Brownie Berry Tart

Lots of things happening over here, people!  Firstly, my nails are painted a color called “marshmallow.”  Clearly, good things, they are happening.  There are new projects to think about, bright yellow sneakers to wear, picnics to be eaten at the beach, and cross-country flights to take for the 4th of July.  My head is excited.

So let’s celebrate and get patriotic with this thing.  What’s more American than a brownie?  I mean, besides Tim Tebow and pie and manifest destiny and stuff.  Brownies!  Maybe we’ll bake them up in a tart pan, and infuse them with fresh raspberry.  And if we pile them high with  fluffy, white whipped cream and bright red and blue berries, well, then we do our forefathers proud.  Here’s looking at you, Thomas Jefferson.

Happy Independence Day, Amurica!  I made you a brownie.  You feel like home to me.  You have your issues, but really, who doesn’t?  On the whole, I think you’re pretty wonderful.  Covered with berries and cream.

Brownie Berry Tart

Inspired by the Chocolate Fudge Brownies recipe in the Joy The Baker Cookbook

I like the way this looks baked in a tart pan and cut into wedges for serving, but if you don’t have a tart pan, feel free to just use a regular 8×8 brownie pan, instead.  This will travel well to a picnic or barbecue; just leave off the berries to start and transport them in a separate container, and then toss them on the cream covered brownie just before serving.  Enjoy!

Ingredients:

For brownie:

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 3 ounces bittersweet chocolate
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
• 6 ounces fresh raspberries (or 1/4 cup raspberry jam)

For whipped cream & topping:

• 1 cup heavy cream, well-chilled
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• raspberries and blueberries, to garnish

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.  Grease and flour an 8-inch pie or tart pan.

In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt, and set aside.  In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over a low flame.  Once melted, remove from heat and add the bittersweet chocolate, stirring with a rubber spatula until fully melted.  Whisk in the sugar, eggs, yolks, and vanilla.  Add the flour mixture, all at once, and stir to combine.  Fold in the chocolate chips, then fresh raspberries (or jam, if using).  Pour the brownie batter into the prepared dish and bake for 30-35 minutes, until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.  Cool on a wire rack.

Spread the whipped cream onto the cooled brownie (an offset spatula works nicely here).  Scatter berries atop soft cream, and serve as soon as possible.

By itself, the brownie will last, well wrapped, for about three days.  Once the whipped cream and berries are added, however, the tart becomes much more delicate, and is best enjoyed on the same day.

Serves 6-8.