Aren't raspberries beautiful? That perfect color, that soft downy feel, that explode-the-brain flavor--and the way it wakes up everything it lends its flavor to - is there any wonder I wait longingly for fresh raspberry season every year?
Fortunately, there are recipes like this that make the wait not so long. You can use frozen berries in this just as well as fresh.
1 cup sweetened frozen raspberries, defrosted and drained, or fresh raspberries mixed with 2 teaspoons sugar
9 ounces premium-quality white chocolate, chopped
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup white sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Powdered sugar for dusting
1. Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 175°F. Butter the bottom and sides of an 8 x 8 x 2-inch pan.
2. Use the back of a spoon to press the sweetened raspberries through a strainer to remove the seeds. Measure 1/4 cup strained purée into a small bowl. Set the purée aside and save any additional for another use.
3. Place the white chocolate in a nonreactive ovenproof container and melt it in the oven about 12 minutes. As soon as it is melted, remove it from the oven and stir it smooth. Set aside to cool. Increase the oven to 325°F.
4. Stir the flour and salt together in a small bowl and set aside.
5. Put the butter and sugar in the large bowl of an electric mixer and beat on medium speed until smooth, about 1 minute. Decrease the speed to low and add the eggs, vanilla, and almond extract, blending until the eggs are incorporated. You will see pieces of butter. Stop the mixer and scrape the sides of the bowl once during this time. Beat in the melted white chocolate. Mix in the flour mixture just until it is incorporated and the batter is smooth.
6. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Drizzle the 1/4 cup raspberry purée over the top. Draw a thin metal spatula gently through the purée to swirl it with the white chocolate batter until the top is marbleized.
7. Bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs clinging to it. Cool the brownies in the pan on a wire rack about 1 hour. Dust with powdered sugar and cut into 12 to 16 pieces.
These are beautiful and elegant--but they tend to disappear rapidly. You might want to make a double batch.
These sound yummy...will have to make for a 4th of July cookout we are attending.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea - they're a nice color for that, and you'll impress people once again. :)
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