This Strawberry Brownies recipe features soft and chewy, strawberry-infused bars topped with strawberry glaze. Using only fresh, juicy strawberries and freeze-dried strawberries, this delightful pretty-in-pink treat boasts all-natural strawberry flavor and color!
If you’re already a fan of my lemon heaven bars, then you need to make this Strawberry Brownies recipe ASAP! These pretty-in-pink strawberry bars have the same soft and chewy bite as those lemon bars, but with delicious strawberry sweetness. It’s another heavenly recipe that I can’t wait for you to try!
Why We Love This Recipe
My family adores a good brownie – my mom’s brownies recipe has been a longtime favorite, in all its rich and fudgy chocolate glory. So it’s no wonder that we like this berry rendition!
- Real strawberries. Unlike other strawberry brownies recipes out there, my recipe uses only real strawberries (fresh and freeze-dried) to infuse these bars with fruity strawberry flavor. No artificially-flavored strawberry cake mix or strawberry extract here. Also, no artificial color. Just pure strawberry goodness!
- Brownie-like texture. While this strawberry brownies recipe isn’t technically a true brownie with chocolate, it’s named that because of its moist and chewy brownie-like texture.
- So pretty! Just take a look at those pretty layers, with pink-hued bars draped in a glossy pink glaze!
What Makes Strawberry Brownies Pink?
My strawberry brownies are naturally pink because I use only freeze-dried strawberries and the sweetest fresh strawberries. I process the freeze-dried strawberries into a powder, to incorporate into the brownies. Then I create a simple strawberry puree with the fresh strawberries, to add to both the brownies and the glaze.
Note that many other strawberry brownie recipes use artificially colored cake mixes and food coloring!
Ingredient Notes
Gather up these ingredients – let’s make some strawberry brownies! Scroll down to the printable recipe card at the end of this post for the exact ingredient amounts.
FRESH STRAWBERRY PUREE
- Strawberries – Make sure to use very fresh berries that are perfectly sweet and juicy and fragrant.
- Sugar – Granulated sugar adds extra sweetness.
STRAWBERRY BROWNIES
- Flour – All-purpose flour gives the brownies structure. Make sure to measure using the spoon and level method.
- Sugar – Granulated sugar sweetens the brownies and enhances the flavor of the strawberries.
- Freeze-dried strawberry powder – This adds more natural strawberry flavor and red color to the brownies. You can find sliced freeze-dried strawberries with other dehydrated fruits in your grocery store. Use a food processor to turn them into a powder or grind them by hand.
- Baking powder – This gives the brownies a bit of rise.
- Salt – To balance out the sweetness of the brownies and add a touch of contrasting flavor.
- Butter – For rich flavor and moist texture.
- Eggs – These help bind the brownie batter together, plus add rich flavor and texture.
- Strawberry puree – For beautiful all-natural strawberry flavor and color.
- Vanilla – Pure vanilla extract enhances the sweetness and flavor of the strawberries.
STRAWBERRY GLAZE
- Powdered sugar – This is used to sweeten and thicken the glaze.
- Strawberry puree – For yummy strawberry flavor and pretty color.
- Milk – Use whatever kind of milk you prefer to thin the glaze.
- Vanilla extract – This adds a touch of soft, comforting flavor.
How to Make Strawberry Brownies
These from-scratch strawberry brownies are easy to make. I’ve included some photos below to guide you. Find the detailed instructions in the recipe card lower down.
- Make strawberry puree. Combine the strawberries and granulated sugar in a blender, and puree until smooth.
- Prep. Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9” by 13” pan.
- Combine dry ingredients. Whisk together the flour, sugar, freeze-dried strawberry powder, baking powder, and salt.
- Mix the wet ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk the melted butter, eggs, strawberry puree, and vanilla extract.
- Combine & add to pan. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, then spread batter into prepared pan.
- Bake. Place in oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. Then let the bars cool.
- Make glaze. Whisk all the glaze ingredients together.
- Add glaze. Pour the glaze over the cooled brownies, then place in the fridge to chill for 2 hours.
Tips & Variation Ideas
This is a straightforward recipe, but here are a few tips to ensure success. I also include easy variation ideas below if you wish to change it up a bit.
- Line the pan. If you want super clean cuts to your brownies, I recommend lining the baking pan with parchment first. This will help you lift the bars out of the pan for easier cutting.
- Not quite perfect strawberries? I only make these bars when I have really wonderful strawberries. But if you’re dying to make this recipe and your strawberries could use a boost of flavor and/or color, feel free to add a little strawberry extract and/or red food coloring to the strawberry puree.
- Cooking Times May Vary: Be sure to keep an eye on your brownies while they’re baking, as oven temperatures can vary. They’re ready when a toothpick comes out just clean from the center of the brownies.
- Chill thoroughly. Like my lemon heaven bars, these strawberry brownies benefit from being chilled…at least, that’s my own personal opinion. I like how the bars set up and become cool and chewy!
- Add-ins: You can play around with this recipe by stirring some add-ins into the bars. Try chopped freeze-dried strawberries, chopped white chocolate, mini chocolate chips, sprinkles, or shredded coconut.
- Top the glaze. Add a light sprinkle of crushed freeze-dried strawberries over the top of the glaze. Or add some fresh strawberry slices to individual brownies.
- Swap out the glaze. Instead of the strawberry glaze, spread strawberry frosting over the bars.
- Try raspberries! You can use this same general idea to make raspberry brownies – instead of the strawberry puree, make a raspberry puree with 2 cups of raspberries mixed with 1/2 cup of sugar. And, use freeze-dried raspberries in place of the strawberries.
How to Store
You have a few options when it comes to storing leftover strawberry brownies, and I’ve detailed them for you below:
- Counter – Place leftover brownies in a single layer in an airtight container and keep them on the counter for up to two days.
- Fridge – To keep brownies a bit longer, place the container in the fridge and store for up to four days. I prefer to eat these chilled, anyway!
- Freezer – Place the brownies in a freezer-safe, sealable bag or container, in a single layer, and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw the brownies completely in the fridge before serving.
More Strawberry Recipes
Strawberry Brownies
Ingredients
Strawberry Puree
- 2 cups hulled and halved fresh strawberries
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
Strawberry Brownies
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- ¼ cup freeze-dried strawberry powder, see Notes
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon Morton kosher salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 4 large eggs
- ½ cup strawberry puree, from above
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Strawberry Glaze
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons strawberry puree, from above
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
Strawberry Puree
- Add strawberries and granulated sugar to a blender or food processor and process until completely smooth. Set aside.
Strawberry Brownies
- Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly spray a 9” by 13” baking pan with nonstick baking spray – or line it with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, freeze-dried strawberry powder, baking powder, and salt.
- In a small bowl, whisk melted butter, eggs, strawberry puree, and vanilla extract. If desired, add a drop of red food coloring.
- Gradually add wet ingredients to dry ingredients, stirring until just combined.
- Transfer brownies batter to prepared pan and smooth into an even layer. Bake 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out just clean. Remove pan from oven and set on a rack to cool completely.
Strawberry Glaze
- In a small bowl, whisk all glaze ingredients until well combined. Glaze should be thick yet spreadable – if it's too thick, add a small splash of milk. If too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar.
- Pour glaze over the cooled brownies and then place pan in the fridge to chill for 2 hours, or until the glaze is set. Then slice and enjoy.
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