Chocolate, brandy and sultana brownies! Life sure does get a little sweeter with these gracing my presence!

Let me get you acquainted! What I can tell you about this batch of chocolate, brandy and sultana brownies is that they are incredibly fudgy, moist, dark, chocolatey and insanely DELICIOUS! The brandy and sultana add a flavor bomb that brings these brownies to next level! Then you pour over a chocolate ganache frosting and then you know you’re in utopia!!

I LOVE these brownies for so many reasons, and obviously because depth of chocolate that brandy lends itself to is just simply gorgeous!

I can assure you there’s nothing to worry about. The brandy does have a pronounced flavor, but it doesn’t overpower the brownies. One of the reasons is because there are copious amounts of chocolate to pair with it. Also, by only adding ½ cup brandy into the brownie mixture it will give the brownie a rich yet balanced flavor. Believe me you’re going to love them!

These fudgy brownies have a higher fat to flour ratio making them less inclined to be cakey. When testing my brownies, I added more chocolate and butter to the recipe, to achieve this result. 

Now I want to tell you all about the reasons I love Chocolate, Brandy and Sultana Brownies!

This recipe is super easy, everything gets thrown into one big bowl……that’s it! Another reason is they are super versatile. Turn them into a dessert, or take them to a potluck dinner, you’ll be praised for bringing such a decadent dessert!

Now I would like to give you some baking tips, which will build you’re confidence to give them a go.

BAKING TIPS FOR THIS RECIPE

Over-mixing

Don’t over mix the brownie batter – overmixing aerates the brownies with air resulting in a cakey brownie. No one wants a cakey brownie. Once you see the ingredients are incorporated try to resist the urge to keep stirring, and as quick as you can get them into the baking tin.

Over-baking

This one is a bit tricky because how do you know when your brownies are ready to come out of the oven. The usual way of testing with a pick of some sort doesn’t reflect accuracy. So here’s a rule of thumb that I use. Remove your brownies from the oven 3-5 minutes before the suggested baking time, pop them up on the bench as they will cook a little longer in the baking tin. This will yield a beautiful result and the chocolate, brandy and sultana brownies will have a super fudgey texture rather than an over baked, dry brownie.

Cooling

Allow your brownies to come down to room temperate before cutting them. This will give your brownies time to settle and stabilize all those decadent ingredients together. However, I completely understand if you can’t wait!! Just know that they will be like pudding in texture and if you can wait, it will be worth it!

Storing 

Store the brownies in an airtight container in the fridge. They will keep for 7-10 days, that’s if they aren’t eaten first! If you prefer them at room temperature remove them from the fridge 15 minutes before required.

Freezing

You can freeze the brownies but they must be without the ganache frosting. Store them in an airtight container in the freezer. When ready to eat bring them to room temperature and then cover them with the ganache frosting.

HOW TO MAKE THESE BROWNIES

1. You will need to soak the sultanas in the brandy overnight. The brandy will infuse itself into the sultanas and make them flavorsome and plumb. The brandy I used St Remy VSOP. I’ve used this brandy in my baking for years and have found it super reliable.

2. Melt the chocolate and butter in the microwave at 30 second intervals. It took me 1 minute to melt the chocolate and butter together. I then used a small whisk to gently blend the mixture into a cohesive rich chocolate sauce. Then set this aside to cool slightly.

3. Then you will need to beat the eggs, brown sugar and vanilla until light and frothy. I used a simple handheld beater to get the job done quick smart.

4. Once the egg, sugar and vanilla mixture is light and frothy, pour in your chocolate and butter sauce and add the sifted flour and cocoa. Please gently fold through these ingredients through the brownie mixture until just incorporated remembering that over-mixing results in a not so good brownie.

5. Then lastly add the brandy and sultanas and just gently fold through the brownie mixture until just incorporated.

6. Then pour into a greased and lined 20cm square cake tin and pop into the oven.

7. It can be hard to tell if your brownies are ready to come out of the oven, so I look to take mine out approx. 5 minutes before the recommended bake time and left them in the tin. They will cook a little more in the hot tin bringing them to a perfectly dense and creamy brownie.

8. To make the ganache I used Whittakers dark chocolate 62%. This will give your ganache a dark, rich and a full chocolate experience. Simply melt your chocolate and cream in the microwave in 30 second intervals until the chocolate has melted. Then add in the brandy if you are using and incorporate. Once the brownie has cooled spread the ganache over with a palette knife and pop in the fridge for setting.

WHAT TO DO WITH BROWNIES

To finish up today, I’d like to share a few ideas to encourage you to start baking and enjoying! You can do so many create things with your brownies, here are few fun things from me!

• Take them along to a picnic, beach BBQ or a potluck dinner to share with family and friends.

• Transform them into a rich decadent dessert by adding your favorite ice cream and a hot fudge sauce or pour over a warm vanilla custard.

• Gift them to a friend or family member (keep in mind the alcohol content might not be suitable for kids)

• Take them to work for your colleagues to share at morning tea….wow what a treat for them, you’ll certainly be the favoured one!

• Or keep them for yourself! Hahahahahahahaha! Cut up a few pieces to have with your freshly brewed coffee.

• Have them as a naughty treat whilst watching a movie or reading a good book.

That’s it my friends! Go and be merry and enjoy the simple things in life!

My book Laying Gods Table has many more delectable recipes for you to enjoy! Please click on link to get yourself a copy.

For ideas and tips on how to practice hospitality please read my blog post  5 tips for practicing Christian Hospitality. It will give you ways on how you too can demonstrate God’s love in action. 

One more note from me, if you’ve baked this chocolate, brandy and sultana brownie, please leave me a comment below and if you can give me a recipe rating too! I would absolutely love to hear from you!