Riddle me this: If a person is said to be on a sugar high or in a sugar coma from drinking a can of full fat coke*, how would you describe a person who spends 24 subsisting on raw cake batter and frosting? I'm ... err ... asking for a friend.
A friend of mine who clearly has appalling nutrition habits!
In
I just watched "Fracture" with Anthony Hopkins and Ryan Gosling. Why is Anthony Hopkins so good at playing creepy, genius but devious killers? Is it because we've all seen him in "Silence of the Lambs" so we subconsciously think back to that character when he does anything similar? Or was he cast in "Silence of the Lambs" because he's so good at playing those roles. Hmmm - that's a regular chicken or the egg question right there.
Oh and have I told you guys how much I love Ryan Gosling?! I LOVE Ryan Gosling! Partly because he was Noah in "The Notebook" which was my favourite film of all time and partly just because he's amazing!
Umm yeah, so on to these bars. While I reduced the sugar in the brownies, they are still pretty sweet but also full of flavour and texture - the fudgy brownie layer, the crunchy cookies, the peanut butter infused chocolate covering mmmmmm. Definitely one for the chocolate lovers amongst you. They're also pretty simple to make so why don't you give them a try this bank holiday weekend for a sweet end to your BBQ (weather permitting).
* Why is regular coke often referred to as full fat coke when it is the amount of sugar that has increased from the diet coke versions rather than the fat?
This recipe has been adapted (only slightly) from the wonderful How Sweet It Is - another regular superwoman who seems to bake, cook AND blog something new every day! Don't know how she does it!
Ingredients
113g butter, at room temperature
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsps vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups plain flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 cups milk chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
20 Oreo cookies
- Butter and flour an 8" x 8" cake tin or brownie pan
- Using an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then add vanilla
- Add in cocoa powder and mix until combined. Add flour and salt, mixing well until batter is smooth and comes together. Fold in 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- Spread mixture into the pan. Sink 9 Oreo cookies into the batter and press gently. Bake for 25 - 30 minutes
- While baking, crush the remaining Oreos in a zip lock bag.
When brownies are finished baking, remove from the oven and sprinkle with 1/2 cup chocolate chips and crushed Oreos. Place back in the oven for about 2 - 3 minutes
- In this time, melt remaining chocolate chips and peanut butter together in the microwave checking and stirring every 20 seconds. Remove brownies from the oven and pour melted chocolate mixture on top, spreading with a spatula.Make sure chocolate gets down into the Oreo crevices, as it is the "glue" that holds the top to the bottom
- Refrigerate for 2 hours. Let brownies sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before cutting. Don't worry if some of the cookies spill out from the middle or the top cracks - they are still delicious
Note: I made 1 1/2 times the recipe which is why I've got more Oreos in my baking tray :)
