This one goes out to all you lovebirds who…love like you do. This is a little dish I put together for my wife last year: Homemade Brownie with Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream, Strawberry Hearts, and Frangelico Chocolate Sauce. It was delicious, but be careful with the Frangelico. A little bit goes a long way.

The recipe comes from the September 2009 Bon Appetit issue.

Brownie Heart Ice Cream, Strawberry Hearts, and Chocolate Sauce

Amt Meas Ingredient -- Preparation Method

--- ---- --------------------------------  
-----BROWNIES-----

1     c  Sugar

2    tb  Sugar

1/2   c  Unsalted butter

1/4   c  Water

10   oz  Bittersweet chocolate -- chop

3        Large eggs

1     t  Vanilla extract

1     c  Flour -- all purpose

2     t  Flour -- all purpose

1 1/2 T Baking soda

1     t  Salt

3/4   c  Macadamia nuts -- chopped

2    qt  Vanilla ice cream

-----SAUCE-----

8    oz  Bittersweet chocolate -- chopp

1/2   c  Hot coffee or*

6    tb  Frangelico(hazelnut liqueur)


* or 1 1/2 tbsp instant espresso powder dissolved in 1/2 c hot water.
 
         Strawberries, sliced and shaped into hearts, sprinkled with sugar
         Fresh Mint, for garnish

FOR BROWNIES: Preheat oven to 325 deg. F. Line 17x11x1in baking sheet w/ parchment. Bring sugar, butter and water to boil in heavy large saucepan over med. heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to low. Add chocolate; stir until smooth. Whisk eggs and vanilla in large bowl to blend. Gradually whisk in hot chocolate mixture. Mix in flour, baking soda and salt, then nuts.

SPREAD batter over prepared sheet. Bake until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, about 20 min. Cool completely. Freeze until firm.

CUT around brownie to loosen. Turn out onto work surface. Peel off parchment. Trim brownie to heart shape. Place on baking sheet. Cover brownie w/ ice cream. Freeze until slightly firm.

FOR SAUCE: Stir chocolate and coffee in saucepan over low heat until smooth. Add liqueur. (Can be made 1 wk ahead. Cover; chill. Rewarm before serving.)

SERVE by topping brownie with scoop of ice cream, several strawberry hearts, sauce, and a mint garnish.