Brownie, Cream and Fresh Fruit Tarts

Brownie and Fresh Fruit Tarts

I remember my first Valentine’s Day with my husband like it was yesterday. We had been dating just five months then, and for our Saturday night date I nervously slinked into my first little back dress in the tiny bathroom of his college apartment. I slipped on a pair of matching pumps, he twirled a gray tie around his neck, and we were off to the Boston symphony! Just a couple of kids pretending to be grown-ups for one night…

It was that night that made this teenage farm girl feel indescribably glamorous and fully “arrived” in the big city, but stuffy has never been my style. After an hour of piano playing and playful winks, we ditched it early, called a cab and got cheeseburgers. I couldn’t have been happier to slip out of those painful black pumps, and who cared that the tickets sucked up what little savings I had to spend as a college freshman?

Times like those make for good stories, I always say.

All of our Valentine’s days since that experiment in being adults long before necessary have been much more fun, thankfully. Some years, we’ll exchange heartfelt gifts or cook each other a meal, and once in a while, the holiday just goes unnoticed altogether. That’s fine. Every lady, like me, should get flowers on random Tuesdays and hear “I love you” every day of the week.

Cocoa Brownies

Last year, we had friends over to celebrate with a scrumptious dinner for four. This year, though, Mark and I will exchange small gifts, cook dinner at home and enjoy a delicious dessert made with love, like these brownie and fresh fruit tarts.

Whipped Cream and Raspberries

Using freshly whipped cream, a few handfuls of berries, my beloved cocoa brownie recipe and a drizzle of caramel, this decadent dessert was pure heaven! All I did was bake a batch of my Best Cocoa Brownies, whipped up some Vanilla Whipped Cream, and topped it off with our favorite fruits. Simple, straightforward and so scrumptious. Not to mention, a romantic dessert for two!

Whipped Cream Brownies

I hope that however you spend this holiday, you give love and feel loved in some way. Whether it’s with family, friends, a new flame or a long-time love, take the time to appreciate them, show your love and enjoy a little dessert together next Monday night!

Brownie Fresh Fruit Tarts
Happy (almost) Valentine’s Day from your favorite hopeless romantic of a food blogger!

Brownie, Cream and Fresh Fruit Tarts

Brownie, Cream and Fresh Fruit Tarts

Yield: 12 square OR 4 heart-shaped brownies

Ingredients

Brownie recipe:

  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1-1/4 cup white sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

Vanilla whipped cream (makes 2 cups):

  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar

To assemble, gather:

  • Brownies
  • Whipped cream
  • Fresh fruit, I used raspberries, strawberries and blueberries
  • Caramel sauce, optional
  • Pastry bag and large tip, optional

Instructions

  1. Brownie recipe:
  2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9-inch square pan.
  3. Melt 1/2 cup butter. Remove from heat and stir in sugar, eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Gently stir in 1/3 cup cocoa, 1/2 cup flour, salt and baking powder. Spread batter into prepared pan.
  4. Bake in preheated oven for 28-30 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes before cutting.
  5. Vanilla whipped cream:
  6. In a chilled, medium-sized bowl and using chilled beaters, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, and beat until soft peaks form. Store in the refrigerator.
  7. To assemble:
  8. Cut cooled brownies into desired shape with cookie cutters or a knife. Set aside.
  9. Using a pastry bag with a large tip (I used a Wilton 1M), or carefully with a small spoon, outline your desired shape with the whipped cream on top of the brownies. Place brownies on a plate and freeze for 20 minutes to harden the whipped cream slightly.
  10. After 20 minutes, top the tarts with your favorite fresh fruit, and if you’d like, drizzle with a little caramel sauce. Serve immediately.
  11. Enjoy!

Did you make this recipe?

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Join the Conversation

  1. What a cute little story! Thanks for sharing with us. I hope you and your hubby a great Valentine day. Your brownies look fantastic and the tart is out of the world!. Love the picture of you both.

  2. What a fabulous dessert! And a sweet story to go along with it. :-)

  3. I enjoyed your story about your first Valentines w/your Hubby. You seem like a down-to-earth person. :)

    Your heart-shaped brownies with cream and fresh fruit is the perfect Valentine or any day treat. Beautifully done!

  4. These looks so simple, yet sooo yummy! :)

  5. So simple yet delish sounding! Will have to try! and love the story. Sometimes being grown up isn’t that fun! My husband and I recently spent our “date” night out going to a burger joint. We ditched our reservations to a very upscale fav of ours just to enjoy burgers and fries being able to eat it all and take our time vs. 15 min. then off to play with two kiddos!!!

  6. What a special treat…I have one of those hubbies who just hates all holidays…boo on him..I will still celebrate with a nice dinner no matter what. This looks promising for dessert. have a nice night.

  7. Awww…love that love story and the photo of you two. You look so in IN LOVE!!And I’m in love with this dessert. Will you be my Valentine Georgia?;)

  8. Oh my goodness, where have you (and these brownies) been all my life? Your blog is just adorable and I loooove your photography!

  9. It was ‘destiny’ that you just commented on my blog…I was just on another blog for the 1st time..and you were the only comment on it. I had to click over and say hi.

    your recipes…and food pics…are beautiful!

  10. How cute and tasty are those!?! My husband would really love them and so would I.

  11. Adorable story! And seriously – I love you for this post. I would make them next year for Valentine’s but I don’t think I can wait that long. Love it!

  12. Awesome recipe. I am sure my family wud simply love it !

  13. Such a sweet story! What a nice way to dress up brownies for Valentine’s Day, a really beautiful presentation.

  14. Love the story..and the brownie dessert. Really special.

  15. Georgia, these are so beautiful! Thanks for sharing that sweet story with us. I hope you and your hubs have a memorable & wonderful Valentine’s day – how could you not with these treats!

  16. What a sweet story…and a beautiful dessert :) Definitely perfect for Valentines Day!

  17. How cute!! I love the heart shapes and the juicy raspberries on top! Perfect for valentines day! :)

  18. I love your blog- your photos are so beautiful! and im liking these heart shaped brownies- so cute!

  19. Hi, thanks for stopping by my blog! :)
    These brownie tarts look scrumptious, and so pretty too!

  20. Yummy…and perfect for Valentine’s! We’re on the same wavelength — raspberries and chocolate are featured in my latest post too! I love the combo of chocolate and berries…I always buy a few choc-dipped strawberries for us to have w/champagne on VDay. Then I go buy half-price VDay chocolates at Godiva on 2/15 ;)!

  21. 2 desserts in one, who could dream of a better idea !!

  22. Oh my goodness, I feel like these are just for me! Yum!

  23. These look incredible! Obviously, I love brownies – but topped with cream and raspberries just makes it even more heavenly. Gorgeous presentation.

    I look forward to following more of your creations throughout 2011

  24. Oh, Georgia, what a great story! I loved hearing that one…especially that you skipped out early and got some cheeseburgers. That would be Chris and I for sure!! Thanks for sharing that with us.
    As for the dessert…yea, no need to go out when you have that at home!!! YUM!!!

  25. the story brings a smile on my face. And my eyes can’t stop looking at your brownie tart!

  26. These look so delicious!!! And your blog is beautiful. Great job on the pictures!

  27. These are gorgeous! I’m definitely making these once I can get some good fresh berries again.

    I love the heart brownies :)

  28. Georgia, what a cute story. That totally seems like something I would do – cut out of the symphony early for some burgers. As cultured as I’d love to be, when it comes down to it I actually don’t.

    these brownies are so adorable, I love your nod to valentines day!

  29. Oh holy heaven, does that look good! I love this story and am so glad to be introduced to your blog!

  30. what darling little treats!

  31. These are calling my name!!! I know I say this every time….BUT, your pics are truly incredible!

  32. A very sweet story! And those raspberry tarts look marvelous. So are the photos!

  33. Oh yum these look delicious, raspberries and chocolate always go perfectly together, I bet they were heaven to eat!

  34. Such a sweet post. :)

    These treats are just beautiful. A perfect Valentine’s Day dessert.

  35. Those brownies look delicious! My hubby and I didn’t do anything our first Valentine’s Day together. We had just put deposits down for our wedding so I think we just cooked in? This year is our first year married, so I want to do something special!

  36. What a precious story. I met my husband when I was 19, and I so remembered those first painfully exciting months of courtship :-) These brownies look scrumptious. I hope you and your man have a wonderful Valentine’s Day.

  37. The symphony then cheeseburgers. Sounds perfect to me. :)

  38. This is such a sweet post and the brownies look amazing! I’ve bookmarked it for future (soon) use! And for the record, I’d pick cheeseburgers over a symphony any day :)

  39. I was planning on making heart shaped brownies for valentines and I would love to add the toppings for the ones I make for my husband. Yum! These look great!

  40. Such a sweet first Valentine’s. Love that y’all skipped out for cheeseburgers. That’s a good date! Beautiful brownies! Gorgeous photos.

  41. i keep happening upon your blog… It is gorgeous! I would love to one day take photos and create treats as pretty as yours!

    thanks for sharing!

    p.s. i am your newest follower!

  42. 5 stars
    This is absolutely stunning!

  43. 5 stars
    OMG those are absolutely mesmerising! Thank you for sharing

  44. 5 stars
    Oh my! These look soooo good and I am sure they taste delicious!!!! Thanks for posting!

  45. Hiii Georgia , so happyyyy to meet!
    Not only are u sweet, but u have a v wonderful blog too!
    These treats are all so wonderful and i love the French trip and coco powder that gave birth to ur lovely brownies!
    Oh i loveee Valrhona cacao powder totally too!
    I lovee ur stunning pics and ur Cannon XS seems to be doing wonderful in ur creative hands!
    Looking forward to more!And wishing u a Love filled sunshine Valentines by 365!
    Happy day!

  46. 5 stars
    These sound just heavenly. I agree though, Valentine’s Day should really be every day!

  47. 5 stars
    Beautiful post, Georgia! I loves these tarts…but anything with a brownie gets me EVERY (!) time! I hope you guys had a wonderful Valentines!

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