
WHITE CHOCOLATE AND LIME BLONDIES
2 SERVINGS
BLONDIES
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter
5 ounces imported white chocolate (such as Lindt), chopped
1-1/4 cups sifted unbleached all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon minced lime peel green part only)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
FILLING
3/4 cup whipping cream
2 ounces imported white chocolate (such as Lindt), chopped
2 cups sliced strawberries
4 whole strawberries, stems left attached, halved
6 lime segments
Fresh mint sprigs Powdered sugar
FOR BLONDIES: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 9-inch square
baking pan with foil, allowing foil to extend over sides.
Butter foil. Combine butter and 4 ounces white chocolate in
small saucepan. Whisk over low heat until
melted. Remove from heat. Combine flour, baking powder
and salt in medium bowl. Using electric mixer,
beat eggs, sugar, peel and vanilla in large bowl until fluffy,
about 2 minutes. Stir in white chocolate mixture. Fold in
dry ingredients. Spread batter in prepared pan. Sprinkle 1
ounce white chocolate atop batter. Bake until golden and top
is dry to touch, about 35 minutes. Cool in pan on rack.
(Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; store at room temperature.)
FOR FILLING: Combine cream and white chocolate in small
saucepan. Whisk over low heat until chocolate melts. Transfer to
medium bowl and chill until cold, about 1 hour. Beat mixture
until stiff peaks form. Fold in sliced berries. Using foil as
aid, lift blondie out of pan and place on work surface.
Using 3-1/2-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut out 4 hearts
(reserve scraps for snacks). Place 1 heart on each of 2 plates.
Spread berry filling over hearts on plates, dividing equally
and maintaining heart shape. Top with remaining hearts set at
slight angle. Gamish plates with halved strawberries, lime
segments and mint. Sift powdered sugar lighily over hearts.