Need a simple and quick dessert that will wow everyone not only by it’s appearance, but by it’s heavenly flavor? This strawberry brownie torte is the dessert for you! It also combines two things I love…chocolate and strawberries.
One of the things that makes this recipe quick and easy is the fact that you are using a packaged brownie mix. I only used one box of Krusteaz Gluten Free Double Chocolate Brownie Mix for two 9 inch round cake pans. It is important to grease your cake pans well. I also traced the bottom of my cake pan onto parchment paper and cut out that circle to put in the bottom of the cake pan AFTER I greased the bottom and sides with butter. It will look like there is not much batter in the two cake pans, but TRUST ME, this will work out great.
The second thing that makes this strawberry brownie torte quick and easy is that the pudding layer literally has 4 ingredients, and one of those is water.π Whipping cream is one of the ingredients. I whip up 1 C of whipping cream with 1 TBSP sugar and then measure the amount I need for the recipe. You can use the extra whipping cream for something else.
Strawberry Brownie Torte
Equipment
- 2 9 inch round non-stick cake pans
- 1 large mixing bowl
- 1 hand mixer
- 1 cooling rack
- spatulas, whisk, measuring cups
- parchment paper
- cake stand
Ingredients
Brownie Layer
- 1 box gluten free brownie mix make according to directions: I sub melted refined coconut oil instead of regular oil
Pudding Layer
- 1 small pkg vanilla instant pudding
- 1/2 C water
- 1 can sweetened and condensed milk
- 1 1/2 C whipping cream whipped to stiff peaks
- 1 TBSP sugar
Strawberries Layer
- 1 quart fresh strawberries, sliced can use more as desired or use raspberries instead
Instructions
Brownies
- Pre-heat oven according to package directions(mine is 325 degrees). Prepare two 9 inch round non-stick cake pans by greasing bottom and sides with butter. Place a round piece of parchment paper in the bottom of the pans after greasing.(I trace the cake pans on parchment paper, then cut it out)
- Mix brownie mix according to the package directions. I like to substitute melted refined coconut oil for the oil in the recipe. Divide batter between the two cake pans and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake at 325 degrees(or whatever you package states) for 20 minutes.
- Remove from oven when done and let cool completely in the pan. Carefully using a knife, loosen the brownies from the sides of the cake pans. Then carefully dump out the brownies onto a cutting board. And then using a second cutting board, flip the brownie rounds over again(so they are right side up) and set aside.
Making the Pudding Layer
- In a large bowl, pour 1 C heavy whipping cream. Add 1 TBSP sugar. Using a hand mixer, whip the cream to stiff peaks. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, dump in vanilla pudding powder and 1/2 C water. Whisk together until there are no lumps. Add 1 can sweetened and condensed milk. Stir until well combined.
- Add 1 1/2 C of the whipped cream to the pudding mixture and gently fold in using a spatula.
- Cover the bowl, and place the pudding mixture in the fridge for 5 minutes to let is set up and thicken. While the pudding is thickening, slice your strawberries.
Assembling
- Gather your cake stand, or a round platter that you can assemble the torte on. Place one brownie layer on the cake stand. Pour half of the pudding mixture onto the brownie layer and GENTLY smooth is out to the edges. Place sliced strawberries all around the pudding layer.
- Place the second brownie round on top of the strawberries. Add the rest of the pudding and sliced strawberries. That's it! You are done and it looks beautiful.
- Store in the fridge. This can be make several hours ahead of time as long as you make sure your strawberries are not still wet from washing(they will make the pudding layer start to weep). This dessert tastes great even 12 hours later after assembling.
Whether you are making a romantic dessert for your special Valentine, or serving up a beautiful dessert for your Galentine’s party, this strawberry brownie torte is sure to please anyone- whether they need to eat gluten free or not.
And if you are the care-taker of someone who needs to eat gluten free or you are cooking for yourself, sometimes it’s nice to have a quick and easy dessert that looks like you spent hours making it.
Much love and happy baking!
Emma
PS Need another dessert idea? Check out my delicious and moist Chocolate Bundt Cake recipe.
