As I cracked through that satisfying brownie crust, I breathed a sigh of relief. My fears that the dish had been overbaked were unfounded as my spoon revealed the gooey middle. I immediately took a bite and let the dessert wrap me up in its rich decadence.
Garten’s brownie pudding is definitely sweet, but I didn’t find it overwhelming. While the framboise was optional, I think it helped balance the flavors. My editor — who has also made this dish — recommended sprinkling some sea salt on top, which was fantastic advice. It added even more depth and interest to each bite, especially with a little vanilla ice cream on the side.
It’s obvious why Garten likes to whip this up for her and Jeffrey’s wedding anniversary in the winter. The brownie pudding is so warm and comforting — the kind of dessert you tuck into on the couch while watching a holiday movie you’ve seen a million times before.
With so little prep, it’s also a great recipe to make ahead and enjoy during this week of festivities. If your family finishes it too fast — a likely story — well, you can just make it again.
After all, what else are you going to do with that bottle of framboise?
