This weeks selection was the French Chocolate Brownies. Yes, I was excited, because I do love a good brownie, but I was also skeptical as I just can’t say too many good things about the word “french” when it comes to baked goods for me. Everything seems so delicate, so difficult…so French. I can screw up just about anything, however, after reading and re-reading this recipe, it really didn’t sound too complicated.
I got started on it just before 10pm (is that my witching hour? It seems I always start something at that time!) The real reason I started it then was because Sev had already gone to bed, but most importantly, Jon was here and would be able to help me with the flaming of th alcohol. I just don’t do fire. It freaks me out. So while he watched TLC or Bobby Flay or Deadliest Catch I made sure I had everything at the ready.
I did have to deviate a bit from Dorie’s recipe. First off, I only had 4 oz. of bittersweet chocolate, at at that time of night, I wasn’t going to the store for more. So I used a few Semi-Sweet mini chips and a handful of Milk Chocolate chips as well. I can’t say with certainty that I got right at 6 oz., but it was close. It may have been closer to seven, but oh well. Second deviation was that I don’t dig raisins. An oatmeal raisin cookie is good, but raisins in a brownie just sounds wrong to me. So my solution was strawberries. I chunked some yummy berries up and threw them in te sauce pan. They smelled FAB while cooking, just like when making jam. Then instead of rum (even though we had it) I used Grand Marnier. It really didn’t light too well, but that’s beside the point…that concoction was yummy! Everything else mixed just as Dorie said it would – beautiful color, light and fluffy – I was proud! After about 56 minutes, I yaked them out and they were PERFECT! That flavor of strawberries mixed throughout is awesome – because you can’t see the berries anywhere, it leaves you wondering what that fantastic flavor is! All in all, I am thrilled with these delicate little brownies…they are sure to be a hit with my friends and family at the beach this week…if they make it that far!
Now, go check out all of the other TWD brownie bakers this week…I’m sure there will be lots of great adaptations! (I bet peach would be great too! Maybe next time!)
{ 38 comments… read them below or add one }
Fresh strawberries and Grand Marnier in these? Umm… wow.
strawberries with brownies!!! hmm this is all i need !!
YUM!! sounds delicious!!!
I don’t think they made it to the beach, did they?
Fantastic idea, I will try that next go-round!
Delicious looking results. Strawberries and chocolate are the perfect combo…YUM!
I am totally using strawberries next time!
Your photos are really wonderful. I don’t like chocolate at all and I thought even it looked good in those photos! I love the strawberries, though…they look beautiful and a nice treat for your non-chocolate eating friends to pick at the fruit instead!
Hope your vac was wonderful, too!
~Kayte
Wow…that first picture is gorgeous!
brownies and strawberries! yummm! Great job!
Wow your brownies look great!
Oh, those photos could be in a magazine. Gorgeous!
Rebecca
http://www.ezrapoundcake.com
Great idea, these look great!
Yum! Lovely blog!
Pretty, pretty picture! Great job!
Mmmmm. Chocolate and strawberries is one of the best pairings in the world. Mmmmm.
Your brownies are wonderful but that baby of yours is absolutely adorable! He looks like a doll!
Really lovely sounding substitution. And your first photo is really nice.
Well done!
Job well done, they look great!
Yum strawberries in the brownie sound amazing!
The strawberries and Grand Marnier combination sounds fabulous!!
Mmmm strawberries and Grand. Fabulous! Love the collage too. Happy vacay!
Clara @ I♥food4thought
Wow they look great! Love the strawberries;)
That sounds amazing! I think I may have to try that…
OOooooh, the strawberries sound SO yummy. I will have to try that sometime. Great post!
they look so yummy…and strawberries and grand marnier is a fabulous combo. i did raspberries and chambord but the options are ENDLESS!
have a great vacation!
Great pictures! Enjoy your vacation.
I am still looking the TWD blogs with letter C
. Thanks for stopping by, your pictures are beautiful.
http://ostwestwind.twoday.net/stories/1426691/
Beautiful pictures! I love the combo chocolate and strawberries (alright… I love the combo chocolate anything!)
*and thanks for your comment on my blog:)
Sounds delish! I love that your husband watches Deadliest Catch…mine does too whenever he can. I’m amazed at how much he likes it since it seems as if the same thing happens every show!
That’s beautiful. It was really creative of you to think of using strawberries. Your brownies look absolutely delicious.
Awesome job.
Beautiful pictures! I need to try the strawberries in mine. Have fun on vacation!
Gorgeous pictures! I’ll need to try the brownie and strawberry combination some time…
Love your flavor combos! I’m so glad that you were happy with how they turned out!
Gorgeous Brownies!
Oh, and I gave you a “Bloggers With A Purpose” Award! You can see it here!
http://spatulascorkscrews.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/06/blogging-with-a-purpose-another-award.html
thanks for dropping by my blog. hehe. I’ll do u proud with my strawberry tart next week since u’ll be watching out for them. *winks*
delicious brownies btw! strawberries.. nothing beats that!
beautiful plating! is that a red towel in the background?
the color really pops and makes for a great background in your photo! i used 6 oz of semisweet chocolate chips in this recipe and it turned out great.
Oh, I had never thought to do strawberries….yummy!