RASPBERRY SWIRL BROWNIES WITH AGED BALSAMIC

I'll be honest: when I first started putting aged balsamic in desserts, people looked at me like I'd lost my mind. Then they took a bite.

Raspberries and chocolate are already a great pair. Cook those raspberries down with a little Denissimo, our 23-year aged balsamic, and something happens. The berries get deeper and more jammy, and the tartness turns into something rich. Swirl that through a fudgy brownie and you've got the pan everyone asks you to bring back.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED (makes 16 squares, 8x8 pan)

For the Denissimo raspberry compote:

- 1 cup fresh raspberries
- 2 Tbsp Denissimo 23-Year Balsamic
- 2 tsp sugar or maple syrup

For the brownies:

- 1/2 cup Butter Olive Oil
- 1 cup sugar - 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp baking powder

HOW TO MAKE THEM

1. Heat your oven to 350°F and line an 8x8 pan with parchment.
2. Start with the compote. Put the raspberries, Denissimo, and sugar or maple in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Let it simmer for 4 to 5 minutes, mashing the berries as they soften, until it looks jammy. Set it aside to cool while you make the batter.
3. Whisk the olive oil and sugar together. Add the eggs and vanilla and keep whisking until the batter is smooth and glossy.
4. Stir in the cocoa, flour, salt, and baking powder, just until everything comes together. Don't overmix.
5. Spread the batter into your pan. Spoon the compote over the top in dollops, then drag a knife through to make the swirl.
6. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the edges are set and the center is just barely firm. Then comes the hard part: let them cool completely before you cut them, so you get clean squares.

A FEW TIPS

Want a little smoke and heat? Swap the Butter Olive Oil for our Chipotle Olive Oil. The gentle spice is a great match for dark chocolate and raspberry. Want something brighter? Try our Blood Orange Olive Oil instead. Chocolate and orange is a classic for a reason, and it feels just right this time of year. These are wonderful warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a little whipped cream. They also keep well for a few days, and honestly, the swirl tastes even better the next day.

ABOUT THE DENISSIMO

Denissimo 23-Year Balsamic is deep and complex, with notes of fig, molasses, and oak. A little goes a long way, and it's what takes these brownies from "nice" to "what's in this?"