Chocolate Brownies (mmmm!)

This recipe for Brownies is my go to recipe whenever I need something indulgent for an afternoon tea or supper. The chocaholics usually love these and sometimes top them with chocolate ganache for a really rich and indulgent treat. The Awesome Sauce recipe included in this post will make good topping if allowed to cool and until nearly set.

It is a great base recipe that can also be adapted to make caramel flavoured brownies or blondies. The caramel version is very yummy with macadamia nuts or almond slivers stirred through the mixture.

I usually make the full quantity, however, the recipe is easily halved to make a smaller amount.

For an easy dessert cut into larger pieces and serve warm either directly from oven or reheated in the microwave. Top with a dollop of  hot chocolate sauce and icecream/cream.  At my house the chocolate sauce is referred to as the awesome sauce - thanks Jesse for giving my sauce a name.

How to make Brownies

collect ingredients

grease and line tin

 Place chocolate and butter in glass bowl and melt in microwave. Use medium heat. It should take about 3 minutes. Alternative method, use a bowl over hot water. Stir regularly until mixture is smooth

 Add sugar to mixture and stir well, then add vanilla, flour and eggs. Mix well.

 Place mixture into a greased and lined tin.

 Bake at 160 deg celsius until firm on the edges and slightly soft in the middle. It will take about 40-60 minutes depending on the depth of the tin.

Allow to cool for a few minutes and then lift out onto a cooling rack.

 Cut up brownie and place in an airtight container or jar. The brownie should have a slightly gooey look when sliced

 Serve with a dust of icing sugar.

Brownies

Ingredients for full quantity 250 gms butter 400 gms dark chocolate/2 large blocks – I prefer 70%cocoa 4 eggs 2 cups castor sugar 2 cups plain flour 1 tablespoon vanilla extract (not essence)

Ingredients for half quantity 125 gms butter 200 gms dark chocolate /1 large block – I prefer 70%cocoa 2 eggs 1 cups castor sugar 1 cups plain flour 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (not essence)

Method

Place chocolate and butter in glass bowl and melt in microwave. Use medium heat. It should take about 3 minutes. Alternative method, use a bowl over hot water. Stir regularly until mixture is smooth.

Add sugar to mixture and stir well, then add vanilla, flour and eggs. Mix well

Place mixture into a greased and lined tin.

Bake at 160⁰ until firm on the edges and slightly soft in the middle. It will take about 40-60 minutes depending on the depth of the tin. See below.

Allow brownies to stand for a few minutes and then lift out and place on cooling rack.

Cut up brownie and place in an airtight container or jar.

Serve with a dust of icing sugar. 

Variations

Caramel: substitute white chocolate and brown sugar

Blondie: substitute white chocolate

Add dried fruit and nuts to taste

Use a large slice tin for full quantity. I use a rectangular slice tin that is approximately 21 cm wide, 29 cm long and 3 cm deep. For a half quantity I use a square cake tin 18cm wide,18cm long and 4cm deep.

Awesome Sauce

Ingredients

 100 ml cream 

200 g/large block dark chocolate 

2 teaspoons vanilla extract  

for big kids 

1 tablespoon Kahlua/Tia Maria/brandy/Grand Marnier or Cointreau  

Method

Place chocolate and cream in glass bowl and melt in microwave. Use medium heat. It should take about 3 minutes.When melted stir in vanilla or big kids flavouring.