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Aren’t these Valentine’s Brownies adorable? I think so.
When I was in college, I used to work at a teeny-bopper clothing store. About once a week, on my lunch break I would buy a treat at one of the cookie stores. I would either buy a chocolate chip cookie or a brownie topped with buttercream frosting. That store is long gone, and with two kids in tow I don’t make it to mall often anyway.
I’ve been craving one of those tasty brownies for a while now, but with my new dietary restrictions I just wasn’t sure how that was going to happen.
I realize there are a couple really good boxed mixes for gluten free brownies, but you know me, I like to bake from scratch when I can. So, three attempts later, I finally had a brownie that was perfect for this recipe idea.
If you aren’t in need of a special brownie recipe, try my traditional Decadent Chocolate Brownie recipe and Amazing Buttercream Frosting recipe to make these.
If you are making these, plan ahead! I found making the brownies the day before cutting to be easiest and then after cutting them and frosting them, they were perfect texture the following day. Can you do it all in one day…sure, but they are a bit gooey (more fudge-like and a bit sticky). Allowing them to dry out a bit really does help.
Get the look (these are my favs):
Heart-shaped Cookie Cutters
1M decorating tip
Red Dye
Valentine’s Brownies (Gluten-Free Brownies)
Gluten-free brownies are cut into heart shapes, then topped with dairy-free frosting for an allergy-friendly Valentine's Day treat! Perfect for classroom parties or to give to your special Valentine.
Ingredients
Brownies
- 3/4 cup rice flour
- 1/3 cup potato starch
- 3 tbsp tapioca starch
- 2/3 tsp xantham gum
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 cup coconut oil
- 1 cup cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 cup applesauce (room temp)
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Frosting
- 1 cup butter-flavored shortening
- 2 tbsp warm water (2-3)
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 lb confectioners sugar
Instructions
Brownie:
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line a 9x13 inch pan with parchment paper and spray with non-stick cooking spray.
- Combine flours, xanthum gum, and baking powder in a medium bowl. Mix well to combine.
- In large microwave safe bowl, melt coconut oil (if it's not already in a liquid state). Add in cocoa and sugar and mix well to combine. Stir in applesauce and vanilla.
- Blend in dry ingredients until incorporated. Pour into prepared pan and spread to edges of pan. Bake 30-35 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
- Using parchment paper pull the brownies out of the pan and place on a cutting board (I found doing this after brownies sit for one day to be easiest). Using a metal heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut out brownies and gently move to serving platter with a spatula.
- Decorate with frosting (recipe below).
Frosting:
- Beat together shortening, 1 tbsp of warm water, vanilla, and almond until smooth and creamy. Beat in the sugar gradually on a low setting. Scrape sides of bowl as needed.
- Mixture will be very thick. After all sugar is incorporated, add 1-2 more tbsp. of warm water and beat at medium/medium-high speed for 1-2 more minutes. Adding more warm water will continue to thin the frosting consistency and bring down the sweetness even more. Add as much as you like to get the appropriate flavor and consistency. Be careful because a little goes a long way.
- The frosting can also be made several days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature, then mix well before using. Leftovers should be refrigerated.
- Get the look by using a couple drops of red dye and us Decorating Tube 1M fitted into a piping bag.
Notes
Using a boxed mix or other brownie recipe will work just fine. Try this traditional brownie recipe if you aren't gluten-free, dairy-free, or egg-free.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 18 Serving Size: 1 brownieAmount Per Serving: Calories: 439Total Fat: 24gSaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 28mgSodium: 111mgCarbohydrates: 57gFiber: 1gSugar: 44gProtein: 2g
I loooooove brownies with frosting! I know exactly the ones from the cookie store you’re talking about and now I’m craving them too!
These look delicious Wendy!! Pinned!
oooh, yummm!! I love brownies so much…and while I’m not gluten-free, but I would make them your way in a heartbeat. These would be so perfect to have on hand for gluten-free guests on Valentine’s Day.
These little heart shaped brownies are just too cute!
So pretty!!
I am fond of sweet dish and this time your brownies was a hricane in my kitchen. my all friends loved it specialy my sister loved it the most. your dishes are awsom and i am now fond of your dishes. please provide me more.
I AM LOVING IT DEAR. 🙂
The brownies looks delicious. I think I’ll have some tonight.
Looks so awesome! We’re GF here and this fits the bill!
i’d have to stare at them for a minute before eating, and then not share them at all!
oh yumm!
These look delicious!
Those are SOO SWEEET!!!! I can’t wait to make these brownies for my kids and my man! They will all feel so loved when I serve them these!!
Ahh, those are the cutest brownies ever!
What a novel way of making brownies! I want to make some of these!
Those are too cute!
These are such cute Valentine’s Brownies. I love brownies and these are made so cute and they look so delicious!
These brownies are precious! What a lovely idea. I’m trying to decide what to do for my sweetie for Valentine’s Day. These are going on the list of possibilities! 🙂
Thank you for sharing!
I adore the decoration you’ve given to the humble brownie! Why should cakes and sugar cookies get all of the special piped frostings? We don’t have any dietary restrictions in our house but your recipe looks interesting. I’ve never used rice flour before and only used potato starch in bread!
These are truly special – thanks for sharing!
Too fun! I am going to try this!
those brownies are too cute to eat!!! But, I’d force myself ha ha
Great idea for Valentine,so cute and the brownies must be very tasty
I love the way the frosting looks, to bad mine wouldn’t turn out like that lol!
Those look good, but I would have to substitute the Rice Flour, I don’t know what it is but I have not found one recipe I like that is made with Rice Flour. Otherwise they are adorable and I will be trying them
Cute way to celebrate Valentine’s Day
Everybody loves brownies and these would be great for Valentines day with the cute toppings piped on them.
Tho it may be easier for me to use a brownie boxed mix instead of your recipe. Thanks for the idea.
Beautiful! Thank You!
these are so cute! I have never made my own brownies before. This would be great to try.
I’ll have to make these!
This brownies look delicious, thank you!
What a fun way to make a brownie pretty!
Wow, those look so good !!!
I truly believe home made gifts are the best!!
Love that they are gluten-free now to find low carb…lol
These look great! My family loves brownies & frosting so this is perfect!
Thanks for the recipe, these are really cute and look easy to make. Pinned for a future baking project!
these look delicious!
I never thought of decorating brownies for holidays. Thanks for the idea!
So cute! I just might have to try these
I will add this to my collection of Holiday Recipes. They look really good!
oh no..its amost that day!
What an AMAZING job you did frosting them!! Stunning!!
MMMM have to try this recipe! yum
Thanks for the recipe, I have a friend looking for GF recipe’s I will have to pass this on to her.
Looks good and easy. I will try this recipe for a February potluck luncheon.
These look delicious! What a perfect treat for my grandsons!
These are adorable. My son’s birthday is on Valentine’s Day and these would be fun to make.
These look so good! I’d be in heaven eating these.
These are really adorable. What a hit this would be with my husband and kids on Valentines Day.
My family would be so impressed if I made these for them. I may just have to.
Now these are so cute and yummy! Brownies and buttercream together, I would be in heaven.
These look so cute and delicious. I love brownies, but have never tried any with buttercream frosting. I will definitely be making these for my sweetie for Valentine’s Day. Thank you for sharing these recipes!
yum, yum, yum! brownies…. good…. LOL… thanks for sharing
Look very pretty & yummy!!
So pretty! And healthier! *pinned*
These valentine brownies look yummy – will definitely have to give them a try!
They look so pretty!
Those look amazing! My husband loves brownies so i will definately make these for him…yum
Those are beautiful brownies, almost too pretty to eat.
these brownies look delicious!
oh my…those look so good. brownies AND butter cream frosting!! what could be better than that? nothing.
Brownies are the perfect V-Day treat!
Is it really almost Valentine’s Day? Great recipe and alternative – trying to reduce wheat myself, and one thing I really miss are brownies!
Those are so adorable! I am loving all the recipes in Ziplist. I have planned the past two weeks of meals through it, and my kids have loved every single one! I’ve made a couple of yours. 🙂
Thanks for trying out some of my recipes. That totally made my day. 🙂
Thanks so much! It is really tough to find GF holiday recipes!
I hear ya, Ellen! I’ve been on a hunt for great allergy-friendly holiday recipes!
These are too cute! Thanks so much for sharing this – I repinned and hope to make these very soon! (I’m also hoping to make those PB Stuffed ones – yum!!)
Thanks Ang! Those PB stuffed ones are amazing!