Spiced brownies recipe

Looking for an easy lunchbox treat? These brownies are a great option. Photo / Fresh Media

Brownies are always a good option for a lunchbox treat – they’re easy to make, travel well, and aren’t too messy to eat.

Adding a little malt vinegar to this spiced brownie adds a subtle tang and enhances the chocolate flavour. Don’t worry – your brownie won’t taste like vinegar!

Spiced brownies

Makes: 16 squares or 20 small fingers

Ingredients

175g unsalted butter

1 ½ Tbsp vegetable oil

¾ cup white sugar

1 cup loosely packed brown sugar

2 Tbsp malt vinegar

3 large eggs

1 Tbsp vanilla essence

½ tsp salt

¾ cup flour

¾ cup cocoa

2 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp ground ginger

¼ tsp ground cloves

¾ cup of chocolate chips + extra for topping

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180C and grease a 20cm square cake tin. Line the bottom of the tin with a piece of baking paper.
2. Melt the butter, add the vegetable oil and both lots of sugar, and beat well.
3. Add the malt vinegar and continue beating the mixture until pale and creamy. Beat in the vanilla, salt and eggs.
4. Sift the flour with the cocoa powder and spices. Fold into the batter with the chocolate chips until fully combined. Don’t over-mix at this point.
5. Turn the batter into the prepared pan and sprinkle it with extra chocolate chips.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the centre is firm. A skewer will still come out quite sticky because this is a very fudgy brownie.
7. Once the brownie is cooked, let it cool for about 20 minutes before cutting. Cut into small pieces – it is very rich!

– fresh.co.nz