Raspberry Chocolate Boxes

I'm not really a holiday person (with the exception of Halloween...), but I do have favorite recipes I've created that are inspired by specific occasions. This one is super easy but looks fancy, and has been a crowd pleaser in our home for years. Plus it uses homegrown ingredients! This dessert is inspired by the raspberries I harvested from the garden and stored in my freezer (y0u can use strawberries too).

I'm sharing my Raspberry Chocolate Boxes—just in time for Valentines Day! These are just like those little raspberry cream chocolates found in the heart-shaped boxes of chocolates, except the inside is CAKE made with homegrown raspberries and homemade applesauce.

RASPBERRY CHOCOLATE BOXES
Ingredients
2 cups fresh raspberries, washed (can use frozen but thawed)
1/4 cup water
1/3 cup butter (dairy or plant-based), softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup milk (dairy or plant-based)
1.25 cups flour, sifted
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

For the Chocolate
6 tbsp butter (dairy or plant-based)
3 cups bittersweet chocolate chips
Fresh raspberries to garnish, optional

DIRECTIONS
Heat oven to 350F. Make a purée by combining raspberries and 1/4 cup water in a blender. Blend until smooth.

Beat sugar and butter on high for 2 minutes in a stand mixer. Add applesauce, vanilla and milk. Mix on low for 30 seconds. In a separate bowl, blend flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Mix well and then add to the wet ingredients in the stand mixer. Blend until just combined. Next add purée and stir but do not over-mix. Pour into a greased cake pan (I use an 8x8” square). Bake for 24-28 minutes or until done.

Allow to cool completely. Turn cake out onto parchment paper. Slice the cake into 1x1”squares.

In a double boiler or microwave safe bowl, melt 6 tablespoons butter and chocolate chips. Carefully dip cake squares into chocolate to coat. Set on parchment paper and repeat until all cake is dipped. Top each square with a fresh raspberry if desired. Place in the refrigerator and allow to chill to harden chocolate. Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.