Brownies (Microwaved)

Brownies come in a variety of forms. They are either fudgy or cakey, depending on their density. They may include nuts, icing, cream cheese, chocolate chips, or other ingredients. Brownies are typically accompanied by either milk or coffee. In our house, it doesn't matter whether they are fudgy or cakey, they will be gone in a jiffy. Sometimes we just eat it as is, especially if they just came out of the oven, sometimes, we serve it with whipped cream or sometimes, just dust with icing sugar. One thing is definite, whatever we put on top, it will be eaten, because it's one of our favourites. This recipe is a very simple one and a quick one too. If you need a quick fix of chocolate, this is for you. Enjoy ...

Ingredients:

METRIC/IMPERIAL

75 g/3 oz plain chocolate, broken
100 g/4 oz butter
2 eggs
225 g/8 oz sugar
1 tsp vanilla essence
100 g/4 oz plain flour, sifted
100 g/4 oz mixed nuts, chopped

AMERICAN

3 squares semi-sweet chocolate, broken
½ cup butter
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
1 cup chopped mixed nuts

Directions:

Line a 20 cm/8 inch square box or dish with plastic cling film. I used a rectangular pyrex dish.

Put the chocolate and butter in a bowl and Microwave on high for 1 ½ minutes until the chocolate is melted.

In another bowl, beat the eggs, sugar and vanilla essence (extract) together until thick and creamy. Fold in the flour and chocolate mixture in alternate spoonfuls. Fold in the nuts.

Turn the mixture into the lined box and spread smoothly. Microwave on high for 5 – 6 minutes until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean; give the dish a quarter turn every 1 minute during cooking.

Leave in the box or dish until cold, then turn out and cut into squares.

MAKES 16 TO 20 BROWNIES