Mariano's Amanda Puck and Chef Casey Doody serve up sweet Labor Day magic

At Mariano’s it is all about the culinary collabs! Recently I was able to collaborate with Pastry Chef and friend Casey Doody from GT Prime and Boka Catering Group. Casey makes the most delicious and FUN desserts. From Baked Alaska to Key Lime Pie to Tiramisu and yes, you heard this right, fudgy brownies with mashed avocado. She always adds the WOW factor.

This recipe is perfect for your Labor Day cookout! Not only will you bring or serve the best dessert, but everyone will be begging you for the recipe. The avocado adds a fudgy texture, and it is a heart healthy choice. Now you are combing two superfoods, dark chocolate and avocado, which is an unexpected surprise. You can serve these with whipped cream, ice cream or plant-based ice cream. You guests can make their own Brownie Sunday with a variety of toppings and ice cream!

This recipe calls for grams, so if you have not invested in a gram scale I highly recommend doing so. Baking is a more precise science than a savory pasta recipe for example. The ingredients work together to create the perfect crumb, texture and more. To get it all right and not be a smidge off, the gram scale is the way to go. I use mine when baking, making pasta and sauces.

Of course, Casey did share her recipe with us on a recent visit to WGN studios, so you can whip these up this weekend!

Casey’s Avocado Brownies

Eggs, 4  each     

Sugar, 400 grams

Vanilla, 1T

Mashed Avocados from Peru, 280 grams

Powder Sugar, 120 grams           

Ghirardelli Cocoa Powder, 112 grams    

Salt, 1/2t           

AP Flour, 142 grams      

Ghirardelli Dark Choc Chunks, 170grams

1.           Combine flour, cocoa, salt.

2.           Melt chocolate. Mix in powder sugar, granulated sugar. Paddle in the mashed avocado.

3.           Pour in chocolate mix to the dried.

4.           Add eggs

5.           Bake 325 – 20-30 min low fan

A few last tips!

1. Avocados can replace fat in recipes by a one-to-one ratio. If your recipe calls for 280 grams of oil/butter, simply replace it with 280 grams of avocado.

2. Make sure your avocados are RIPE. Always purchase avocados days in advance of when you need to use them. You can pull the nub off the top and if it easily comes off and you can see the green fruit, that’s perfect. They should also feel soft yet firm when you squeeze them.

WGN link: WGNTV.com Daytime Chicago website Link