Mummies Treat

When Lil'A has gone to bed, all the dishes have been done, the lounge has been cleaned, and any other chores you can think of that couldn't be completed with the toddler tornado awake... There is nothing better than sitting down with a cuppa and a little sweet treat. In my case tonight, chocolate brownie!!

After trying recipe after recipe for a nice chocolate brownie that didn't taste purely of sugar, I finally found one! Tucked at the back of my recipe book pile calling my name. So of course I have to give Alison Holst the credit for the basis of this recipe, I have adapted it to reduce the sugar and hopefully the guilt that goes with each chocolatey gooey bite...

Chocolate Fudge Brownie

• 100-125 g butter (the reduction to 100 g will not affect the recipe)
• 1/2 - 1 c white sugar (again, reduction will not affect the recipe)
• 2 Eggs (I use Size 7's, 8s would be better for the larger measurements of butter and sugar)
• 1 tsp vanilla essence
• 1 level cup of flour (or 1 c minus 1 tbsp to be accurate)
• 5 Tbsp cocoa
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 c chocolate chips or other desired add in (ie. chopped walnuts)

Preheat oven to 180°C

• Chop butter and place in a microwave proof bowl in the microwave until the butter is melted, but not hot
• Beat in (using a fork or stirrer) the sugar, eggs and vanilla
• Sift in the flour, cocoa and baking powder but do NOT mix yet
• Add in chocolate chips or other add ins then stir until just combined (easiest to do this with a spatula so you can scrape the edges of the bowl)
• Pour mixture into a lined 20cm square tin (it may not be pouring consistency, mine never is. Just scrape with your spatula into the bowl and then push the mix out to the edges. It will distribute itself a little during the baking process)
• Bake for 30 minutes or until a cake skewer (knitting needle, narrow knife) comes out without cake batter on it (don't be tricked if it has melted chocolate chips on it)
• Allow to cool in the tin for at least 20 minutes before removing, and preferably allow to cool fully before portioning

This brownie is perfect in little bite size pieces with icing sugar dusted on top. Just remember, if its that good, you don't have to share it :)