Chocolate Brownies

Everyone loves these brownies.  These are great as a celebration cake or decedent dessert, warm with ice cream!  They freeze well too!

This isn't one of my healthy recipes but it is the best brownie recipe I know!  Serves 9- 12 people

Ingredients:

370g caster sugar
80g cacao powder, sieved 60g plain flour, sieved
1 tsp baking powder
4 eggs, lightly beaten
250g melted butter
2tsp vanilla extract
200g choc chips
100g toasted nuts (optional) 

Method:

1. Line your 20cm square ovenproof dish with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 160 °C
2. Place all dry ingredients in a large bowl.
3. Mix together the eggs, melted butter and vanilla in another bowl.
4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until mixed.
5. Add in the chocolate chips and the nuts, if using.
6. Pour the mixture into the tin & spread evenly.
7. Bake at 160°C for 40-45 mins, the brownies should be just set in the centre, but still sticky if you test with a skewer.
8. Allow to cool for 5-10 mins, then cut into squares and allow to cool further in the tin.

Variations: You could use white chocolate chips if you like, or any toasted nut or omit either if you prefer. It is ideal to cut into number shapes and use as a birthday cake as per above.

Serving suggestions: Ideally served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.