Blooming Brilliant Brownies

chloe's recipe

This great little recipe is taken from my little book of big treats which ive put together exclusivley for Comic Relief.

Ingredients

250g unsalted butter

200g dark fairtrade chocolate, broken up

optional:75g dried sour cherries

optional:50g chopped nuts

80g cocoa powder, sifted

65g plain flower, sifted

1 teaspoon baking powder

360g caster suger

4 large free-range or organic eggs

optional:zest of 1 orange

optional:250ml creme fresh

Preheat your oven to 180oc/350of/gas 4. Line a 25cm square baking tin with greasebroof paper. In a large bowl over some simmering water, melt the butter and the chocolate and mix until smooth.Add the the cherries and nuts, if your using them, and stir together.In a seperate bowl, mix together the cocoa powder, flour, baking powder and sugar, then add this to the chocolate, cherry and nut mixture.Stir together well.Beat the eggs and mix in until you have a silky consistency.
Pour 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 skewar to come out all clean. The bownies 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 and cut into chunky squares. These make a fantastic dessert served with a dollop of creme fresh mixed with some orange zest.

Temperature & cooking time:
180 degrees, 25 minutes