Darkly delicious, spicy and cool, these are dynamite brownies. |
Fire and Snow Brownies Adapted from Nigella Lawson, Feast Makes about 20 generous brownies ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** Since baking is more science than art, I prefer to weigh my ingredients whenever possible. But if you are more comfortable with measures, I have calculated (to the best of my ability) what they would be. I also give both imperial and metric measurements. The chili powder gives great depth to the rich chocolate flavor and the white chocolate chips give a burst of cool sweetness on the tongue. For chocolate, I like using Callebaut Bittersweet, but it is a more expensive brand. Baker’s choice premium dark chocolate gives an excellent result as well and is more economical. I have also found that different chili powders result in slightly different flavors.I have used both chipotle chili powder (a slightly smokier flavour), and ancho chili powder. 375g (13 oz.) unsalted butter 375g (13 oz.) best-quality dark chocolate 6 eggs 350g (12 oz.) (2 cups) white sugar 1Tbsp real vanilla extract 225g (8 oz.) (2 ¼ cups after sifting) cake and pastry flour 1Tbsp chili powder 1 tsp. salt 250g (9 oz.) white chocolate chips 2 tsp. icing sugar for dusting 1. Pre-heat the oven to 175°C (350°F) and line the bottom of a 9x13 inch pan with parchment paper. 2. Melt the butter and chocolate together in a large heavy-based pan over a low heat 3. In a bowl beat the eggs together with the sugar and vanilla 4. Allow the chocolate mixture to cool a little, then add the egg and sugar mixture and beat well. 5. Fold in the flour, chili and salt 6. Then stir in the white chocolate chips. Beat to combine and pour the brownie mixture into the prepared tin. 7. Bake for about 25 minutes (or more – you can tell when the top dries to a slightly paler brown speckle while the middle remains dark, dense and gooey. 8. Cut into squares while still warm and very gooey and pile up on a large plate, sprinkling with icing sugar pushed through a small sieve. |