The imagination has no limitations, as we see from this recipe. It’s chocolate pudding, chopped chocolate, whipped cream and raspberries layered over brownies, repeatedly. It’s a fairy tale dessert to satisfy all comers.

Ingredients

FOR THE BROWNIES:

  • 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, more for greasing pan
  • 3 ounces finely chopped unsweetened chocolate
  • ½ cup cocoa powder, sifted
  • 2 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • 3 eggs, beaten
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 3 tablespoons Cognac, rum or bourbon, optional

FOR ASSEMBLY:

  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 8 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • Pinch salt
  • 1 ¾ cups whole milk
  • 3 cups heavy cream
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • 10 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped (2 cups)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup confectioners’ sugar for whipped cream
  • 1 to 2 pints fresh raspberries
  • Nutritional Information
    • Nutritional analysis per serving (8 servings)

      1326 calories; 85 grams fat; 51 grams saturated fat; 1 gram trans fat; 24 grams monounsaturated fat; 3 grams polyunsaturated fat; 137 grams carbohydrates; 11 grams dietary fiber; 102 grams sugars; 15 grams protein; 321 milligrams cholesterol; 282 milligrams sodium

    • Note: Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available data.

8 to 10 servings

Preparation

  1. To make brownies, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking pan.
  2. In a large saucepan, melt butter. Remove pan from heat and stir in chopped chocolate until fully melted. Stir in cocoa and sugar until combined. Slowly add eggs, whisking chocolate mixture constantly, then whisk in vanilla. Fold in flour and salt.
  3. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake until just firm, about 25 minutes (do not overbake). Transfer pan to a rack to cool. If using spirits, prick holes in hot brownies and drizzle evenly over pan.
  4. In a large bowl, mix together granulated sugar, 3 tablespoons cocoa powder, cornstarch and salt. Whisk in 3/4 cup milk. In a large saucepan, bring remaining 1 cup milk and 1/2 cup cream to a boil over medium heat. Whisk hot milk mixture slowly into cocoa mixture. Return to saucepan. Cook over medium heat, whisking gently, until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. (A simmering bubble or two is O.K., but do not let it boil.)
  5. In a medium heat-resistant bowl, whisk yolks. Whisking them constantly, very slowly dribble about half the cocoa-milk mixture into yolks until fully combined. Pour yolk mixture into saucepan with remaining cocoa-milk mixture, whisking constantly. Cook, whisking occasionally, over medium-low heat, until thickened, about 5 minutes. (Do not let mixture come to a simmer. If pan begins to steam thickly, remove from heat for a few moments and stir well before continuing.) Let cool slightly.
  6. Melt 5 ounces chopped chocolate with butter. Stir until smooth. Stir in vanilla. Cool 5 minutes, then fold into thickened egg mixture. Place plastic wrap directly against pudding (to prevent a skin from forming), and chill until set, about 3 hours. (Pudding and brownies can be made up to 5 days ahead, and refrigerated.)
  7. Just before assembling, in an electric mixer, beat remaining 2 1/2 cups cream with remaining 5 tablespoons cocoa powder and 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar until it forms soft peaks. Scrape down sides and fold in any excess cocoa or sugar.
  8. Cut brownies into 1-inch squares. Fit a layer of brownie squares in bottom of a 4-quart trifle, glass, or other bowl. Top with half the pudding, a third of the whipped cream, a third of the remaining chopped chocolate and a third of the raspberries. Repeat layering until all ingredients have been used. Serve immediately, or cover with plastic wrap and chill for up to 24 hours before serving.

1 hour 30 minutes

Dining and Cooking