Gourmet Raspberry Fudge Brownies

These are AWESOME! Raspberry and Chocolate just seem to go together somehow, and these are just decadent! I once had Raspberry Chocolate Brownies made by a gourmet chef, and these are just as good as or better than they were! The extra work is worth it...TRUST ME :)

• Ready In: 50 mins
• Yields: 16 brownies

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup butter
• 3  ounces bittersweet chocolate (OR 2 ounces semisweet chocolate AND 1 ounce unsweetened chocolate)
• 2  eggs
• 1  cup sugar
• 1  teaspoon vanilla
• 3⁄4 cup flour
• 1⁄4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1  dash salt
• 1⁄2 cup  slivered almonds
• 1⁄2 cup  raspberry preserves
• 1  cup  milk chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Butter and flour an 8 inch square pan.
3. Melt butter and bittersweet chocolate in a small heavy saucepan on low heat or in microwave until melted.
4. Allow to cool.
5. Beat eggs, sugar and vanilla in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
6. Beat in chocolate mixture.
7. Stir in flour, powder and salt until just blended.
8. Spread 3/4 of batter in prepared pan and sprinkle almonds evenly over top.
9. Bake for 10 minutes, remove from oven and spread preserves over almonds.
10. Spoon remaining batter over preserves, carefully smoothing top.
11. Bake for 25 minutes or until top just begins to feel firm.
12. Remove from oven and sprinkle evenly with chocolate chips.
13. Let stand until chips are melted and then spread evenly over brownies.
14. Cool completely on wire rack.
15. Cut into squares.