Earn some brownie points

Looking to impress your friends and family in the kitchen? Well look no further than these scrumptious chocolate brownies from Christopher O’Sullivan, the Executive Head Chef of the Cork International Hotel.

Ingredients

Brownie

200g quality dark chocolate (70%)

250g unsalted butter

75g frozen raspberries, optional

80g quality cocoa powder

65g plain flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

360g caster sugar

4 large free-range eggs

Chocolate sauce

110g dark chocolate, broken into pieces

110g milk chocolate, broken into pieces

120ml double cream

Melt chocolate in the cream and stir

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 180°C. Line a 24cm square baking tin with greaseproof paper.

Snap the chocolate into a large bowl, add the butter and place over a pan of simmering water, until melted, stirring regularly.

Sift the cocoa powder, baking powder and flour into a separate bowl, and mix.

Beat the eggs until fluffy, add the and sugar while mixing,

Add dry mix and fold in until you have a silky consistency.

Pour the brownie mix into the baking tin, scatter the raspberries (if using them) over the top and gently press till half submerged and place in the oven for around 25 minutes. You don’t want to overcook them so, unlike cakes, you don’t want a skewer to come out clean – the brownies should be slightly springy on the outside but still gooey in the middle.

Allow to cool in the tray, then carefully transfer to a large tray and portion.

Serve with fresh cream and chocolate sauce.