Today I’m sharing a special recipe that I came up with a long time ago, when I wanted to take dessert to a friend’s dinner party. I didn’t want to bake a cake. I wanted something chocolate that involved berries, and I knew I had red dessert wine on hand to bring as well.
More recently, I was invited to celebrate the launch of a friend’s podcast. When Jacquelyn asked me to come up with something in the dessert department, I brought out the recipe and shared it virtually on her celebratory Zoom happy hour call!
My “Sangria Brownie” is the perfect pairing for a cool spring evening, warm summer night (you know they will be here before you know it) and a dessert that is both comforting, decadent and special for any occasion.
You can just make the brownies and enjoy them all by themselves. Or, you can buy the brownies, and just make the sangria topping. Perfect for those days when you don’t feel like baking. But then… you can make both the brownie AND the topping if you are feeling like having fun in your kitchen. Grab a glass of wine, add a few splashes to your berries, and wait until the brownies bake and your fruit soaks in all that wine goodness (a fancy term for that macerate).
Pictured is my brownie topped with whipped cream, blueberries and cinnamon spice topping. I also added that spice TO the brownie… as well as a secret ingredient that kicks up the flavor a few notches.
My secret ingredient comes from my favorite olive oil shop. Check out the ingredients to see what I’m talking about!
SPICY SANGRIA BROWNIES
Ingredients
- 1 C sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 C all purpose flour
- 1/3 C dark cocoa powder
- 1/4 C plus 2 tbsp chipotle olive oil
- 1 tsp cinnamon or cinnamon spice blend
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8×8 pan. Stir together sugar, vanilla, and olive oil. Add eggs and mix until combined. Combine dry ingredients in separate bowl. Gradually add to wet mixture until combined.
- Spread mixture into prepared pan. Bake 20-25 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean!
Sangria fruit topping (if you are feeling fancy)
Mix one cup berries in a bowl with 2 tablespoons sugar and 1/4 cup red wine. let sit for 45 mins to an hour.
Add your own whipped cream topping and viola! Dessert is served!
Hope this inspires you to get into your kitchen and bake up this treat!
Have a sweet week my friends!
Gina
