As you know I love cooking, it gives me great joy to cook for my Family but also my Friends, cooking brings us together and it is my way of showing them just how much I love and care about them, this following recipe is for a special Friend and I will explain why I have dedicated this one to her.

 
Christine and I have know each other for well over 20 years now, we have been through so much together, always been there for each other, through the good times and the bad times, I know longer class Christine as my Friend but a Sister, she is extremely special to me.
 
I have cooked for Christine many times over the years, but I know the one thing she always remembers, comments on and loves are my chocolate brownies. Just as well really as she is a fussy one to cook for and she would be the first to admit this.
 
Well Cris, this one is for you with all my love, hope you enjoy them Honey.

 

 
Chocolate Brownies – Makes a maximum of 48
 
375g soft unsalted butter
375g best-quality dark chocolate
6 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
500g caster sugar (I like to use golden caster sugar)
225g plain flour
1 teaspoon salt
300g chopped walnuts
 
Tin measuring 33 x 23 x 5 1/2cm
 
Preheat the oven to 180c, gas mark 4
 
Line your brownie tin.
 
Melt the butter and chocolate together in a large heavy based pan. In a bowl or large wide-mouthed measuring jug, beat the eggs with the sugar and vanilla. Measure the flour into another bowl and add the salt.
 
When the chocolate mixture has melted, let it cool a bit before beating in the eggs and sugar, and then the nuts and flour. Beat to combine smoothly and then scrape out of the saucepan into the lined pan.
 
Bake for about 25 minutes. When it’s ready, the top should be dried to a paler brown speckle, but the middle still dark and dense & gooey.
 
I like to decorate mine by making a pile of them on a gorgeous cake stand and dusting with edible glitter. For a special occasion I add candles & mini sparklers.
 
Only trouble now is, Cris will not think that I am such an amazing Domestic Goddess when she reads this & realises just how simple they are to make.