a big brownie pie, the size of a pizza, spread with sweetened cream cheese and adorned with fresh fruit. Our oldest daughter couldn’t have been more than 3 years old, I’m surprised she even remembers it. But when I asked her what she wanted for her birthday cake this year, she said, “that brownie pie with the cream cheese, it was soooooo good Mom!”
After having so much fun with the brownie heart sandwiches for Valentine’s Day, I decided to make Fudgy Mini Brownie Fruit Pies with Almond Cream Cheese. And I just happened to do a test run on March 13th, the day before Pi Day…which turned out pretty well for Hatti’s classmates when she brought in these mini brownie fruit pies to celebrate Pi(e)!
These brownies are fudgy and delicious, everything a good brownie should be. We topped them with almond (one of Hatti’s favorite flavors) cream cheese and fresh fruit that Hatti hand selected from the grocery store. They make just the most perfect birthday treat!
- Hatti, ready to move into “double digits”!
How can it be that our little girl is already 10 years old?!
What a joy you are, Hatti girl.
We love you so much.
Happy, Happy Birthday!
Ingredients
- 1/2 c. unsalted butter, diced
- 3 oz. unsweetened chocolate, chopped
- 1-1/2 c. sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tsp. instant espresso powder
- 1-1/2 tsp. vanilla
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 3/4 c. flour
- 12 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature
- 4 T. unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 tsp. almond extract
- 1-1/2 c. sifted powdered sugar
- Use any whole or cut fruit that you like, just be sure it's fresh, tasty, and beautiful!
Preparation
Preheat oven to 325°.
Fold a long piece of heavy foil into a 13" wide strip and fit it inside a 9" x 13" metal baking pan, leaving foil overhang on the 2 long sides. Spray the foil with nonstick spray.
Stir the butter and chocolate in a large heavy saucepan over very low heat until chocolate is melted. Remove from heat and whisk in the sugar, and then the eggs, 1 at a time. Whisk in espresso powder, vanilla, and salt. Then sift the flour over the chocolate mixture and stir to blend well. Transfer batter to prepared pan.
Bake brownies until slightly puffed and dry-looking and tester inserted into center comes out with some moist batter attached, about 20 minutes. Let cool completely in pan on rack.
Run a knife around the inside edge of the brownie pan. Use the overhanging foil as an aid and gently lift the brownies from the pan. The pan I used produces a brownie that is 1/2" thick. Be sure your cookie cutter is taller than 1/2". Press round biscuit cutter (mine was 2-1/4'' in diameter) firmly into the cooled brownie. Use a thin metal spatula to lift the cookie cutter filled with brownie from the foil. Gently press the brownie out of the biscuit cutter. Repeat the cutting process until your brownie looks like a big piece of swiss cheese. (And I hope you're eating up some of those brownie scraps!)
Beat together the cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy. Add almond extract and beat to combine. Slowly add sifted powdered sugar, beating well to remove any lumps.
Using a pastry bag fitted with a large plain round tip, pipe almond cream cheese onto each brownie round. I did a little bit of this and a little bit of that...just pipe it on in the design(s) of your choice.
Use both whole and cut fruits, depending on size. Decorate in the design(s) of your choice.
Source
Brownies recipe was heavily adapted from one of my very favorite brownies, a recipe originally from Bon Appetit magazine, July 2009.
I’m linking up with the following:
- Cheryl at TidyMom for I’m Lovin’ It (My Favorite Hair Dryer)
- Allison at Alli ‘n Son for Sweet Tooth Friday (Potato Chip Cookies)
These are totally adorable!
I need this…amazing!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar recently posted..Ozeri Pro Digital Kitchen Food Scale Giveaway Winner!
Those brownie pies are just beautiful, and they look incredibly delicious, too. Happy birthday to your sweet girl!
Natalie @ Cooking for My Kids recently posted..Our Story
Thanks, Natalie, I passed along your birthday greeting!
Happy birthday, Hatti! She is so sweet! I would love these for my birthday, Brenda, I love the fresh fruit!
Cassie recently posted..Brown Butter White Chocolate Pretzel Blondies
Thank you, Cassie!
Love the cute brownie pies!!! So colorful too! Happy Birthday to the lovely young lady
Ambika recently posted..Semolina Pizza Dough – Crispy & Chewy, best ever!!!
Thank you, Ambika!
I love brownie fruit pizza but these are adorable being sing-servings. And I bet that almond cream cheese is tasty.
Sure is tasty! I love almond flavoring along with fruit and chocolate…this recipe ties it all together. Yum!
So cute and delicious looking! What are you making for my birthday?!
By the way, almond cream cheese topping is the best idea I have heard in quite a while.
Jen @ Jen’s Favorite Cookies recently posted..Coconut Lime Sugar Cookies
The almond cream cheese is def the kicker!
I love the look of these! I want to try to make them soon!
What a special treat for Hatti. Doesn’t surprise me that she remembered the fruit pizza! The Brownie Fruit Pies are so colorful and yummy looking. Makes me hungry just looking at them.
We’re planning to make them again when you come to celebrate birthdays, yay!
That does look absolutley divine! Happy Birthday to your daughter as well, her name is awesome (its mine as well so I am biased!!!)
Harriet recently posted..Sony Ericsson Xperia X8
Thank you, Harriet! So is “Hatti” a version of Harriet that you actually use? My grandma’s name is Henrietta, which was not why we named our daughter that, but knew that “Hatti” was a spin-off of Henrietta.
That is so strange, I was named after a Henrietta as well! My mothers grandmother. I don’t use ‘Hatti’ but my friends have been known to call me ‘Hatty’ in the past but mostly Harriet. Or of my housemate has his way ‘oi Hazza!’ ha!
Harriet recently posted..Sony Ericsson Xperia X8
Love this, Harriet!
Happy Birthday Hattie! You are a beautiful girl with a smile that can light up a room (and a blog post). I love your Mom’s brownie fruit pies and I think they are the perfect dessert for a very special birthday celebration.
Paula recently posted..Bird’s Nests with Royal Icing
Thank you, my dear Paula. xo
I want these for MY birthday!!!
I’ll make a trade with you. My mini brownie fruit pies for your exquisitely decorated cookies? Have you ever done Wonder Woman? She’s my favorite.
Happy birthday to your daughter! These minis are almost as adorable as she is beautiful. I love how the fruit lights these up with color like they were decorated with fancy frosting (only healthier)! They’re elegant – for a party or even a wedding reception! Thanks for this post. I’m going to make these for my mom’s birthday coming up.
Cindy @ Once Upon a Loaf recently posted..Buttermilk and Honey Bread, Barbie and PB&J
You’re so right, Cindy. These are incredibly versatile. I already have a couple events I’m planning to use them for again. Hope you and your mom like them!
They grow so fast, it’s killing me!!! She’s gorgeous, and so are her birthday treats!
I know! I obviously want to see our children grow and thrive, but a part of me wants to just make time stand still! Thanks, Julia.
I remember turning 10. It was a big moment for me
Your little girl is so pretty, and she will get prettier each year. Man, I feel weird saying this because I’m only 8 years older, but still, it’s the truth.
These mini brownies look amazing. And the sound of almond cream cheese frosting has my mouth watering. I love the taste and smell of almond!
Thanks, Becca. Strangely, I remember turning 10, too. Mostly because I was finally allowed to get my ears pierced!
My middle daughter turns 10 in a couple weeks, I know she would love those too! Thanks for sharing!!
Aimee @ ShugarySweets recently posted..Lemon Pudding Cake
These look just fabulous- awesome birthday treats for a special birthday!
Your recipes always look so beautiful and delicious!
Thank you so much, Jen!
These look delicious and SO pretty!
The colors just pop on these brownies. Almost too pretty to eat. And Happy Birthday to Hatti. She’s adorable. (And, yes, mom, those little girls grow up too fast.)
Minnesota Prairie Roots recently posted..The gifts of the daffodil
Thank you, Audrey.
The added fruit to these pies, make it reasonable to have for breakfast right
lol – -these are stunning!! I love them, and I know they will certainly be make soon!!
Def reasonable to have for breakfast, in my book!
The added fruit to these pies, make it reasonable to have for breakfast right lol – -these are stunning!! I love them, and I know they will certainly be make soon!!
Living The Sweet Life recently posted..Trinidadian Peanut Punch
These are the epitome of the most beautifully presented brownies in the world
They look and sound like a dream!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Latest: Double Nutella Cheesecake Brownies
Choc Chip Uru recently posted..Happy Early Birthday JJ! (Traditions of March #3)
These look so adorable I want to pick one from my screen!
A very Happy Birthday to the sweet girl
Happy Birthday to Hatti! She clearly has inherited her mom’s excellent taste buds!
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen recently posted..Canon and Nikon Camera Lens Mug Giveaway
Happy birthday to Hatti! These treats seem like a wonderful way to celebrate such a special day. They look so decadent and fruity-tuity – a wonderful combination!
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious recently posted..No Bake Chewy Chocolate Chip Granola Bars
These look scrumptious!
Happy birthday Hatti – looks like you had some tasty birthday treats!
CJ @ Morsels of Life recently posted..Free Book: Dinners Made Easy
What a creative and delicious idea! Sounds like the test run went well – thanks for sharing the great recipe!
These was the cutest idea ever! And I had to try them! I made them the day I saw your recipe! Thanks so much for the wonderful idea, they are great for parties and desserts; they taste amazing!
Thank you, Maya – I’m so happy you liked them!
I followed the recipe exactly for the brownies and even after 35 minutes in the oven they did not set. The top was still runny. I tried refrigerating it in the pan and it turned into a very chewy fudge type substance. Disappointing since I was making them for my son’s birthday.
I’m sorry to hear about your experience with these brownies, Megan. I’m really not sure what the matter could be. This recipe is one that I make, in different forms, almost monthly. I have never once had an issue with it. I do hope you’ll give it another try.