Chocolate Brownies

This is the receipe for my favourite chocolate brownies, taken from 'Confident Cooking, Brownies Fudges and Toppings'. ISBN 3-89508-990-7

Basic Brownies

Prep time: 20 mins + cooling
Total time 40mins Makes 24

150g butter
125g dark chocolate chopped
3 eggs
375g caster sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
125g plain flour
30g cocoa powder

1. Preheat the oven to moderate 180 C/350 F/ gas 4. Brush a 20com square cake tin with oil or melted butter. Line the base with baking paper, extending over the 2 sides.

2. Melt the butter an the chocolate in a heatproof bowl, over a pan of simmering water, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly.

3. Use a wire whisk to beat the egges, sugar and vanilla together in a large bowl until well combined. Sift the flour and cocoa together. Whisk the chocolate mixture into the egg mixture and then stir in the sifted flour and coca; do not overbeat.

4. Pour into the perpared tin. Bake for 40 minutes, until slightly risen and just firm to the touch. leave to cook in the tin (it will sink back down to form a flat surface) then lift out and cut into squares when completely cold.