This is as simple as it gets, but those are the best recipes sometimes!
A lot of people make adorable sugar cookies iced beautifully for holidays, but I prefer a brownie to a cookie. So why not do these cutouts instead? Plus, you can eat all the brownie scraps that are leftover from the heart cutouts. It’s a perfect snack!
Has anyone else thought about how ironic it is that a month dedicated to eating healthfully is followed by a month all about chocolate? But hey, I’m not complaining.
There are much better sources for complaint at my local grocery store. Lines that are too long at checkout. Snow that doesn’t get cleared properly from the parking lot. People who bring more than 10 items into the express lane. People who leave their carts in parking spaces instead of returning them. Food products on the shelf for sale at half-price that are actually expired. Is that even legal?
How about we take some action and change things? One day Kenny got so exasperated at the expired cheese being sold that he threw it all into a box lying on the ground and gave it to the store manager. But that’s the only form of resistance I’ve seen.
How many of you have schooled someone in the express lane with too many items? If you have, tell me. And has anyone ever caught anyone else in the act of leaving a cart in a parking lot? That is such a pet peeve of mine!
What are your grocery store pet peeves? I want to know!
At least the stores have food, which we can use to bake lovely brownie heart cutouts. They’re a snap to make and a huge success, especially with kids. You can even make them with kids. I used my trusty brownie base, but you can also use a mix. It’s simple!
While you’re out there hassling with pet peeves, just look forward to the food you’re coming home to. And if you see grocery store injustice, fight back!
Ingredients
Brownies
1 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup unsweetened cocoa
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
4 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tablespoon salt
Frosting
one container store-bought vanilla frosting
red gel food coloring
pink sugar sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350. Line a 9 x 13 pan with foil and coat with cooking spray. Set aside.
- Melt the butter in the microwave and then stir in the cocoa until it dissolves completely. Add the sugar and stir until combined. Then, add the eggs and vanilla, and stir again until the mixture is smooth. Finally, add the salt and flour and mix again.
- Pour the brownie batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes until the brownies are set. Cool completely.
- When the brownies are cool, mix the red gel food coloring into the vanilla frosting until your desired shade of pink comes forth.
- Using a heart cookie cutter, cut out the heart shapes and place the hearts onto a sheet of wax or parchment paper. Frost the brownie cutouts and add sprinkles.
- Allow the frosting to set. Store covered.
3.1
https://justaboutbaked.com/brownie-heart-cutouts/
These look great to make with kids! And what’s better than brownies with frosting? Not a whole lot!
Michele @ Alwayzbakin recently posted…Valentine Slice and Bake Sugar Cookies
SO easy to make with kids!
Okay, these are preferable to me over ANY other cookie or dessert, seriously. And a gazillion times better than store bought!!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust recently posted…Easy Chocolate Creme Brulee for 2
Yep, pretty much! I’m not that into pretty cookies. Not as tasty as the other stuff!
Brownies are always my preferred form of dessert. My supermarket pet peeve is the terribly catchy (and annoying) jingle they play over the loudspeaker way too many times during their semi-annual “can-can sale”. The sales are great, but the jingle played on loop for an hour drives me up a wall. I put music or a podcast on, pop in my earbuds, and I only hear what I want to hear! These brownies look so chocolatey and delicious!!
Jessica @ Citrus Blossom Bliss recently posted…21 Day Fix Final Week and Results
Thank heaven I have never heard that jingle. I’d lose it!
Why have I never thought of this?! Such a great idea, Mir! I would love to eat a brownie cutout over a sugar cookie any day! Love the pretty frosting, too!
Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…30 Minute Thursday: Baked Ham and Cheese Roll-Ups
Thanks, Gayle! They’re a lot better than cookies!
I hate it when people leave the cart in the middle of the parking lot. How lazy do they have to be? I glare at people that do it haha.
It is always brownies over cookies for me and these look so good that I could eat them through the screen.
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy recently posted…Comment on Creamy Garlic Mushroom Pasta by DannyUK.com
And it cuts off parking spaces. So rude!
Well, since you asked, I can’t stand the people who drive constantly around the parking lot looking for the closest spot and block everyone else while they wait for someone to pull out. I have also seen the cart situation and have called people out on it. Oh the list goes on and on….. Let’s forget about that and talk about these brownies! Whoa, yo! I LOVE that pink frosting!
I know. Like vultures, right? Aaaaaah.
Wait – you have a whole month of chocolate? I guess I need to reconsider my single status as I usually wait until the day after V-day when all the chocolate is one sale to get my chocolate fix 🙂
BTW, Mir – I LOVE the idea behind these cutouts – eating brownie BEFORE Vday could actually make me celebrate Vday after all! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Shashi at RunninSrilankan recently posted…Sweet Potato Pistachio Bars
No, I buy it for myself, Shashi! My husband hates Valentine’s!
Those are so cute.. and simple!!! Love the dark and bright pink contrast! YUM! <3 – http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com
Thanks, chica! I’m all about pink frosting.
Perfect for making with young Chefs at home, Rally nice!
Amy@Frugale.org recently posted…Homemade Chicken and Oysters
They had a great time!
Give me a brownie over a cookie ANY DAY OF THE WEEK. It’s totally worth battling the supermarket for. 🙂
Kate @ Framed Cooks recently posted…Super Bowl Menu!
Absolutely. Brownies rule!
Oh MY. I think I know what I want for my Valentine’s Day treat! Brownies are the ULTIMATE chocolate treat in my opinion. And with frosting? I’m all in!
Yes. Back to basics every time with brownies!
Brownie with frosting over cookies any day!! These brownies look so good. I love it 🙂
Yeah, brownies totally win without any effort. Thanks!