I know what you're thinking. Well, I think I know what you're thinking. Yeah. Colorado, the pot state. Or in a state of pot. Depends how you look at it. OK. We all know my informative years were in the early 70's. I missed the 60's. Darn it! But I lived in a small town, so it took the 60's awhile to get there. I think. I was never very good at math. So what do white chocolate blueberry brownies have to do with Red Rocks?
If you don't live in the colorful state of Colorado (yes, that is really on our license plate) you may not even know what Red Rocks is. And yes, it does involve red rocks. Red Rocks is a natural amphitheatre that is one of the top concert venues in the United States. With wonderful acoustics and a phenomenal view of the skyline of Denver, Red Rocks has been a concert venue since 1906. It even saw the Beatles perform in 1964 and was the only show that didn't sell out for them on their US tour. (How's that for trivia, Charles?)
There is never any reason to not accept a date at Red Rocks. When our friends called to say they had 2 extra tickets and would we want to go, there was no question in my mind as to what we were doing that night. It was a perfect evening. And Red Rocks was just as I remembered it. Except the audience was a tad older. The hair cuts were most definitely different. There was still a sweet pungent odor to the air. The music was not quite how I remembered it, as this concert involved the Denver Symphony and Bonnie was nowhere around! But Red Rocks still enchants.
(So now as I sit here drinking a Diet Coke that says, "Share with a Go Getter"; (which I guess means you are all go getters...) the can reminds me of a story Alex told me about a friend of his from Australia, who when going to a bar and being asked what he did, would reply in his strong Aussie accent, "I'm a real go getter". According to Alex this also helped him pick up all the girls.) But back to the picnic... yes, we brought a picnic. A pretty good picnic. I made a miso dip. We had mango, coconut, shrimp summer rolls with peanut sauce and we picked up banh mi's. With some fruit and veggies we were good to go. Of course we started with the brownies-just kidding! Get your minds out of the gutter. This wasn't a Pretty Lights concert, for Pete's sake!
We finished with the brownies and they were decadently good. I know these aren't your traditional type of brownie and they aren't fudgy like one, but they are dense; almost like a bite of poundcake. We like them chilled which makes them more fudgelike than cakelike. Their crumb is sticky, not at all dry and crumbly. Really, how could eating a dense, huge brownie studded with blueberries and covered thickly with chocolate frosting, on a gorgeous night with good friends, while listening to music and watching the sunset, be bad? Just one thing was missing. Bonnie, where were you?
And all right. Just one more thing. The brownies, for the record, are still quite magical.
White Chocolate Blueberry Brownies with Dark Chocolate Frosting
Adapted From: Ghirardelli
Yield: 16-32 servings (Depending on if you like them baby size or MONDO size)
Ingredients:
16 oz Ghirardelli white Chocolate (Broken into pieces)
2 sticks unsalted butter
4 lg eggs
⅓ c sugar
⅓ c brown sugar
1 T vanilla
2 c flour
¾ t salt
1 c fresh blueberries, washed
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350.
Line a 13 x 9 pan with parchment paper. Melt white chocolate and butter. (I use a microwave, but white chocolate is notorious for burning. Do this slowly while mixing in between.) Stir until smooth. Cool to room temperature.
Beat one egg at a time into cooled chocolate/butter mixture. Stir in sugars and vanilla. Fold in flour, salt and blueberries.
Bake 30-45 minutes. Top should not be jiggly. Do not over bake as their texture will not be dense and fudgey. Cool and chill.
Frost if desired. The recipe above is enough frosting for a three layer cake. It is delicious frosting.
Slice into squares and feel the magic.
More Good Things:
Lemon Thyme Biscotti Crackers
Grilled and Lightly Smoked Peruvian Chicken
Crispy Chipotle Shrimp and Corn
Spaghetti Bolognese
Meatball Vietnamese Noodle Bowl
Donburi Bowl
Strawberry Spiral Biscuit Pie
Sippity Sup says
Red Rocks is on my Bucket List and now these brownies are too. GREG
Sugar et al says
You cannot go wrong with chocolate, can you? Brownie or blondie...I am up for anything with chocolate. This one has a double dose. YUMMM!
Joyti says
I think I'd heard Red Rocks, the name, but didn't really know what it was. Sounds like an amazing place for a concert.
And these brownies? Yum!
Anna and Liz Recipes says
Abbe, I traveled to Denver only once in 1979 and only wished I knew about the Red Rocks then. I bet your brownies were fabulous! Gee, do your friends know how lucky they are to have you as their friend? I hope they do!
Joanne says
Well your picnic sounds like a lot of fun! Even if there were no BROWNIE brownies involved. 😛 These look like a delicious substitute!
vanillasugarblog says
Hey now!
This is my kind of brownie!
Shirley Tay says
I haven't heard of Red Rocks, but the name is tempting enough to get me there. I'm sure it'll be a great concert with some of your brownies to go with it. TGIF, dear!
Guru Uru says
Mmm, these brownies look so addictive 😀 I bet with some music in the background, it would be a fabulous combo! 🙂
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Natalie G says
This looks so good, love the combo of fruit and chocolate!
Zoe says
Hi Abbe,
It is such a shame that I have been Colorado or Red Rocks before. Surely, the music at Red Rocks must be extra good when it is enjoyed with good food. Totally agree that these blueberry brownies make a great finale to this concert 😀
Zoe
Bam's Kitchen says
I think that eating one of these little magical brownies and I might be in heaven. I actually love the idea of the blondes with a little chocolate. I have not yet been to Red Rock but need to put that on my bucket list one day. Take Care, BAM
Ansh says
Red Rocks is MAGICAL. Went there to see Celtic woman show and we were mesmerized. Of course these brownies would have added to the magic. But I didn't know you then!! YUMMY brownies!
Amy says
These look so yummy and gorgeous. Can't wait to give them a try!
SavoringTime in the Kitchen says
What a gorgeous venue it is! My daughter has been there but sadly, I have not. But, those brownies would be perfect anytime, anywhere.
Abbe Odenwalder says
Imagine and then eat a brownie! It is worth a try!
CQUEK says
what time can i come over i am ready... it looks so delicious.
Abbe Odenwalder says
Thanks CQUEK! Anytime. My door is open!
Tricia Buice says
Well Abbe - the brownies look great but the memories you brought to me are wonderful! We may have actually crossed paths on the stairs at Red Rocks - I lived in Denver 1979-1984 and attended every single concert I could afford. The best concerts I remember. Marshall Tucker, Charlie Daniels, and so many more. The symphony would have thrilled me. Very nice! And I would have LOVED Bonnie Raitt! I was and am still a fan 🙂
Abbe Odenwalder says
My hubby loved Marshall Tucker and Charlie Daniels and you could very well be right! Maybe we were even in the bathroom together! I love Bonnie!
dentistvschef says
wow, white coco and bluevberry in "brownies", the name already tickle my taste buds!!!!
grat job Abbe
Abbe Odenwalder says
You are the best Dedy!
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
Oh goodness, how would I stop eating these brownies? That would be the hard part! They look sinfully delicious.
Abbe Odenwalder says
Well, you might not. But once they are gone, that's a good sign!
Angie Schneider says
I love to squeeze fruits into my brownies too. These look perfectly dense and moist..pure awesomeness, Abbe.
Abbe Odenwalder says
Most defintiely, angie!
Karen Harris says
The one and only time I've been to Red Rocks was to see my daughter graduate high school. What a special place for that. By the way, did I miss it? Was this a cannabis evening with the symphony? I saw that there was some problem with it, but I never saw how it turned out. Either way, I would have loved your picnic. All the foods sound great to me, especially these brownies.
Abbe Odenwalder says
I'm not sure it was a cannabis evening, but it could have been! LOL! Thanks, Karen!
Biz says
Can I tell you that I secretly love it when your recipes start out with 2 sticks of butter! Oh my!
I've never seen anything like those before, but for damn sure they would be insulin worthy!
Abbe Odenwalder says
Very funny, Biz!
Liz Berg says
Oh, now I can add a concert at Red Rocks to my bucket list! Or at least a picnic with the Odenwalders 🙂 Your brownies sound divine...I love the white chocolate, the density, the blueberries, the frosting...just the whole combination!
Abbe Odenwalder says
Great bucket list item! Plan ahead and we can do it. I'll include the picnic!
Barb | Creative Culinary says
It's been far too long since I've been to Red Rocks. As in a Moody Blues concert many moons ago. These brownies would have been devoured I'm sure if I had brought them; but most likely by the pot smoking kids who would clamor for every last bite! 🙂
Abbe Odenwalder says
Either way, they sure are good!
zoe says
Mom, you crack me up!! Your music knowledge is much better than I remembered. I love and miss you and wish I could have been there to join. And did you take that picture of Red Rocks?!? That looks professional! Love you.
Abbe Odenwalder says
Zoe! You know I am not a professional. I found that photo! And it didn't say who it belonged to, so somebody please claim it! on't I wish? And you know I know quite a lot about Red Rocks. Especially that what happens at Red Rocks-stays at Red Rocks!
Sharon D says
Red Rocks looks like a beautiful place, and it sounds magical ..more so with yummy brownies for company. I don't know if I'll be able to concentrate on the concert with brownies next to me..lol ^.^
Abbe Odenwalder says
Truly a magical place, Sharon! And it is hard to concentrate even on the music when it is so gorgeous all around you!
Kitchen Riffs says
I've heard about Red Rocks forever, but never been. Kinda sorta far from where I am. 😉 But worth it for the concerts! And the brownies. Particularly these brownies. But I'll take any that are on offer. 😉
Abbe Odenwalder says
It's worth the trip, John. And you always have a place to stay! Would love to meet you and Mrs. Riffs one day!