Name: Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies Recipe
Prep time: 55 min
Cook time: 37 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 18.3 ounce box brownie mix; 3.9 ounce box chocolate pudding mix; ⅔ cup whole milk; ½ cup vegetable oil; 2 large eggs; 1 cup fresh strawberries (about ½ of a 1 pound package), hulled and cut in half; 12 ounce (3 4-ounce) bars semi-sweet baking chocolate; 1½ cups heavy whipping cream; 2 tbsp salted butter

If you love fudgy, chocolatey treats with a fresh fruity twist, you are going to adore this Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies Recipe. It’s one of those desserts that feels both indulgent and special — perfect for sharing or treating yourself on a cozy night in.

The image shows a square chocolate dessert in a clear glass dish on a white marbled surface. The dessert has three main layers: the bottom layer is dark brown and moist chocolate cake, the middle layer features fresh red strawberries cut in half, placed side by side with their bright red interiors facing outward, and the top layer is a thick, smooth, and glossy chocolate ganache with slight ripples, covering the strawberries and the cake evenly. One piece is missing from the dish, revealing the clean edges between the layers and the juicy strawberry slices in the middle. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I can’t get enough of how these brownies come out so rich and fudgy with that glossy chocolate ganache swirling over juicy, fresh strawberries. It’s a dessert that’s truly as beautiful as it is delicious!

Rich and Moist Brownies: The addition of chocolate pudding mix really amps up the fudgy texture you crave.
Fresh Strawberry Topping: Halving fresh strawberries adds a bright, juicy surprise in every bite.
Decadent Chocolate Ganache: Made with semi-sweet baking chocolate and heavy cream for a luxurious finish.
Simple to Make: Using a boxed brownie mix and a straightforward ganache means less stress, more fun.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Before we dive in, here’s a quick rundown of the ingredients you’ll need. I like to pick fresh, ripe strawberries and good-quality semi-sweet baking chocolate to make sure every element shines. Using a brownie mix with chocolate pudding powder inside creates that extra fudgy, chewy texture that’s tough to beat.

Flat lay of a small mound of fine dark brown cocoa powder, a simple white ceramic bowl filled with smooth whole milk, a small white bowl holding glossy vegetable oil, two large brown eggs with clean uncracked shells, a handful of fresh strawberries halved to show their juicy red interiors with green leafy caps, several thick bars of rich semi-sweet baking chocolate stacked neatly, a small white bowl filled with thick heavy whipping cream, and a small square of salted butter on a white ceramic plate, all arranged with perfect symmetry and balanced proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Brownie mix: The base of our fudgy brownies — using a box keeps things easy without sacrificing flavor.
Chocolate pudding mix: Adds moisture and that irresistibly chewy texture we all crave.
Whole milk: For richness and to help bind the brownie batter perfectly.
Vegetable oil: Keeps brownies moist and tender without overpowering the chocolate flavors.
Large eggs: Provide structure and a luscious crumb.
Fresh strawberries: The vibrant, juicy star on top that brightens every bite.
Semi-sweet baking chocolate: For a smooth, silky ganache — quality chocolate really makes a difference.
Heavy whipping cream: Combines with chocolate to create a rich, luscious ganache topping.
Salted butter: Adds depth and a silky sheen to the ganache.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about this Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies Recipe is how easy it is to customize to your taste and occasion. Whether you want to add a little twist or make it fit your dietary preferences, there’s room to make it truly your own.

Variation: I’ve tried swapping fresh raspberries for the strawberries when I wanted a different but equally sumptuous berry flavor. It adds a lovely tartness that balances the rich chocolate ganache beautifully.
Dairy-Free Option: Use a dairy-free heavy cream alternative and dairy-free chocolate to make these brownies suitable for lactose intolerance, without losing that luscious ganache texture.
Nutty Touch: Sprinkle chopped toasted pecans or walnuts over the strawberries right before pouring the ganache. It adds a nice crunch and extra flavor depth that’s irresistible.
Seasonal Flair: In winter, try using candied orange peel chunks atop the berries for a festive, zesty pop that pairs wonderfully with the chocolate.
More Chocolatey: Mix in mini chocolate chips into the brownie batter for bursts of melted chocolate in every bite. It’s a chocoholic’s dream!

Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies Recipe

A square dessert with three clear layers sits on a white plate stacked on two more white plates on a white marbled surface. The bottom layer is a thick, dark brown chocolate brownie with a rough, soft texture. On top of it is a bright red strawberry layer, sliced so the strawberries are shown inside the dessert with their juicy texture. The top layer is smooth and shiny dark chocolate frosting covering the strawberries. A half strawberry with a green top is placed on the center of the chocolate layer, and two whole strawberries with green tops rest beside the square dessert on the plate. In the blurred background, a white bowl filled with whole strawberries and another whole strawberry lays next to it. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grab a 9×9 inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper—this little step makes removing the brownies later a breeze and keeps everything neat. Trust me, nothing beats pulling out a perfectly intact batch of brownies!

Step 2: Whip Up the Brownie Batter

In a large bowl, combine your 18.3 ounce box of brownie mix with the 3.9 ounce box of chocolate pudding mix. Add ⅔ cup whole milk, ½ cup vegetable oil, and 2 large eggs. Mix everything by hand or with a mixer until you get a smooth, fully combined batter. It’ll look glossy and thick—perfect for fudgy brownies!

Step 3: Bake the Brownies

Pour the batter evenly into your prepared pan and smooth out the top with a spatula. Pop it into the oven and bake for 37 minutes. You’ll want to check around the 34-minute mark by inserting a toothpick about 1 inch from the edge—it should come out clean when they’re ready. Once baked, set the pan aside to cool completely in the pan for about 35 to 45 minutes. This step is crucial so the ganache topping will set beautifully later.

Step 4: Add the Fresh Strawberry Layer

After the brownies have fully cooled, arrange 1 cup of fresh strawberries, hulled and halved, flat side down across the surface. This fresh layer adds a burst of natural sweetness and a stunning visual contrast. Make sure your strawberries are dry to keep the ganache from sliding off.

Step 5: Prepare the Chocolate Ganache

Break 12 ounces of semi-sweet baking chocolate into pieces and place them into a medium heat-safe bowl. In a small saucepan over medium heat, warm 1½ cups of heavy whipping cream along with 2 tablespoons of salted butter. Stir continuously until the butter melts and the mixture just starts to bubble lightly around the edges, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat immediately and pour the hot cream mixture over the chocolate, ensuring the chocolate is fully covered. Let it sit undisturbed for 5 minutes to soften.

Step 6: Stir to a Smooth Ganache

After 5 minutes, gently stir the chocolate and cream together until the ganache is completely melted, smooth, and shiny. It should have a luscious, silky texture that will cascade perfectly over the strawberries.

Step 7: Top and Set Your Brownies

Pour the ganache evenly over the strawberry layer. Give the pan a few gentle taps on the counter to release any trapped air bubbles and help the ganache settle smoothly. Allow the ganache to set at room temperature for about 90 minutes, or speed up the process by chilling in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Step 8: Cut and Serve

Once the ganache is firm, use a very sharp, slightly serrated or plastic knife to cut the brownies into 16 squares. Because these brownies are rich and decadent, I recommend serving smaller pieces to savor every luscious bite. Enjoy your homemade Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies—they’re sure to impress at any occasion!

Top Tip

These tips will help you get the absolute best results from your Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies Recipe, making your baking smoother and the final dessert irresistible.

Cooling Completely: Make sure the brownies are fully cooled before adding the ganache and strawberries—this prevents the topping from melting or sliding off, ensuring a beautiful presentation.
Sharp Knife for Cutting: Use a very sharp, slightly serrated or plastic knife when cutting the brownies. This helps you get clean edges without tearing into the luscious ganache or squishing the strawberries.
Even Ganache Spread: When pouring the ganache, give the pan a gentle tap on the counter to release air bubbles and smooth it out—this gives your brownies that professional, glossy finish.
Size Matters: Because these brownies are rich and decadent, cutting them into smaller squares is a smart move—each bite is packed with flavor and meaning a little goes a long way!

How to Serve Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies Recipe

A large white bowl filled with smooth, thick, dark brown chocolate batter that has visible glossy swirls and texture on the surface. The bowl sits on a white marbled background, with two whole fresh solid red strawberries near the top right and a small white bowl with halved strawberries near the bottom left. To the right of the bowl, there are several pieces of dark chocolate squares and wrapped white chocolate bars stacked together. A clear glass baking dish is partially visible in the top left corner. A blue and white striped cloth is shown on the bottom right corner of the image. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

For a lovely finishing touch, you can dust your brownies with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar or edible gold flakes to add a bit of sparkle. A few fresh mint leaves or tiny rose petals also complement the strawberries beautifully and lift the dessert’s elegance.

Side Dishes

These brownies are a star on their own, but pairing them with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream makes for a dreamy combination. Fresh berries on the side or a warm berry compote can add freshness and extra fruitiness that pairs perfectly with the rich chocolate and strawberries.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Your Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies are best stored in the refrigerator due to the fresh strawberries. After the first couple of hours, cover them well with plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container. Stored this way, they will stay fresh and delicious for about 2-3 days.

Freezing

If you want to keep these brownies longer, wrap each piece individually in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze. Properly wrapped, they can last up to 3 months in the freezer. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight for the best texture.

Reheating

Because of the fresh strawberries and ganache topping, reheating isn’t really necessary and might affect the texture. If you prefer, you can let them come to room temperature before serving, which helps the ganache soften slightly without melting.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen strawberries for this recipe?

While fresh strawberries provide the best texture and flavor, you can use frozen strawberries if fresh aren’t available. Just make sure to thaw and drain them well to avoid extra moisture making the brownies soggy.

Why do I need to add pudding mix to the brownie batter?

The chocolate pudding mix helps create an ultra-fudgy and moist brownie texture that pairs wonderfully with the creamy ganache and fresh strawberries.

How do I know when the brownies are done baking?

Bake them at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 37 minutes, checking by inserting a toothpick about 1 inch from the edge. If it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, the brownies are perfectly baked.

Can I make this recipe vegan or dairy-free?

This recipe uses whole milk, heavy cream, and butter, so it's not vegan or dairy-free as written. However, you could try substituting plant-based milk and cream alternatives, along with vegan butter and pudding mixes, but the texture and flavor may vary.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly magical about combining rich, fudgy brownies with luscious chocolate ganache and fresh strawberries—and this Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies Recipe hits all those notes perfectly. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or a simple treat, this dessert is sure to impress and satisfy every chocolate lover. I hope you enjoy every decadent bite as much as I do!