Chocolate Hazelnut Brownies

So I'm still playing catch up with blog posts that I should have uploaded during the month of October. Returning to college and still working away like I had done, just really got on top of me for a while there. I'd no time for myself never mind blogging, but, have no fear, a fresh new month has me back and ready for action :)

So a few weeks ago, there was a new addition to the Murphy family - no not a new born baby- but, MY VERY OWN, BRAND NEW KENWOOD KITCHEN MACHINE!!!! I was more excited than a kid on Christmas morning getting my new toy home, so, as soon as it was out of it's box, I had to give it a try! I decided to make some Chocolate Hazelnut Brownies to see what my new best buddy was like in action. It was SO much quicker, easier and less messy (mam was really happy about that part) to use than the ancient 1970s mixer I had been using previously, so, I think it's safe to say that I am actually IN LOVE!!!!! 

For the Brownies, you will need...

3.5 oz Butter (softened)

10 oz Caster Sugar

4 oz Plain Flour (sieved)

1 tsp Baking Powder

4 Eggs (lightly beaten)

Pinch of Salt

6 oz Dark Chocolate (chopped)

2 oz Chopped Hazelnuts

Handful whole Hazelnuts (for decoration)

Method

1) Preheat your oven to 180C/ 350F/ Gas Mark 4 & line an approx. 10x8 inch shallow baking tray with greaseproof paper

2) Melt the butter over a low heat, and, while the butter is melting, weigh up the cocoa and sugar into your mixing bowl

3) When melted, pour the butter into the mixing bowl with the cocoa and sugar and beat 

4) Add in the eggs and as you're doing so, beat at a high speed

5) Add in the flour, baking powder & salt, one spoonful at a time and beat

6) Stir in the chocolate chunks and the chopped hazelnuts

7) Pour the mixture into the shallow baking tray, sprinkle the whole hazelnuts on top and bake for 30 minutes

8) When baked, leave it to cool in its tin for 10 mins and then remove it from the tin and leave to cool fully on a wire rack 

9) When fully cooled, you can slice the brownies into individual slices (they can be as big as you like!!)

Enjoy!!!