Chocolate Brownies

Ingredients

1/2 cup

butter, room temperature

(113gm)

1/2 cup

sugar

(100gm) (I then reduced about 3 tbsp. from it coz knew I was going to serve this with ice cream and didn't want the sweetness to go overboard)

2

eggs

1/2 cup

all-purpose flour

1/3 cup

unsweetened cocoa powder

(40gm)

4 tbsp.

warm milk

pinch of salt

1/4 tsp.

baking powder

1 tsp.

vanilla essence

Instructions 

Heat the butter in a big bowl until melted. Whilst still SLIGHTLY warm, add the sugar and using an electric mixer, beat together thoroughly (about 5-10 minutes). Then sieve the cocoa powder into this butter/sugar mixture and again, beat until creamy. Add the vanilla and beat it some more. Now add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition to make sure it's well incorporated.

Remove the electric beater and slowly sieve the flour, baking powder and salt into the bowl a little at a time, mixing with a spatula or wooden spoon. Alternate with adding the warm milk as well and stir. Once everything is JUST incorporated (DO NOT OVER-MIX), pour the brownie batter into a greased 8x8 inch pan. (You can sprinkle some chocolate chips or nuts on top or stir them into the batter if you like, I left mine plain and simple)

Bake in a pre-heated oven at 170C for 25-30 mins. Do not over-bake, a toothpick stuck into the brownies should come out slightly moist, not completely dry. So best to start checking on them at about 20 mins and then give them extra time if need be. Serve warm or cooled, with a cup of tea or coffee or as a yummy dessert served with a big fat dollop of vanilla ice-cream and some brownie crumbs for a cute look.