Hot Desserts Recipes - Brownies Recipe

Ingredients

• 50g/2oz unsweetened pitted dates (chopped)

• 50g/2oz dried prunes (chopped)

• 100ml/3 1/2fl oz unsweetened apple juice

• 4 eggs (beaten)

• 300g/11 oz dark muscovado sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence

• 4 tablespoons drinking chocolate powder

• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder

• 175g/6oz plain flour

• 50g/2oz dark chocolate chips

Serves 4-6

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Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas mark 4. Grease and line an 18 x 28cm/7 x 11in cake tin with baking parchment.

2. Place the dates and prunes in a small saucepan and add the apple juice. Bring to the boil, cover and simmer for 10 minutes until soft. Beat to form a smooth paste, then set aside to cool.

3. Place the cooled fruit in a mixing bowl and stir in the eggs, sugar and vanilla essence. Sift in the drinking chocolate powder, cocoa and flour, and fold in along with the chocolate chips.

4. Spoon the mixture into the preheated tin and smooth over the top. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until firm to the touch.

5. Cut into 12 bars and allow to cool slightly before serving.