These chocolate brownies double as party treats for kids, as well as delicious rum and macadamia delights for mum and dad!

Ingredients

250g good quality dark chocolate, roughly chopped
250g unsalted butter, cubed
8 whole eggs
3 cups superfine caster sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla essence
2 tablespoons good quality cocoa powder, sifted
2 cups plain flour, sifted
handful of Smarties or M&Ms
handful chopped marshmallows
200g macadamia nuts
splash of rum (adults only)

Method

1. Pre-heat the oven to 160°C. Grease two baking tins (use large lamington tins or large jelly roll pans) and line the base with baking paper.
2. Melt the chocolate and the butter in a heat-proof bowl set over a saucepan of hot water, stirring occasionally until smooth. Allow the chocolate to cool.
3. In an electric mixer, beat the eggs, sugar and vanilla for 3-4 minutes or until pale and fluffy. Beat in the cooled chocolate mixture, add the flour and cocoa powder and beat until smooth.
4. Divide half the mixture into another bowl and, for the children, toss in a handful of Smarties and marshmallows and stir them in. In the adults' mixture, add a splash of dark rum and the macadamia nuts. Now pour the mixtures into the baking trays.
5. Bake for 30 minutes until dark brown and the top has formed a crust. Remove from the oven, allow to cool and cut into squares. Dust with icing sugar and serve.

Copyright CTC Productions 2004