Mamma Mia Balsamic Berry Brownies

Happy Birthday to my mother-in-law today!

I hope you have had the most amazing Birthday and enjoyed celebrating your special day!

What better way to honor you -- the sweetest woman, most fantastic baker (check out her amazing Holiday sweets!), and one fine Italian hot mama, than with these Italian-inspired oil and vinegar brownies, rich with balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, dark chocolate and berries?!?

These vegan treats are rich, tangy, decadent, fudgy, and with a bit of a kick from the black pepper.

I hope you enjoy!
XOXO

Mamma Mia Balsamic Berry Brownies
Makes 16 brownies
Printable recipe here

Berry Balsamic Jam
5 TBS of good quality balsamic vinegar (divided)
1 TBS organic sugar
1 1/2 cups mixed berries, chopped
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Put the berries, sugar, pepper, vanilla, and 3 TBS of balsamic vinegar into a small saucepan on stovetop.  Over medium heat, cook until the berries disentregre a bit and the jam thickens, about 4-5 minutes.
Remove from heat, puree half the mixture in a food processor or high speed blender until semi-smooth, and stir in other half of berry mixture along with remaining 2 TBS balsamic vinegar. Set aside.

Fudgy Brownies
8 oz dark chocolate, chopped
1/4 cup vegan butter, such as Earth Balance
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
4 flax"eggs" (1/4 cup flaxseeds, mixed with 1 cup filtered water)
3/4 cup granulated sugar (preferably infused with a vanilla bean)
1 TBS vanilla extract
1/3 cup AP flour
4 heaping TBS unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 350 F.
Line a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.

Melt the vegan butter and dark chocolate in a double boiler/bain marie over medium heat until the chocolate is fully melted and shiny.  Remove from heat and stir in the olive oil.  Mix in the flax eggs, sugar and vanilla and stir to combine.  Sift the flour, cocoa powder, salt and pepper into the chocolate mixture and fold through until combined.  Stir in chocolate chips.

Pour batter into prepared baking pan.  Pour berry balsamic jam over the top and with a knife, swirl to incorporate, pulling some of the jam to the edges of the pan so it's fully swirled throughout brownie mixture.  Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the center looks set.  Don't over-bake these, as they're supposed to be fudgy, and should come out a bit sticky, but not raw.  Allow to cool in the pan before cutting into squares.

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