Hummingbird Bakery Chocolate Brownies

I have had the Hummingbird Bakery cookbook for about a month, and today was the first time I've made anything from it. I have often got it out, drooled over the pics, then put it back again, unsure as to what to make first as it all looks so nice.

The brownies looked pretty simple, and 6 days until my due date, simple is what I require!



200g dark chocolate, roughly chopped
175g unsalted butter
325g caster sugar
130g plain flour
3 eggs
icing sugar, to decorate

a 33 x 23 x 5cm baking tray, lined with greaseproof paper

Makes about 12 portions

1. Preheat the oven to 170C / 325F / GM3

2. Put the chocolate an butter in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water (do not let the base of the bowl touch the water). Leave until melted and smooth.


3. Remove from the heat. Add the sugar and stir until well incorporated. Add the flour and stir until well incorporated. Finally, stir in the eggs and mix until thick and smooth.




4. Spoon the mixture into the prepared baking tray and bake in the preheated oven for about 30-35 minutes, or until flaky on the top but still soft in the centre. Be careful not to overcook otherwise the edges will become hard and crunchy. Leave to cool completely before dusting with icing sugar, to decorate. [I cooked mine for 30 mins in a fan oven, and I think this was a little too long. Next time I will try 25 minutes, so the middle is a little more gooey, and the edges not so crunchy].


I tried to get a little creative by making a heart shaped stencil to use for the icing sugar stage, but it didn't quite go to plan!

The smell coming from the kitchen while these were cooking was absolutely divine. I had to try one as soon as they were out of the oven and they were indeed, delicious. A couple of weeks ago I discovered a packet mix of Betty Crocker chocolate brownies, for when I was going to make this delicious looking creation, but hadn't got round to - and decided to make them. Betty, yours are not a patch on these!

As I mentioned above, next time I make them, I shall try baking them for less time, to get more goo in the middle of the brownie, which is how I prefer them. And shall also refrain from going mad with icing sugar stencils... a nice delicate dusting would have been preferable!