Thanks for all the lovely comments on The Cosy Christmas Teashop. I wanted to share the recipe for Ellie's mint-choc brownies (as featured in the book) as they are especially scrummy this time of year with a warming hot chocolate or cuppa.
(Makes 12-16)
170g dark chocolate170g butter
200g caster sugar
120g light brown sugar
3 eggs
85g plain flour, sifted
55g high quality cocoa powder, sifted
Approx. 12 thin after dinner mints, depending on size. (After Eights are ideal)
Preheat oven to 180C/Gas mark 4. Line a 20x30cm baking time with baking parchment.
Gently melt the chocolate and butter in a pan on a low heat. Set aside to cool.
Whisk the sugars and eggs together, beat vigorously until the mixture is thick, glossy and about three times its volume. Add the butter mix until smooth. Fold in the flour and cocoa powder. Be careful not to overmix.
Spoon half your mixture into the pan, making sure it spreads to the corners. Lay out your after dinner mints on top of the mixture in neat rows. Add the remaining mixture on top, spreading it so the mints are totally covered.
Pop in oven for about 30-35 minutes until the top is firm and just starting to crack - that’s when they’re ready to take out. Test with a skewer to see if comes out almost clean – a couple of times, in case you’ve hit an after dinner mint!
Leave to go cold before cutting into squares, as these are a very gooey brownie. Sorry, you’ll just have to wait! Enjoy!
Best wishes and happy baking!
Caroline x
Dear Caroline,
ReplyDeleteI read your novel "The Cosy Teashop in the Castle" last summer and was so keen on it that I gave it to my mom who also read it within our summer vecation. As we stayed in England (we are from Germany) we saw the scenery that is described in the story ourselves, which was a really great thing. Back home I surprised my family with the Choffee cake as I actually don't like baking that much. But after reading so much about it I just had to try. I also read "The Cosy Christmas Teashop" which saved my evenings after some exhausting days at school. I was just missing the receipe for the Chocolate-mint-brownies. So thank you very much for it (also from my family as they know what they will get on Sunday afternoon...)
Kind regards, Rebecca
So lovely to hear from you, Rebecca! I have been away so sorry for slow reply. Great to hear how you have enjoyed my Teashop books and the recipes. They are fairly easy to make, so I hope you enjoyed the baking and eating them!
DeleteBest wishes,
Caroline x
Hi Caroline,
ReplyDeleteI have just finished reading "The Cosy Tea Shop in the Castle!" It was fantastic! I was given it by my daughter(who's name is Ellie too) for Christmas. I loved reading every page. I wish I was Ellie, it was such a great story I couldn't put it down. I was even crying at one point. I cant wait to start reading The Cosy Christmas Tea shop now. I hope I don't have to wait too long for the next one to be written and published?
Kind regards
Sharon x
Thank you, Sharon - it's lovely to hear how much you enjoyed The Cosy Teashop. I have a new book coming out at the end of April '17 titled "My Summer of Magic Moments" - a poignant love story set on beautiful Bamburgh beach. And in the Autumn I will have another "Cosy" book published.
DeleteAll best wishes,
Caroline x