Chocolate Hazelnut Brownie

Directions

• Set the oven to 180°C/160° Fan Assisted/ Gas Mark4
• Place the hazelnuts on a baking tray and place in the middle of oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the skins are blistered.
• Remove from the oven and wrap them in a kitchen towel and let rest for 1 minute.
• Rub the nuts in the towel to remove loose skins (don’t worry about stubborn skins that don’t come off) and cool completely.
• Discard the skins and wrap them back in the towel, using a rolling pin give the hazelnuts a bit of a bash and then by rolling to a reduce to a rough texture. Do not be too aggressive as you really want the nuts to be quite chunky.
• Set aside.
• Prepare a baking tray lined with baking parchment and a 9″ (23cm) square cake frame (if you are going to use a cake TIN then line the tine with baking parchment)
• Place the dark chocolate in a bowl and heat over a pan of simmering water, (Don’t let the bottom of the bowl come in contact with the hot water.) and stir with a wooden spoon or plastic spatula until the chocolate has completely melted.
• Add the cubed butter and combine carefully, until the butter is incorporated and the preparation is smooth.
• Separate the egg yolks from the egg whites
• Place the egg yolks and 10 grams of the sugar into the stand mixer
• Beat egg yolks and sugar vigorously until creamy, foamy, and pale.
• Using a separate spotlessly clean bowl whisk the egg whites and remaining 10 grams of sugar to a stiff meringue.
• Pour the melted chocolate and butter over the whisked egg yolks and combine carefully until incorporated.
• Next, add the meringue to the chocolate preparation and again, combine gently until incorporated.
• Sift the flour into the mixture with ⅓ of the crushed hazelnuts and gently fold in making sure you reach the bottom of the bowl.
• When all the mixture is combined and no flour showing, pour the brownie mixture into the frame and spread out with the plastic scraper to get an even thickness.
• Smooth the top and sprinkle the remainder of the Hazelnuts all over.
• Place in the pre-heated oven for approx 20 and 25 minutes.
• They are ready when they are firm to the touch but still have a slight wobble.
• When the brownie is cooked, remove from the oven and leave to cool at room temperature.
• Resist the temptation to try one straight from the oven, (A scolded inside of mouth comes to mind)
• Remove the frame and cut into squares.
• Enjoy!