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This Sweet Basil Brownie Sundae combines a warm homemade brownie with vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, toasty hazelnuts and fresh basil. The basil gives the sundae a sweet and spicy summery kick!
Ok, I know you’re thinking basil on a sundae sounds a little strange. Stick with me, here! It’s pretty amazing.
When Nick and I lived in Pensacola, Florida, one of our favorite restaurants was a tapas place downtown. It was our favorite restaurant in Pensacola, and Nick claims it as his favorite restaurant of all time. We brought anyone who visited us there, and we still sometimes dream about some of their dishes.
One of them is dessert. They serve a molten chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream, toasty nuts and fresh basil. Basil? Yep, basil. The first time we went to the place our server convinced us to try it, despite the apprehensive looks we gave him. He swore it was amazing. And holy smokes, guys, it was so good. The slightly spicy fresh basil paired so perfectly well with the warm chocolate and velvety vanilla ice cream. It was seriously amazing.
Recently, when I went back to Pensacola on a girls trip, I took my friends to our favorite old haunt. They changed the dessert slightly and now serve the cake with basil ice cream. Though it was really good, it was missing the punch of the fresh basil leaves.
Since then, all I’ve been able to think about is basil and chocolate and ice cream.
Especially since it’s summer and I have so much fresh basil in my garden. I’ve made a bunch pestos, I’ve been topping all my omelets and salads with basil, and I still have a ton of it.
So finally, I put my own spin on the amazing dessert combination. Nothing says summer like fresh basil. Except ice cream! Summer is all about ice cream, so this was the perfect time of year to combine the two.
Since I haven’t quite mastered the molten chocolate cake, I decided to go with a warm homemade brownie instead. There aren’t many things better in life than a warm homemade brownie. I added some hot fudge so I wouldn’t miss the molten center. Then topped it all with toasted hazelnuts, Blue Bunny Vanilla Bean ice cream and fresh basil. Is there any better way to celebrate summer than with an ice cream sundae?
- FOR THE BROWNIES:
- 1 stick butter, melted
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup cocoa powder
- ¼ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- FOR THE SUNDAES:
- Blue Bunny Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
- Toasted hazelnuts, roughly chopped
- Hot fudge
- Fresh basil, cut in thin strips
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a medium bowl, combine butter, sugar, vanilla and eggs. In another bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, and stir until well mixed. Fold in the chocolate chips. Spread in a nonstick sprayed 8-inch square baking dish.
- Bake 25 to 30 minutes until the edges of the brownies begin to pull away from the pan. Cool completely before cutting.
- To make the sundaes, top warmed brownies with hot fudge, hazelnuts and a big scoop of vanilla ice cream. Sprinkle chopped basil on top.
After shopping in my garden for the basil, I headed to Walmart to pick up the rest of my ingredients. They carry a huge variety of Blue Bunny ice cream flavors. This time I was only looking for vanilla, but even at that I had my choice– Vanilla, Homemade Vanilla or Vanilla Bean! The little specks always draw me in, so I went with the Vanilla Bean this time. But they have tons of options!
If you are around for the 4th of July weekend and looking for summer fun, Blue Bunny will be partnering with Chips Ahoy for some yummy demos at Walmart. Check out this list to see when your local store will be hosting!
And if you can’t make it, head over to the Blue Bunny website to see all their delicious flavors. Which one is your favorite?!
I definitely need to give basil a try in a sweeter dessert like this! This looks so delicious, especially since it’s sooo hot outside right now too.
I’m so jealous, my basil is currently dying…guess Canadian summers are still not warm enough for it 😉 Such an unusual flavor combination! I will have to give it a try!
Awww man, bummer! How about planting some indoors!? This was so, so yummy… definitely give it a try!
I’ve never thought to add basil to ice cream before, but it sounds so intriguing! I love how it gives the chocolate some flavor. So creative, Jess!
So, the basil does seem strange at first, but I guess it isn’t much different than adding fresh mint leaves. I bet it’s actually really great. Now I’m excited to try it. #client
So yummy! And yes, very similar to mint. It goes great with chocolate– I hope you try it!!
This actually sounds so delicious! I love basil with sweet things. I can’t wait to try this!
First of all, the colors of the basil on the brownie are gorgeous! Secondly, what a cool idea! I’ve never thought of putting fresh herbs on my brownies, but now you peaked my curiosity so I just might have to try it!
It’s SOOO good. I know it sounds weird, but it’s AMAZING!
This looks amazing, Jess! Such a unique spin on a classic dessert. I have never thought to pair basil with a brownie before…but I totally believe you that is delicious – because it sounds awesome. I love basil in desserts and cocktails – it’s a super versatile little guy isn’t it? Can’t wait to try this!
Yes! It’s great in cocktails, too. Just such a yummy, fresh flavor!
Very, very interesting. I feel like I need to give it a try now!!
This looks like a perfect summer treat and yes, the basil threw me, but worth a try!