Brownies are always a firm favourite with me, but why stop there? A thick layer of delicious Nutella and a sweet & crunchy hazelnut praline topping.... YES PLEASE!
INGREDIENTS
FOR THE BROWNIES:
1 tbsp Cocoa Powder
200g 70% Dark Chocolate
150g Salted Butter
260g Caster Sugar
110g Soft Dark Brown Sugar
7g Baking Powder
240g Plain Flour
3 Large Free Range Eggs
Handful of milk, white or dark chocolate chips (optional)
TOPPING:
1 small tub of Nutella
100g Hazelnuts
50g Caster Sugar
METHOD:
- Grease or line a 20cm square tin
- In a saucepan on a low heat melt together your butter and chocolate, take care not to burn
- Add your sugars and heat until it has dissolved, take off the heat once all combined (don't over heat or this will end up a thick fudge like mixture)
- Leave the mixture to cool slightly and then add add your eggs one at a time, stir to combine
- Sieve in your flour, cocoa powder and baking powder to the bowl and stir until fully combined, make sure there are no lumps of flour
- If using, add your handful of chocolate chips and stir until all combined
- Add your mixture to your greased tin, spread evenly
- Bake at 180 degrees for around 12-15 minutes until a light crust has formed (you want them still gooey!)
- Leave the brownies until fully cooled (this is the hardest part!)
- While the brownies are cooling, make your hazelnut praline. Add your hazelnuts to a frying pan on a low heat, stir/shake every now and then to ensure they don't burn
- Once the hazelnuts are gently toasted, sprinkle your caster sugar over the hazelnuts. It will be very tempting to stir this, but don't! Leave the sugar to begin to melt
- Once the sugar is melted and has begun to caramalise around the hazelnuts, remove the mixture from the pan and place in a pan with grease-proof paper to cool and harden
- Once cool, place in your food processor (or break up with a rolling pin!) and blitz until you get your desired texture
- Once your brownies are cooled, top your brownies with the Nutella, use a pallet knife to evenly spread, then evenly sprinkle over your hazelnut praline
- As always, cut yourself a nice big slice and enjoy!!
If any of you make this recipe please don't forget to share with #bakingwithalana, I love seeing your pictures!
