Hazelnut brownies (adapted form a Nigella Lawson recipe)

[kellinsicily]

Hazelnut brownies

8 slices

190g of butter
190g best quality dark chocolate
3 large eggs
1 tablespoon of vanilla extract
250g sugar
125g plain flour
1/2 teaspoon of salt
150g hazelnuts

Preheat oven to 180º C. Add hazelnuts to the bimby and mix for 30 secs/ speed 5. Remove and put aside. Add chocolate and mix for 20 secs / speed 5. Add butter and mix with chocolate for 3 mins / 50ºC /speed 2. Allow to cool and in the meantime, line a brownie pan with greaseproof paper or aluminium. Add eggs, sugar, vanilla and beat for 4 mins / speed 4. Add flour, salt, hazelnuts and mix for 4 mins / speed 5. Bake for 20 - 25 mins. When its ready the top should be dried to a paler brown speckle, but the middle still dense and gooey. Pay attention to not overbake as they shall dry out, but remember that they will continue to cook as they cool.

ICING

65g dark chocolate
40 g unsalted butter
1 large egg
250 g icing sugar
1/2 teasoon of vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon of dark rum

Grind chocolate for 15 secs / speed 5. Add butter and mix for 3 mins / 50º C / 3 mins. Add the egg and mix for 2 mins / speed 6. Add icing sugar and rum and mix for 3mins / speed 6- Allow both brownies and icing to cool before adding.

You can also replace the hazelnuts with walnuts, peanuts or even better....dried cherries. Add shredded coconut or white chocolate tips for something more decadent.

[brazen20au]

ooohhh these sound good!

[cathy79]

Yummm!  These would be good in the Christmas Hamper goodies thread.  Everybody (nearly) loves chocolate.

[Thermomixer]

Nice work Kelly -tante grazie 

[kellinsicily]

PREGO! You can also replace the hazelnuts with walnuts, peanuts or even better....dried cherries. Add shredded coconut or white chocolate tips for someting more decadent

[Thermomixer]

...... or even better....dried cherries. Add shredded coconut or white chocolate tips for someting more decadent

We like your thinking 

[Amanda]

Thanks for this, brownies are very popular in this house!!

[trudy]

These cound great!!!!

Thanks

Trudy

[faffa_70]

oh my *sigh*  is that for the thighs or the hips or just licking my lips...these sound soooo good. I really need to do something about my sweet tooth 

[Thermomixer]

Straight to my big bum I think 

[kellinsicily]

Tomorrow I am going to a friends house for La Vendemmia (the annual picking of the grapes) and made a plain chocolate sponge cake untillizing the icing from this recipe to take as my offering. I cut the cake horizontally in the middle, iced the top, sides and middle and dressed the sides with shredded hazelnuts.... I hope it is successful! But am guessing after all the wine we shall be sampling anything will be delicious!

[trudy]

sounds like you will be having a great day.  Hope everyone enjoys your cake.

Cheers
Trudy

[Thermomixer]

What wines do they make there ?  Which varieties of grape are they growing?  Sweet sticky numbers or big red brutes?

[judydawn]

That sounds like fun Kelly - think I could live in Italy quite easily

[kellinsicily]

Fabulous day! The grapes I believe were Nero D'avola, but dont quote me on that! They will be pressed tomorrow and the new wine tasted on the 11th of November for St Martin's day. Cant wait! We are almost ready now to pick the olives. Fresh wine, organic extra virgin olive oil all from Etna's rich soils...