Merry Christmas Everyone,
Well my little bambino arrived just in time for Christmas and with the terrible dreary weather outside I have decided there is nothing for it but it get baking some fab Christmas delights.
This is THE most fantastic brownie recipe ever – you will never need another one – EVER ! I promise.
To decorate, use this simple and slightly healthier chocolate sauce recipe and garnish with m&m’s or red fondant noses, eyes ( Homestore and More or The Range for these guys ) and some pretzels ( Penn State are my fav ) .
Enjoy and be sure to tag us in your creations over on our social media channels.
With Fun & Deliciousness,
Aisling
What You'll Need
Makes 10
Brownies
125g butter
100g dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids), broken up
40g cocoa powder, sifted
35g plain flour, sifted
½ teaspoon baking powder
180g caster sugar
2 large free-range or organic eggs
Chocolate Sauce
50mls water
50g castor sugar
250g good quality chocolate 50-60% cocoa
15g butter
Decorations
Pretzels
Red M&M’s or red fondant noses
Christmas sprinkles
Edible eyes
Equipment
saucepan
metal/glass bowl
spatula
weighing scales
sieve
baking tray
parchment paper
How to Do It
Brownies.............
- 1Preheat your oven to 180°C/350°F/gas 4 and line a 25cm square baking tin with greaseproof paper.
- 2In a large bowl over some simmering water, melt the butter and the chocolate and mix until smooth. In a separate bowl, mix together the cocoa powder, flour, baking powder and sugar, then add this to the chocolate mixture. Stir together well. Beat the eggs and mix in until you have a silky consistency.
- 3Pour your brownie mix into the baking tray, and place in the oven for around 25 minutes. You don’t want to overcook them so, unlike cakes, you don’t want a skewer to come out all clean. The brownies should be slightly springy on the outside but still gooey in the middle. Allow to cool in the tray, then carefully transfer to a large chopping board to decorate.
Decorating Time
- 1To make the chocolate sauce place the water and sugar in a saucepan. Place on a medium heat and sit a heat proof bowl on top.
Pop the chocolate in and allow to melt slowly.
When melted, using oven gloves lift the bowl off the saucepan .
Slowly pour the sugar syrup ( water and sugar from saucepan) into the chocolate and whisk.
Add in the butter and whisk again until thick and glossy. - 2Pour the chocolate sauce over the cooled brownies and begin to decorate .
Place 2 eyes, a red nose and a pretzel snapped in half for the antlers randomly around the top of the entire brownie.
Sprinkle with Christmas sprinkles and allow to set.
Cut chunks and enjoy.