Brownies with Pink Frosting

My daughter burst into the kitchen last Valentine's Day wanting to bake something "pink and chocolatey" for her class party. We'd never made frosted brownies before, honestly seemed like too much work for a Tuesday afternoon, but her excitement was impossible to resist.

When we pulled that first batch from the oven, the kitchen filled with that unmistakable brownie perfume. She stood on her tiptoes watching me swirl the pink frosting across the top, declaring it the most beautiful thing she'd ever seen. Her teacher asked for the recipe the next day.

Ingredients

• Unsalted butter: Use room temperature for the frosting to achieve those silky smooth peaks without any gritty texture
• Granulated sugar: Creates that crackly shiny top that everyone loves on a good brownie
• Large eggs: Room temperature eggs incorporate better and give you that fudgy texture we're after
• Vanilla extract: Don't skimp here, pure vanilla makes both the brownie and frosting taste homemade
• Unsweetened cocoa powder: Dutch process gives you that deep dark chocolate flavor without being bitter
• All purpose flour: Just enough to hold everything together while keeping the center dense and rich
• Salt: Enhances the chocolate flavor like nothing else can
• Baking powder: Gives the brownies just enough lift without making them cakey
• Powdered sugar: Sifting first prevents lumps in your frosting
• Whole milk: Makes the frosting spreadable and creamy
• Red food coloring: Start with one drop, you can always add more for that perfect pink

Instructions

Preheat your oven:

Set it to 350°F and line your square pan with parchment paper, those paper handles make lifting the brownies out so much easier later

Melt the butter:

Warm it gently in a saucepan over low heat, then pull it off the stove and stir in the sugar until it dissolves into the warm butter

Add wet ingredients:

Whisk in your eggs and vanilla, taking care to temper them slightly so they don't scramble from the residual heat

Combine dry ingredients:

Fold in the cocoa, flour, salt, and baking powder just until you no longer see streaks of flour

Bake to perfection:

Pour the batter into your prepared pan and bake 25 to 30 minutes, pulling them out when a toothpick comes out with those desirable moist crumbs

Let them cool completely:

This is the hard part, but frosting warm brownies will give you a melty mess

Make the frosting:

Beat the softened butter until creamy, then gradually work in the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until fluffy

Add the pink:

Drop in food coloring one drop at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition

Frost and serve:

Spread that beautiful pink frosting over your completely cooled brownies and cut into squares

Save

Now whenever pink frosting appears in our kitchen, my daughter immediately asks if we're making "the Valentine brownies." Some recipes become part of your family's story like that.

Getting That Perfect Pink

Gel coloring gives you more vibrant results with less liquid, which can thin your frosting. Work in natural light if possible, artificial lighting can trick your eyes into adding too much color.

Making Them Ahead

These actually taste better on day two when the frosting has had time to meld with the brownie. Store them in a single layer or place wax paper between stacked squares.

Customizing Your Batch

Toast some nuts at 350°F for 8 minutes before folding them into the batter for extra crunch. A teaspoon of instant espresso powder deepens the chocolate flavor without making these taste like coffee.

• Swap the milk for heavy cream for an even richer frosting
• Add sprinkles immediately after frosting before it sets
• Try cream cheese instead of butter for a tangier pink frosting

Save

Hope these pink frosted beauties find their way into your kitchen and create some sweet memories of your own.

Recipe FAQs

→ How can I ensure fudgy brownies?

Use real butter and avoid overmixing the batter to maintain a dense, moist texture.

→ What gives the frosting its pink color?

A few drops of red food coloring are blended into the creamy frosting for a soft pink hue.

→ Can I add nuts to the brownies?

Yes, incorporating chopped walnuts or chocolate chips into the batter adds texture and flavor.

→ What is the best way to spread the frosting?

Ensure the brownies are completely cooled before spreading frosting for a smooth, even layer.

→ How should I store these brownies?

Keep brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days to preserve freshness.