Transform Pesach brownies into… something else

brownies (2)If your family is sick of Pesach brownies, or never liked them in the first place, or you’re looking for something a little shmancier, why not turn regular brownies into… well, this little compact-brownie terrine-thing that I don’t have a name for? 

(If after reading this post you know what it’s called, please leave a comment letting me know!)

It reminds me of those 5-layer Pesach bar cakes that you can buy for ridiculous prices in stores… only much, much cheaper.

I use two cast-iron loaf pans, which is nice because they’re heavy, thick and sturdy, but I imagine any two pans the same size will work.  (cast iron is also nice because it kashers for Pesach nice n’ easy when I self-clean the oven…).

This is not so much a recipe as a technique I hope will inspire you to great heights of deliciousness.

  • You may want to line your loaf pan with plastic wrap before you begin for ease of removal.  I forgot – doh!
  • Bake two square pans of Pesach brownies (recipe below, or Ester has a good one at her Frugal and Kosher blog).
  • brownies (6)Cut brownies in half and place one half in the bottom of the loaf pan. 
  • Brownies may crumble; that’s okay.  Just spread the pieces out evenly and squish any crumbles in to fill the cracks.  It’s okay if it looks a bit messy; it will hold together after hours of compaction.  (is that a real word???)
  • Sprinkle brownie layer with kosher l’Pesach liqueur.  Any flavour you like will probably work – I used chocolate.
  • brownies (7)Top with another brownie half.
  • Spread with melted seedless jam – I like raspberry.
  • Top with another brownie half and top that with liqueur one more time.
  • Cover with plastic wrap and add second pan.  Weight it down and leave it for several hours (or overnight?).
  • Remove from pan if it comes out easily – if it doesn’t, leave it in the pan and slice/serve it from there.
  • When it’s done, you can melt chocolate and spread a hard coating on the outside to make it more like the cakes you buy in the store.

brownies (4)   

Brownies Recipe (copied & pasted from this thread)

These are fudgy and gooey in the middle and always a big hit. You can never have enough. They are best served with vanilla ice cream.

1 cup oil

4 eggs

2 cups sugar (I used 1 3/4)

1/2 cup potato starch

1 teaspoon vanilla (don’t have vanilla yet – drat)

1 cup cocoa

1 bag (2 cups) chocolate chips (I used only 1/2 cup)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients and pour into a 9-inch round or square baking pan. Bake for about 30 to 45 minutes – until top is cracked.

Okay – you’ve read the recipe.  What would you call this dessert????

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