Chocolate Orange Brownies
For my whole life, the humble chocolate orange has been very special to me. It was one of the first ‘presents’ I bought for my father with my own money when I was young, and from then it continued to be a treat that reminded me both of my father, and also Christmas.
I’ve been in a brownie making phase recently so, of course it was inevitable I would soon be making a chocolate orange version. This recipe rather indulgently uses the whole orange, some eggs and also the segments but the eggs are optional and they would be just as good without them - the segments are essentially massive orange chocolate chips so spreading them throughout is perfect.
These are great as a tasty treat, or warmed up as a dessert with some ice-cream. Just try only eating one, it’s hard!
INGREDIENTS
3 Large eggs
250g Golden caster sugar
100g Dark Chocolate
100g Milk Chocolate
Zest of 1 orange
180g Butter
A pinch of salt
100g Plain flour
35g Cocoa powder
1 Chocolate orange
125g Mini segments
80g Orange mini eggs (optional)
METHOD
Preheat the oven to 180 or 160fan and line an 8-inch square baking tray with baking parchment.
Melt the butter, dark chocolate and a quarter of the chocolate orange in a bowl over some gently boiling water until fully melted and glossy. You can do this in the microwave, but I think it’s better to do it on the stove where you can keep a keen eye on it. Once it has fully melted, add the salt and orange zest leave it to cool slightly.
In a stand mixer or a large bowl with an electric whisk, whisk together the eggs and sugar until it’s thick, pale, fluffy and doubled in volume. This will take up to five minutes on a medium setting.
Once the chocolate and butter have cooled a bit (if it’s hot you risk scrambling the eggs!) pour it into the sugar and eggs.
Sift the cocoa powder and flour into the bowl and gently fold it all together until combined. Always sift cocoa powder as it’s prone to getting lumps.
Pour half of the batter into the lined tray and then evenly scatter over the eggs, if using. Cover with the remaining brownie batter and then press in the segments evenly throughout. If you are only using the segments, put all of them in the middle layer.
Put the tray in the oven and cook for 25 minutes, then remove from the oven and place the orange segments on top. Return to the oven for another 8 minutes.
Once cooked, remove the brownies from the oven and leave to cool in the tray before cutting into squares.
If you like these, then why not try some of my other brownie recipes here.
