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10 red, white, and blue desserts

Eye-pleasing patriotic desserts in red, white, and blue.

Red velvet flag brownies

The Pastry Chef's Baking
Fourth of July red velvet brownies with white frosting make the perfect bite-sized flag brownies. Use mini M&Ms to make the stars and stripes for the Fourth of July.

By Carol Ramos, The Pastry Chef's Baking

1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, at room temperature
1-1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1-1/4 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 tablespoons red food coloring

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 8- x 8-inch pan with foil and lightly spray with cooking spray.

2. In a small bowl, mix cocoa powder, food coloring and 1 teaspoon of the vanilla to form a paste. Set aside.

3. With an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar till light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, then add second teaspoon of vanilla. With mixer on medium, beat in cocoa paste. Add flour and salt, and mix just until combined.

4. Spread in pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool before frosting.

White frosting

1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, at room temperature
2-1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 ounces white chocolate, melted and cooled slightly
1/2 tablespoon milk

1. Cream butter with mixer till fluffy. Add vanilla.

2. Slowly mix in powdered sugar, then white chocolate. Add enough milk to reach desired consistency. Ice cooled brownies or pipe a star of icing on individual brownies

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Mark Sappenfield
Editor

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