Strawberry Shortcake Brownie
I know today is St. Paddy’s Day and I should be sharing holiday recipes but instead, I’d like you tell a story…..
When I lived in Minneapolis my Grandma would fly back from New York (where she wintered) in the spring. She’d fly in and stay with me for a week or two and then I would drive her out to the family farm and help her open the house up. This was a special time, because I would get to spent one-on-one time with Grandma. That was really important because she was 85 years old, since she was getting up there in age I wanted to spend as much time as I could with her and make memories!
One day, before I left for work I told her that we had made reservations at a really nice restaurant in Minneapolis and they are known for their steaks (the restaurant was Manny’s Steakhouse and pretty fancy!). I said – make sure you’re hungry Grandma, because it is super good!
I got home from work at 4:30 and Grandma was sitting on the couch with her purse in her lap and her coat on. She immediately announced that she hadn’t eaten since dinner (dinner in the Midwest is the midday meal – lunch, supper is in the evening) and she was very hungry and we should leave immediately. Ok I said and we were off!
Manny’s served everything family style so we had asparagus and mashed potatoes and each of us ordered a steak. Grandma had a ribeye steak and it was incredibly delicious and ridiculously large, but I would be darned if she didn’t eat the whole thing, I honestly didn’t think it was possible because she was a tiny woman! So when they brought around the dessert tray – I was pretty sure we would all pass, there was no way we could eat any more!
Well that’s where I was wrong. Grandma looked at that dessert tray and hemmed and hawed and just couldn’t decide. Finally she looked at the waiter and said, I can’t decide between strawberry shortcake and a brownie. Can you make me both? With a big smile, I nodded to the waiter and off he went. While we were waiting for dessert, we were engaged in conversation and realized that entire restaurant had fallen silent. That’s because the waiter was bringing out our dessert. It had literally stopped conversation! They made a special dessert for my Grandma – the Strawberry Shortcake Brownie was a brownie bundt cake, sliced in half, topped with ice cream, sliced strawberries, caramel, hot fudge and macadamia nuts, then a second layer of brownie was on and piled with same toppings! Truly the most incredible dessert I have ever had. And I’d be darned if my tiny little Grandma didn’t eat two huge slices! It was outrageous!
So that’s what I’m sharing with you today! And well to back up just a bit – I had plenty of time continuing to make memories with my Grandma – you see she lived to be 98 years old! Today is the first anniversary of her passing and rather than be sad, I’ve chosen to honor her by sharing one of my favorite memories and this lovely dessert!
Strawberry Shortcake Brownie
Strawberry Shortcake Brownie
Strawberry Shortcake Brownie - easy shortcuts and an amazing dessert. Get the recipe and read this heartwarming family story!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 127 kcal
Ingredients
- 1 box brownie mix
- 1 pint strawberries
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- Chocolate sauce
- Caramel sauce
- Chopped macadamia nuts
Instructions
- Prepare and bake the brownie mix according to package directions. If desired, use mini bundt cake mold well, adjust cooking time accordingly. Allow to cool.
- While the brownies are baking, clean and slice the strawberries. Sprinkle with sugar and set aside to macerate.
- When you are ready to assemble, slice the cake in half horizontally (if desired). Layer the cake with ice cream, sliced strawberries, chocolate and caramel sauce, top with chopped macadamia nuts. Top with another layer of cake and repeat.
- Ridiculously over-the-top - yes! Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Strawberry Shortcake Brownie
Amount Per Serving
Calories 127 Calories from Fat 36
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 4g 6%
Sodium 64mg 3%
Potassium 138mg 4%
Total Carbohydrates 21g 7%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Sugars 10g
Protein 1g 2%
Vitamin A 0.3%
Vitamin C 42.2%
Calcium 2.3%
Iron 3.1%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
I loved reading your heartwarming story about your Grandma Deb! Made me laugh and cry because I so very much miss my Mother and Grannies…I loved spending time with them. I was so blessed to have had them. They were all fantastic cooks, and I loved almost every meal they made! (Wish I wasn’t so darned sentimental sometimes!) Your desert looks spectacular!!! You have reminded me of a funny story too, about mixing fruit with chocolate, but I dare not share it because the experience didn’t end well. The result is, I can not eat anything that combines fruit with chocolate…I’ve tried through the years, but I can’t get past that experience as a child. I do love combining brownies with vanilla ice cream and caramel…one of my faves, and adding Macadamia nuts will definitely put it over the top for me…mmmmmmmmm! I only wish I could enjoy your full recipe. 🙁 P.S. Do you have a Bananas Foster recipe you could share?
Well, grab some Macadamia Nuts and make do Audrey – it will be delicious! 😀 I’m glad I was able to inspire memories, though sometimes it’s hard, it’s heartwarming too, thank you for sharing. I do not have a Bananas Foster recipe….but that inspires me to put that on my list (and yes there’s a list!) of recipes to put my Deb touch on, LOL! Thanks for stopping by Audrey – have a fabulous day and I’ll get working on that recipe!
Most definitely on those nuts! I never think about using Macadamia nuts, but I will now 🙂 Oooo, I’m excited to see what you do with Bananas Foster….Macadamia nuts sound like they would work in that recipe too, and maybe some white chocolate shavings or chips …. ideas are starting to flow now…you inspire me Deb! Lol… 🙂
Hey, great minds think alike, I was going down that road too Audrey! I have half a jar left of Macadamia nuts….I shouldn’t just eat them out of the jar…right? 😉 Oh my they are good!
Ah ha ha ha…yesssssss!!!
Awesome story, and dessert! The part about her sitting on the couch with her purse in her lap is priceless. I’ve never thought about macadamia nuts and brownies living in the land where pecans rule. Sounds fabulous!
Thank you so much! You know I can still “mimic” her voice just perfectly. Makes me smile just to think about it! 😀
Holy yum. This seriously has everything I love in it. I often want a fruit dessert, but feel like I’m missing out on chocolate if I don’t get chocolate. The struggle is real, haha! You just solved my problem. Or wait, your Grandmother did! 🙂
She was a smart lady my Grandma! 😀 Thanks for stopping by Julie!
Strawberry shortcake in brownie form?? Yes please! This recipe looks amazing!
Thanks Ashlyn – we just had the last of it tonight….YUM!!
This is a great story and looks amazing. Have all the fixings to make this, and will do it soon. Thanks for sharing the story and the recipe. And Happy Anniversary for your Grandma.
Thanks Michelle! I hope you give it a try!! Grandma was the best, I miss her every day, but it’s so good to think about wonderful memories and smile!!
This is just what Grandma liked to eat, (grandpa too). It looks so good. I will be having some myself in a few days. Just keeping with the tradition. Ha Ha!!
Ha, love the way you think Mom – yes just makes me smile thinking about her enjoying that meal!
Of all the desserts you have made, this one has to be my favorite. I love the chocolaty goodness with delicious strawberries.
Boy howdy – this is my favorite too! YOu have great taste Rini! 😀
How cute is your Grandma! That she was the story behind this yummy dessert is awesome! I will be making this soon and thinking of your Grandma!
Thanks Debi – Grandma was such a wonderful lady, you’ve really made me smile! Enjoy this yummy dessert!