Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies

Yesterday I realised how I have spoilt my boys, when they asked if there was any baked goodies as they arrived home from school, work and were dissapointed to find none. But it's a good spoilt, because you cannot ask for anything better than home-made and watching your family enjoy your bakes. So this morning although I was feeling tired from lack of sleep I decided to bake my spoilt boys some Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies which were quick and easy. These are really great, having baked them before I know they will go down very well and my lack of baking this week will be forgotten when the first bite is taken from these gorgeous moist brownies ;o)

Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies

Makes 16

Ingredients

140g/5oz plain chocolate, chopped into small pieces

115g/4oz butter

225g/8oz caster sugar

170g/6oz plain flour

½ teaspoon baking powder

170g/6oz crunchy peanut butter

3 eggs, beaten

Heat the oven to 170C/325F/gas mark 3. Line a 20cm/8in square cake tin with baking parchment. Melt the chocolate, butter and sugar together over a low heat to combine. Do not allow to get too hot. Sift the flour and baking powder together into a large bowl. Mix the peanut butter into the chocolate mixture. Make a well in the centre of the flour. Incorporate the eggs and the chocolate mixture, using a whisk to beat out any floury lumps. Put into the prepared tin and spread flat. Bake for 20 minutes. The brownies are ready when they crust has set on the top but if you push a sharp knife into the centre there is still a little wet mixture left on it. Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the tin before cutting into squares.

Note: These brownies are better undercooked. If cooked for too long, they become very dry.