Chewy Fudgy Brownie Bears are baked in a cupcake pan, then topped with an adorable chocolate bear. Share these brownies as a Valentine's Day treat or any time you want to say how "beary" much you care about the special people in your life.
Why you'll love this recipe
- These brownies are chewy, fudgy, and super chocolaty.
- Brownie bears take less than an hour to make.
- Brownies decorated with a bear are simple to create with no special tools required.
- Baked in individual portions, these treats are easy to serve or package.
Chewy Fudgy Brownie Bears are made in a cupcake pan. Using cupcake papers makes it easy to remove the brownies from the pan and helps seal the edges, keeping the brownies fresh longer.
Transforming the brownies into bears is easy using just a few decorating items placed on top of the melted chocolate face.
These adorable bear brownies were included in a Valentine's Day care package along with Honey Graham Bear Cookies, sweet teddy bears holding garland of hearts. However, these fudgy treats would be welcome any time of year!
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. The full instructions are in the recipe card below.
Brownies
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the shortening, sugar, and eggs until light in color.
- Add in the dry ingredients, until combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.
- Scoop the batter into a lined cupcake pan.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes.
Decorating
- Combine ½ cup of melted chocolate discs with ½ cup of melted white chocolate discs.
- Spread about 2 teaspoons of the melted chocolate mixture on top of the brownie.
- Top the melted chocolate with a disc of chocolate for the snout, two candy eyes go above the snout, and two candy coated chocolates for ears.
- Use a toothpick to dot a tiny bit of melted chocolate on top of the snout as glue for the heart sprinkle nose.
Storage
Store decorated brownies at room temperature in an airtight container or zip lock bag for up to 2 weeks.
More Valentine's Day recipes
Valentine's Day Peanut Chews Candy Pops are chewy peanut butter candy coated in chocolate with holiday designs.
Sugar Cookie Roses are an edible bouquet! These beautiful cookies will surprise you The best part is how quick and easy they are to make because these cookies start with packaged sugar cookie dough.
Sugar Cookie Valentine Brownies are deliciously chewy, fudgy brownies with sugar cookie hearts on top.
Secret Kiss Cookies are one of our favorite recipes! These soft, cake-like cookies with a chocolate candy kiss hidden inside.
Rose Bud Butter Cookies are flaky, butter, and crusted in crunchy, sparkling sugar.
Chocolate Marshmallow Hearts are easy to make chocolate candies with mini marshmallows inside.
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Chewy Fudgy Brownie Bears
Ingredients
Brownies
- 1 ½ all-purpose flour
- 1 cup cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon espresso powder
- ⅔ cup butter-flavored vegetable shortening
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups mini chocolate chips
Decorating
- ½ cup dark melting chocolate
- ½ cup white melting chocolate
- 20 dark brown chocolate discs
- 20 pairs of candy eyes
- 20 small heart sprinkles
- 40 brown candy coated chocolate candies
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Prepare 2 12-cup cupcake pans with cupcake papers.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, salt and espresso powder. Set aside.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the shortening, sugar, and eggs. Beat until light in color and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
- Gradually add in the flour mixture, until combined.
- Stir in the mini chocolate chips.
- Use a large (¼ cup) scoop to portion the batter into the prepared pan (it will be thick), using a spatula or spoon to flatten and smooth the surface of each brownie.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes. The toothpick test doesn’t work very well because of all of the melting chocolate chips. If the top is firm after 15 minutes, take it out. (Mine baked for 18 minutes). Cool completely in the pan.
- When ready to decorate, melt the ½ cup of dark chocolate with the ½ cup of white chocolate. Stir until the color is uniform.
- Decorate one brownie at a time. Spread about 2 teaspoons of melted chocolate into a circle on top of a brownie. Immediately, add the chocolate disc snout, the candy eyes, and the candy coated chocolate ears. Use a toothpick to dot a tiny bit of melted chocolate on top of the snout as glue for the heart sprinkle nose.
- Store brownies at room temperature in an airtight container or zip lock bag for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
Nutrition
First Published: February 2, 2020. Last Updated: January 26, 2024. Updated for additional information and better reader experience.
Beverly
Oh, these cupcakes are so adorable. What a nice care package. The Honey Graham Bears are adorable too.
Thanks for sharing at Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop. Hope you come back next week so I can stop by again.
Bev
Agness of Run Agness Run
These beary chocolate brownies look so adorable! My nephews will adore them, must try this!
Monica
I can't resist a brownie and certainly not a brownie that is this cute! Great choice for Valentine's Day and a great care package. I also wish safe travels home for your soldier. I'm sure he enjoyed your thoughtful packages.
April J Harris
Wendy, I think it is wonderful what you do for the troops - what a lovely taste of home you send them! Your Beary Chocolate Brownie Bears are so cute and they look so tasty too. I'd love for you to share them at the Hearth and Soul Link Party this week if you have time. Pinning these!
Miz Helen
I just pinned your awesome Beary Chocolate Brownie Bears, we will just love these precicous cupcakes! Thanks so much for sharing it with Full Plate Thursday. Have a great week and come back to see us real soon!
Miz Helen
Carlee
These are just too cute! I am sure they were very appreciated too. You are always so creative!
The Monday Box
Thanks, Carlee! Everyone loves brownies and this recipe stays fudgy for a long time. Hopefully, the soldiers will both smile and enjoy! 🙂