June was a pretty busy month for me. My daughter graduated from grade 12, and I was occupied organizing ‘Dry Grad’ for her class. This made me step away from blogging for few days. But I think few pictures that I took while setting up the school gym and the indulgent chocolate raspberry brownies will make up for my short absence.
I am not sure how many of you are familiar with ‘Dry Grad’ but it is extremely popular in Canada. It is a grand party organized and hosted exclusively by parents of graduating students to continue their celebration right after their Dinner/Dance (prom). It typically starts at 11:30 and ends at 5:00 am, the following day under full parent supervision. The idea of doing dry grad is to make the graduating moments memorable and to keep the new graduates safe and off the roads after dinner and dance. Parents in dry grad committee make their best effort to offer a variety of fun activities to encourage all graduates to attend and experience fun time with absolutely no alcohol or drugs.
I volunteered to head the decoration team for this year’s Dry Grad. It involved everything from planning, painting, cutting, wrapping, purchasing, setting and cleaning up at the end of the party. When I was told the theme for this year’s party was ‘Virtually Vegas’, I thought plenty of decorations could be purchased from party stores or online. But when I actually went shopping, I realized there was not much stuff available except for some casino decoration and fancy disposable party-ware. I checked online but then again, nothing was cheap and we didn’t have enough funds.
Dry Grad does not receive any financial support from the school. It relies on donations and raise funds to cover the full cost of the party. The bulk amount is taken by the rent of charter buses, entertainment activities, food, gifts and prizes for graduates. So, there isn’t much left for decorations. I looked for small things in different stores just to find good deals, there was huge price difference in some items. I spent months planning and days cutting out decorations all by myself then with the help of two parents managed to put everything together. The wall murals of Vegas hotels ate up all my evenings, but they were worth doing to give the Vegas effect and I kind of enjoyed doing it.
Finally, the much awaited day came and the school gymnasium was transformed into Vegas. The party went rolling with tons of amusement activities from laser tag, photo booth, casino games, Dj, bungee run, pool tables and of course, an endless supply of food and drinks. I didn’t get a chance to take pictures after complete decoration because the set up timing for the above mentioned entertainment activities was too tight and the person in charge had to chase the Party Works people to finish everything in time. They did just before the buses arrived with the students.
Everything is over now and I spent most of my Canada day long weekend relaxing and making these indulgent brownies. I first saw them on Pinterest and pinned it to my cookies, bars and brownies board. Since it is summer time and fresh raspberries are in season I thought it appropriate to treat myself with something indulgent after so much hard work. The brownies came out pretty good. They are quick and easy to make, but the mousse layer on top needs some time in the fridge to set and can easily be made ahead.
These brownies themselves have a great dense texture and rich chocolate flavor, the addition of raspberries and chocolate chunks in the mousse make them even more indulgent.
A delightful blend of raspberries and chocolate.
Ingredients
- 200 g Callebaut dark chocolate chunks
- 75 g (1 cup) soy flour
- 75 g (3/4 cup) brown rice flour
- 90 g (3/4 cup) brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/3 cup butter
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup mashed, fresh raspberries
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 150 g Callebaut chocolate chunks
- 250 g cream cheese
- 1/3 cup whipping cream
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup mashed raspberries
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Grease a 9" square baking pan and line the bottom and two sides with a piece of parchment paper. Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Melt the chocolate chunks in either a double boiler or the microwave..Stir, cool to room temperature.
- Combine soy and brown rice flour, baking powder and salt in a small bowl. Beat butter, sugar and vanilla extract in a mixer bowl until creamy.
- Add eggs, beat until light and fluffy. Beat in melted chocolate.
- Stir in flour mixture until blended. Stir in mashed raspberries.
- Spread the mixture into prepared baking pan. Bake for 20- 25 minutes or until tester toothpick comes out slightly sticky. Remove from oven and let cool completely in pan on wire rack.
- Chop chocolate chunks into roughly 1/4 " pieces. Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla extract in mixer bowl until creamy.
- Fold in mashed raspberries and chopped chocolate morsels.
- Beat cream in a small mixer bowl until stiff peaks form. Fold into raspberry cream cheese mixture until blended. Spread mousse over cooled brownie. Refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight. Cut into bars.
Notes
Recipe adapted from Chocolate Raspberry Brownie Mousse Delight.
Coffee and Crumpets
Wow! I am impressed Bal! You did a fantastic job with the decorating. The high school here also has something similar but I didn’t volunteer when my daughter graduated. I doubt I will volunteer when my other daughter graduates in a couple of years! I just don’t have the energy.
These brownies are definitely a well deserved treat after all your hard work. They look amazing and are aptly named.
Nazneen
Balvinder
I have always volunteered in my daughter’s school all these years but did not want to do it for grade 12, then I realized it was her last year and thought of helping out one last time. The brownies really are good and so satisfying.
Malti Sharma
That’s really cool Neetu! I still have two years for my older son to graduate but I can’t imagine myself creating something like this, I don’t have that potential….. Raspberries are one of my favorite berry fruit and they sound delcious in chocolate brownies!
Balvinder
Malti, when I first saw the total area I had to decorate I was at wit’s end. I had never done something like this but then ideas start flowing when the deadline came near. So don’t worry when the time comes you will know what you can help with. Right now enjoy the Raspberry brownie.
CCU
The decor looks so awesome my friend 😀
The effort must have been absolutely insane! You deserved these warm and delicious brownies!
Cheers
CCU
Balvinder
Thank you Uru, It was definitely insane because I did not have enough help.
Monica
What a terrific job you did for your daughter and the graduating class! The decorations look awesome. You most definitely deserved these raspberry brownies. I love dense brownies and the additional chocolate chunks. Pairing it with raspberry mousse just takes it to a whole other level. You’ll be asked to head up the decorating *and* food committees for every school party soon if you’re not careful! ; )
Balvinder
Monica, I have only one child and her schooling is done with this Dry Grad. Now I worry no more 🙂
I wanted to make the ice cream brownie cake that you made but was feeling a little lazy so decided to go for mousse layered brownie.
Nava Krishnan
Great effort and respect all the parents for coming together for such a joyous occasion. I read that no alchohol was served and I wish more will also do the same. Here, sometimes such graduation parties can get wild and the after effects can be terrible. I love the deco . The colors to coincide with “Vegas” is stunning. Also, the indulgent is another I can take my eyes off.
Balvinder
Its pity that not all parents come to help in this event but even then every school try to organise DRY GRAD. The students do not get a chance to leave the premises after dinner and dance and their bags are checked in the school before they change into casual clothing. There are so many activities going on the whole night that they do not feel the need to drink or get wild. Thank you so much Nava for lovely words.
Angie@Angie's Recipes
The mousse topping looks berry tempting!
Vicki Bensinger
What a fun project you had to work on for your daughters graduation. It’s something both of you will always remember. I’m sure your daughter was thrilled that you helped out. These brownies look delicious. I love the topping. Is she going away for college or staying in town?
Balvinder
That’s true Vicki. My daughter loved the decoration and she was very much thrilled that I did this for her class. She is staying in town, luckily she got into the university she wanted to go. So I will be cooking and baking just as before.
Norma Chang
“Dry Grad”, never heard of it before, but what a wonderful and memorable idea for the graduates and especially for your daughter with you so involved. I can just imagine the amount of planning, work and expenses that went into this event, but as a parent, it is all worth it. Congratulations to the graduate and parents.
Balvinder
Yup, Dry Grad is lot of work and needs total involvement. As a parent I was satisfied that I contributed something towards my daughter’s class. Thanks Norma!
anne
Bal , you’re very creative – the diy decorations look fantastic ! Wish all graduating students will have this kind of celebration 🙂 Good job , Mom !
These brownies look indulgent indeed and pretty to boot ! You had me at your raspberry topping 😀
Balvinder
Anne I was always creative but many things have taken a back seat in life. This opportunity knocked on that closed doors and I was overjoyed to work for the school. Thanks, Anne! The raspberry topping IS delicious, and I’m sure you would love it.
Amelia
Hi Balvinder, the ‘Dry Grad’ night decoration is fantastic and absolutely beautiful. You’re very creative and innovative, 2 thumbs up for you. Congratulation to you and daughter. 🙂
Not forgetting your brownies, it look awesome. I especially love the topping. 🙂
Have a wonderful weekend.
Balvinder
Thanks Amelia for the sweet words. Topping of these brownies is indeed delicious!
Have a wonderful weekend!
amy @ fearless homemaker
Wow, I am so impressed – the Dry Grad party looks SO professional and gorgeous! I wish we had such a party for after prom when I was in high school. =) And these brownies? Look just as impressive – YUM!
Balvinder
Hi Amy, Thank you so much for your lovely compliments, that make me feel really appreciated. I too wish that every school should have such memorable events when school ends and ‘the rest of life begins’.
easyfoodsmith
The decorations look amazing and all the hard work that you put in with other parents is there to be seen in all the pics. The decor gives a feel of cheerfulness.
The brownies with the pink mouse definitely make them indulgent but that’s how they were meant to be I suppose!
Julia
These look splendid. Now all I need to do is adapt that raspberry mousse to become dairy free. Your photos are highly motivating!
Balvinder
Dairy free, that would be very interesting, I w’d love to know your substitution for it.
Jennifer Eloff
Those look amazing! How creative!
Liz
Congrats to your daughter! And you did a marvelous job with the gym decor…so perfect! And your brownies look terrific, too.
Nami | Just One Cookbook
Wow, you are a super mom! I probably can’t handle the stress. =P I am sure everyone had a memorable time thanks to your hard work! Your chocolate raspberry brownies look delicious!
Cindy (Vegetarian Mamma)
What a FUN looking party! That is a great concept! The brownies looked amazing! Thanks for linking up at our Gluten Free Fridays party! I have tweeted and pinned your entry to our Gluten Free Fridays board on Pinterest! 🙂
Hope your week is great!
Cindy from vegetarianmamma.com