Snow Flecked Brownies - Sweet and Simple Bakes

No dilly dallying for me today (I know! The shock must be over whelming!) these brownies are the best ever and I insist you try making them for yourself ... right now!

OK - maybe there will be a little bit of dilly dallying. But only so I can say that this recipe was chosen by Maria for the December challenge for Sweet and Simple Bakes ~ somebody needs to give this woman a sainthood!

Snow Flecked Brownies

375g best quality dark chocolate (I used milk chocolate)

375g unsalted butter

1 tbsp real vanilla extract

6 large eggs

350g vanilla caster sugar

1 tsp salt

225g plain flour

250g white chocolate buttons, chips or chunks

2 tsp icing sugar, for dusting

Tin measuring approx 33 x 23 x 5.5cm

Preheat the oven to 180C.

Line the tin with baking parchment or foil.

Melt the butter and dark chocolate together in a large heavy based pan.

In a bowl or wide mouthed measuring jug, beat the eggs together with the caster sugar and vanilla extract.

Allow the chocolate mixture to cool a little, then add the egg and sugar mixture and beat well. Fold in the flour and salt. Then stir in the white chocolate. Beat to combine then scrape and pour the brownie mixture into the prepared tin.

Bake for 25 mins (mine was closer to 35 mins but my oven does seem to run on the slow side!). You can see when the brownies are ready because the top dries to a slightly paler brown speckle, while the middle remains dark, dense and gooey. Its important to keep checking on the brownie while its cooking, a few minutes can be the difference between ecstasy and disappointment, remember that the mixture will continue to cook once it has been removed from the oven.

To serve, cut into squares while still warm and pile up on a large plate, sprinkling with icing sugar pushed with a teaspoon through a small sieve.

Makes approx 20 (for happier hips I've cut mine a bit smaller and will give them out to work mates!)

Sweet and Simple Bakes

Yes ~ my arteries hardened just reading the ingredient list too, but trust me, its totally worth it!
Please head over to the website tomorrow to check out how the rest of the gang got on with this months challenge. Many thanks to Maria ;0)