Obviously Easter ensures plenty of chocolate and therefor I have decided to share with you my favorite gift idea for the upcoming Easter holidays; a ready-to-use brownie box with all the ingredients of a sticky brownie mix. And again, obviously, the secret ingredient is always chocolate. This is a great idea to bless and spoil one of your friends or family members. It includes a delicious chocolate surprise and an easy baking experience that anyone can enjoy over the Easter weekend. Also don’t be shy, it is your Easter weekend as well, so bake a batch yourself.

P.S – MAY EASTER REMIND US OF WHAT TRUE LOVE REALLY IS

Easy Easter Gift

Dry-ingredient, ready-to-use brownie box

These days you can buy a similar gift if you want to, but making a ready-to-use box yourself will be so much more sincere and real. Plus you can add things to the box that the specific friend will prefer and enjoy most. Be creative; add wine, coffee, preferred nuts and your friend’s most favorite chocolate.  I am sure that the receiver of the gift will appreciate it even more if you have made the box yourself. It is really easy, convenient, clever and quick.

HOW TO MAKE A READY-TO-USE BROWNIE BOX;

  • You can use collectable containers (like old mayo jars) or go to Plastic World or Crazy Store to buy rustic or vintage containers or jars in bulk.
  • Just a free tip – this is not an expensive gift and rather a thoughtful gift, so if you buy the ingredients in bulk you will save and spoil more than one friend.
  • Measure the dry ingredients and place them in chosen containers. In this case I have chosen a variety of containers that was also an add-on to the gift.
  • Find the best chewy brownie recipe below; I placed the flour, sugar and nuts in separate containers and I chose a chocolate for the specific friend. Double check on the grams of the chocolate; previously I’ve chopped the chocolate in advance and also placed it in a container (be careful if you do it like this as chocolate melts easily).
  • You can buy any chocolate, but again; the better the chocolate the better the end result will be. I will always suggest a very dark chocolate.
  • If you want to you can add a bottle of wine to your box to assure a special experience for your friend or family member. A good bottle of red wine, either a blend or a Shiraz will pair stunningly with this specific brownie mix.
  • This brownie mix will also pair stunningly with a good cup of coffee, so put in a bag of coffee beans or a few cappuccino sachets if your friend does not drink wine.
  • Remember to add a print-out of the recipe and to place it into the box as well. Tell your friends that they only need to add butter and eggs when making these brownies.
  • Place everything in a reusable box and bless your friend with both a chocolate indulgence and an effortless experience.

Chewy Chocolate Brownies

Recipe adapted from Ile de Pain – Knysna

A while back I really struggled when I baked brownies. I never managed to make brownies that are really chewy and perfectly gooey. Most recipes turned out to produce overly dry and boring brownies. “Not like those in the shops”; I would always tell myself. Until I tried Ile de Pain’s recipe… By the way if you are in Knysna you should definitely try out Ile de Pain; without a doubt my favorite breakfast and baking spot in Knysna (bookings are essential). Nevertheless, my ‘baking brownies world’ changed forever and now this recipe will always be my go-to recipe if I want to make chewy brownies. If you stick to these steps I can guarantee that these brownies will be a pleasure for anyone who loves chocolate.

Ingredients

  • 180 g butter, melted
  • 160 g chocolate. 72% chopped (the lindt dark chili chocolate also works uniquely)
  • 350 g brown sugar
  • Pinch of salt
  • 4 jumbo eggs, room temperature
  • 130 g cake flower
  • 70 – 100 g of nuts (any type you like)
  • ½ tsp baking powder

Crucial Steps

  • Line the mold (20 x 20 cm) with baking paper – I would really suggest that you do not exclude the baking paper as the end result can be very sticky
  • Pre-heat oven – 150C
  • Place the chopped chocolate in a mixing bowl
  • Bring butter to a boil and pour over chocolate – this is by far the best way to melt chocolate and to ensure that it does not burn
  • Once all the chocolate is melted you can stir in the sugar and salt – you can use white sugar, I tend to find that brown sugar produces really sticky brownies
  • Add the eggs one by one – there is some science behind it so remember; one by one and stirring well after each one.
  • Sift flour and baking powder and fold it into the mixture
  • Spoon the batter into the mold and sprinkle it with the chosen nuts
  • Bake at 150C for 40-45 minutes
  • Allow to cool thoroughly before removing it from the mold – cut into desired size brownies