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Pinot Noir Brownies

This post is sponsored by Mirassou, but all opinions, photos, and original recipes are my own. I love sharing my favorite products, tips, and tricks with you — it keeps the recipes coming!

Pinot Noir Brownies are the richest, fudgiest brownies I have EVER made. They are dense, loaded with dark chocolate, and have the beautiful hint of cherries, strawberries, and red currants that Mirassou Pinot Noir offers. 

Pinto Noir Brownies

Um, yes.

For the record I DID say Pinot Noir Brownies. They are my favorite for forever and always. They will be yours, too.

It’s a week of holiday parties around here {there and everywhere} and so my focus has been mainly on two things.

One: How out-of-control is my hair? Also what in the flipping world am I going to wear to all the holiday things?

And Two: Hostess gifts. They are crucial. Nothing annoys me more than people that show up empty-handed.

Okay, that’s not true. So many things annoy me. I have very little patience for lots of stuff {bad drivers, grocery store line-crowders, mouth noises while eating… this list could get really long. I’ll stop}. #characterflaw  But when parties are happening it’s SO important to remember to never show up empty-handed AND to remember to say thank you. Not saying thank you is a big pet peeve of mine.

Back to not showing up empty-handed though, hostess gifts are HARD!! Like you don’t want them to be hokey or garbage-ey. And sometimes you really don’t know the party hosts that well, like maybe they are just acquaintances or someone’s boss or a neighbor down the road that’s not your BFF.

It’s easy to get stumped on this kinda stuff.

Red Wine Brownie Recipe

Wine is definitely my hostess gift go-to, especially for the holidays.

This gift carries with it one very specific problem, though:

I actually have no idea how to buy a bottle of wine. Please tell me I am not alone on this.

I mean… I totally base this kind of purchase on pretty labels and price point. I can’t go around spending a zillion dollars on hostess gifts because I still have no freaking idea what I’m going to wear.

So.

The key for me is to find a brand that always works for me WITH a pretty label, and at a good price point, and then always buy that one to give.

A beautiful bottle of wine from Mirassou can easily welcome in the holiday season, no wrapping required! (Plus it’s only about $12 a bottle. Score.)

Mirassou

But.

If you wanna wrap it up in a pretty wine bottle gift bag you can.

I think that this makes a perfect hostess gift! And if you are feeling industrious you can make these Pinot Noir Brownies, put them on a cute plate, and take those, too.

Pinot Noir Brownie recipe

We should really talk about these brownies.

FIRST. Know that they are so crazy rich you only just need a tiny bite, so this recipe makes quite a few tiny bites. The pinot noir in the brownie batter just sort of blooms the flavor in the chocolate, but the pinot noir in the fudge frosting adds this whole other delicious level because of the hints of cherries, strawberries, and red currants that Mirassou Pinot Noir has to offer.

They are amazing. You’d be hard pressed to find a host that doesn’t totally flip over a bottle of Mirassou plus these brownies.

Also they say thank you all by themselves, just in case you can’t find your people to say thanks on your way out.

Pinot Noir Brownies

Pinot Noir Brownies
Yield: 36 small brownies

Pinot Noir Brownies

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Cool Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Wine and brownies! Two of my favorite things in one pan. These Pinot Noir Brownies are dense and fudgey little bites of rich, delicious red wine and brownie love.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter, melted
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 2 tablespoons Mirassou Pinot Noir
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup dark chocolate cocoa powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

For the Frosting:

  • 3/4 cup heavy cream
  • 2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips
  • 1/4 cup Mirassou Pinot Noir
  • 2 tablespoons butter

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter a 13 X 9 baking dish. Line it with parchment paper or foil, and then butter the parchment or foil (this ensures extra easy removal from the pan).
  2. In a large bowl whisk together the melted butter and granulated sugar until it's nice and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one as a time, mixing well between each addition. Then mix in the vanilla and pinot noir.
  3. In another medium bowl, whisk together the flour, dark chocolate cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Gradually mix it into the wet mixture.
  4. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it out evenly. Bake for 30 minutes, or until a pick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  5. Let the brownies cool completely.
  6. In a small sauce pan bring the heavy cream to a simmer. Remove it from the heat and stir in the chocolate chips until smooth. Then stir in the pinot noir and butter. Let the frosting chill for about 30 minutes before spreading across the top of the cooled brownies.
  7. I like to refrigerate these before cutting but it's not required. Lift the foil or parchment from the pan, and peel away from the sides of the brownies. Cut into 36 small squares.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

36

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 207Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 42mgSodium: 93mgCarbohydrates: 23gFiber: 1gSugar: 19gProtein: 2g

Now. Since we got all that settled, can someone please tell me what in the world to wear?

Find Mirassou at a retailer near you by visiting their Store Locator .

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Mirassou.

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Barbara Gallagher

Thursday 2nd of September 2021

I have been making these brownies for about 5 or so years now. They are my go to recipe when I want a special hostess treat or an absolute must on a holiday dessert tray. My sons would be very unhappy if they didn't get any at Christmas. Tonight I'm making a batch for a work colleague who is leaving to start a new job and always wanted a whole pan just for herself. These brownies are so rich and fudgey, and the addition of the pinot noir adds that extra kick of classy. Thanks for such an awesome recipe!

Heather Tullos

Monday 6th of September 2021

Barbara, this is the nicest comment that I read on a really hard week. THANK YOU so much for taking the time to leave it!

Robbie Mailman

Tuesday 21st of July 2020

Hot day and had to let these cool in the fridge a little longer. Heather these are incredible! Absolutely amazing! The pinot noir gave them a nice berry flavor, and they are soft chewy gooey good!! Big hit with the family, and I'll have to share some with friends. Make sure to use your favorite chocolate in the icing, its worth the little splurge!

Robbie Mailman

Friday 24th of July 2020

@Heather Tullos, was wondering if the wine is still good for brownies after a week or being open? Going to try and use up most of this wine in the next 2-3 days but I don't tend to drink wine. Thanks

Heather Tullos

Wednesday 22nd of July 2020

Ahh thanks, Robbie! I am so glad you enjoyed them!

Sarah

Wednesday 3rd of October 2018

Hello! These brownies are the best I have EVER had. I'm never going back. Could I make and freeze the brownies? Or could I make a huge batch of frosting to freeze? I have 1/3 bottle of Pinot noir that I want to finish by making these.

Carol

Thursday 14th of June 2018

Can I use any pinot noir..? Have you tried others?

Heather Tullos

Thursday 14th of June 2018

Any pinot noir is fine! Cabernet and merlot also work well!

Kelly

Wednesday 19th of April 2017

I could tell that something was different, but couldn't exactly pinpoint the Pinot taste. Next time, I will double the Pinot in both the brownie mix and the frosting and see how they turn out! Also, fresh out of the oven, these brownies have an almost cake like texture- a little on the dry side. After a few days in the fridge though, they become really moist and fudgy- very delicious!!! Thank you for a great recipe!

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