Balsamic Strawberry Brownies

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Slices of strawberry brownies

I like brownies. No, check that. I love brownies. The only flaw in brownies, as far as I can see, is the fact that we always make them in that annoyingly small 8X8 pyrex dish. At my house that only feeds four of us. I’m just being completely honest with you guys.

One way to get more mileage out of the flawed, 8X8 brownie set up, is to make cute little mason-jar brownie sundaes. Which we did. For the record, you can’t shove 1/4 of a brownie recipe in a small mason jar. We tried. The small mason jar can hold only 1/4 of 1/4 of the brownie recipe. Which means you could actually feed 16 people if you were to make Balsamic Strawberry Brownies Sundaes in petite mason jars. Now the 8X8 pyrex dish is working with us, not against us. Plus it looks reallyyyy cute.

Balsamic vinegar and strawberries are natural playmates. They love each other. You might even say they bring out the best in each other. Throw in chocolate and it’s the trifecta. Messing with this recipe took me back to a time, several years ago, when I decided to make a super slutty chocolate balsamic cake. It was sublime. I loved it. It had that little something that says, hey, I’m interesting…take another bite…like I need the prodding…

Let’s get our strawberry brownies on.

California Strawberry Commission Takeover Recipes
Strawberry Cardamom Torte | Strawberry Freekah Salad | Balsamic Strawberry Brownies

Balsamic Strawberry Brownies | recipe via DisplacedHousewife | quick + easy brownie recipe with some balsamic + strawberry jazz hands...these make AMAZING brownie sundaes!!! xo

Balsamic Strawberry Brownies | recipe via DisplacedHousewife | quick + easy brownie recipe with some balsamic + strawberry jazz hands...these make AMAZING brownie sundaes!!! xo

Balsamic Strawberry Brownies | recipe via DisplacedHousewife | quick + easy brownie recipe with some balsamic + strawberry jazz hands...these make AMAZING brownie sundaes!!! xo

Balsamic Strawberry Brownies | recipe via DisplacedHousewife | quick + easy brownie recipe with some balsamic + strawberry jazz hands...these make AMAZING brownie sundaes!!! xo

Balsamic Strawberry Brownies | recipe via DisplacedHousewife | quick + easy brownie recipe with some balsamic + strawberry jazz hands...these make AMAZING brownie sundaes!!! xo

Balsamic Strawberry Brownies

Makes 4 (if you’re greedy) to 9 (if you don’t mind sharing) or 16 (if you’re making mason jar sundaes)

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 1/4 cups semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
  • 1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter, cut into 8 pieces
  • ¼ cup sunflower seed oil (or other neutral veggie oil)
  • 1/2 cup of light brown sugar, packed
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon best quality balsamic vinegar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup bread flour or all-purpose flour*
  • 2/3 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 ½ cups fresh strawberries, cleaned, hulled and halved
  • 1 tablespoon sea salt flakes to sprinkle on top

*I tested this with both bread and all-purpose flour and found that both worked great with little (if any) noticeable differences.

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Make sure you have a rack in the middle of the oven.
  2. Butter or use nonstick spray on a 8X8 pan. If you’re feeling it, put parchment paper in there…you’ll need to cut it so that it fits nicely. Using parchment paper will make it easier to pull the brownies out of the pan when done.
  3. In a large, microwave-safe bowl add your chopped semi-sweet chocolate, butter and sunflower seed oil. Microwave on high for 1 minute. You could also use a double boiler for this step…I find that the microwave is quicker with less clean up. Do not overheat your chocolate. Stir the chocolate-butter mixture until smooth and free of lumps.
  4. Add the brown sugar, granulated sugar and balsamic vinegar to the chocolate and stir until completely blended.
  5. Add the three eggs to the chocolate mixture and stir until well-mixed.
  6. Now you have two options at this point. You can either whisk your dry ingredients (flour, cocoa powder, salt and baking powder) in a separate bowl or you can sprinkle directly on top of the chocolate mixture. I do the latter which is totally baking sacrilege. But I have seriously tested this so many times and it works just fine. I do like to make sure that I sprinkle the baking powder all over so it’s not just dumped in one spot. Let your conscience be your guide. You have to admit the idea of dirtying just one bowl is pretty exciting?
  7. Mix the brownie batter until it is JUST combined. Do not over-mix.
  8. Pour the batter into your prepared 8X8 dish. Use the back of your spoon to even the top a bit. Additionally tap the dish on the counter a couple of times to release any air bubbles from the batter. Place the strawberry halves, cut side down, on top of the brownie batter.
  9. Put the dish with the brownies in the oven on the middle rack for 25 minutes. When done, they will have a bit of jiggle in the middle and if you test with a toothpick a wee bit of batter will coat it. This is a good thing.
  10. Now here is the most challenging part of brownie making…letting them sit there for 1-2 hours (or more) to cool. It’s brutal. And beyond my capabilities. Which is why my brownies are never cut perfectly. In fact I read that if you put your brownies in the fridge to cool they will be extra chewy and fudgy. I’ve never been able to wait long enough to try that. Let me know how that works out for you.
  11. When it’s time to cut the strawberry brownies, use a very sharp knife (a bread knife works great), cut straight up and down and use a wet paper towel to clean off the knife and get as clean of a cut as possible. These are UBER fudgy…the longer you wait to cut them, the better they will look.
  12. These become even more seductive and forthcoming when topped with vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce + more strawberries.

This post was done in collaboration with the California Strawberry Commission.

On My Mind

–Rebecca xoxo

Comments

Leave a Comment & Rate this Recipe

I love your comments, reviews and questions! If you love this recipe, please rate it when you leave a comment. Star ratings 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 help people discover my recipes. Your support means a lot, I look forward to chatting with you!

Rebecca xox

19 Comments

  • Kylynn Leblanc October 6, 2022 at 10:48 AM

    How can I get them chewy Vs fudgey? Maybe using dark brown sugar? Or possible subbing half sugar for molasses?

    Reply
    • Rebecca Firth October 18, 2022 at 2:23 PM

      Hi! I don’t think this is the best recipe to be chewy, to be honest. It was specifically made to be fudgy. If you do make edits, let us know!! xo

      Reply
  • Marita November 7, 2021 at 9:33 PM

    Hi Rebecca
    Since this recipe has become a personal favourite, I think I owe you a thank you. I asked a friend to bake it for the dessert at my daughter’s 21st in 2018. Made it again for my mom’s 75th in 2019. Then as a lockdown surprise for her 76th in 2020. Last week I had friends over for a garden tea party to celebrate spring. I somehow couldn’t find strawberries on the day, so I substituted them for fresh cherries. It worked, but the cherries didn’t have the same presence as the strawberries. They kind of disappeared.
    I am voting for yours as the best brownie recipe ever.
    Love and blessings from sunny South Africa.

    Reply
    • Rebecca Firth November 11, 2021 at 4:34 PM

      This is the nicest note, thank you so much!!! Stories like this make my day. Heaps of love to you in South Africa!! xox

      Reply
  • WenDee June 19, 2017 at 12:22 PM

    Hi there, just tried your recipe and waiting for it to cool in 2hrs time. Am
    In a tropical country and humidity is high . May I ask if this brownie keeps well at room temperature or better in the fridge . Thank you .

    Reply
    • Rebecca Firth June 19, 2017 at 1:09 PM

      Hi WenDee! If it’s humid, I would keep them in the fridge…I think the berries could get funky. I hope you love them!! xox

      Reply
  • LaurenZ May 22, 2017 at 11:32 PM

    Can I make these a day before? Are they ok to sit out for a day with the strawberries?

    Reply
    • Rebecca Firth May 23, 2017 at 1:32 AM

      Hi Lauren! I wouldn’t have them sit out for more than 12ish hours or the strawberries will get a little funky. I hope you love them!! xoxo

      Reply
  • Paige Sorger September 19, 2016 at 9:08 PM

    These turned out sooooo good. Making them again today. I did bake them a smidgen longer than you suggested though but they still came out fudgey. Love the combination of flavours! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • DisplacedHousewife September 20, 2016 at 3:15 AM

      Hi Paige! I’m SO glad that you like them and are making them again today!!! I do like to underbake them and I was actually just worrying about that over the weekend…If you happen to pop back over here I would love to know how long you baked them so we could share with other people that make them. Happy baking!! xoxox

      Reply
  • Cathy | whatshouldimakefor.com September 14, 2016 at 4:15 AM

    no joke. my 10 year old has asked to live with you. his two favorite things in this world (other than his mom eh hem) are strawberries and chocolate. i showed him your post and mind. blown. hope you’re ready for a shipment of a very sweet, yet somewhat picky 10 year old.

    Reply
    • DisplacedHousewife September 14, 2016 at 6:58 PM

      My son would love to have another boy around — send him over!!! Minecraft + brownies = perfect boy day. xoxo

      Reply
  • Amisha September 13, 2016 at 11:09 PM

    Beautiful brownies! Great treats for kids right? I love the texture of your brownies!! sooo gooey and delicious!!

    Reply
  • AnitaCuisine September 8, 2016 at 10:57 AM

    This looks so good ! I will try to make it tonight ! :)

    Reply
  • Monique@The Urban Mum September 7, 2016 at 1:44 AM

    How could I not love all of your recipes…your photography is sublime…My boys adore Brownies (and I suspect quite a few of your other baking treats…) – signing up for your regular news. Xx

    Reply
    • DisplacedHousewife September 7, 2016 at 3:35 AM

      Awwww, thanks Monique!!! That’s so nice to hear!! Going to check out your site now!! xoxo

      Reply
  • Laura | Tutti Dolci September 6, 2016 at 10:40 PM

    These look so perfect and fudgy! <3

    Reply