Just like my original version, as shown lower down, these brownies are rich, gooey, chocolaty, scrumptious and fudgy (of course). This updated version is definitely true to the original, but a little more decorative.
Makes: 16 medium squares
Time: 60 mins + optional decorating time
Level: Easy
Equipment: A 20cm (8”) square baking tin
Ingredients
- 150g/5½oz dried dates
- 100ml/3½fl oz milk
- 225g/8oz dark chocolate
- 150g/5½oz butter
- 1 tsp instant coffee granules or powder
- 3 eggs
- 125g/4½oz Muscovado or light brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 75g/2½oz plain flour or wholemeal
- Pinch of salt
Topping (optional, but worth the effort)
- 125g/4½oz Dark chocolate, broken up
- 25g/1oz butter
- 1 – 2 tubes of Smarties (Actually 48 smarties)
Method
1. Chop the dates or cut with scissors and place in a shallow bowl. Cover with the milk and heat in microwave. (Probably two or three 30 second blasts will be enough) Stir and set aside. Before using, blend with a stick blender or just use a fork.
2. Line the tin with baking parchment. Turn oven to 180°C / fan 160°C / 350°F / gas 4.
3. Melt the butter and chocolate, either in a bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water, or in the microwave in short blasts, stirring regularly. When melted stir in the coffee granules and take off the heat. Stir in the fruit pulp. Set aside.
4. In another bowl, beat eggs, sugar and vanilla extract until double in volume and light.
5. Fold flour and salt into egg mixture. Add the chocolate and butter and gently fold it all together.
6. Spoon into the prepared tin and gently tap it on the work top to remove any air bubbles.
7. Bake for about 18 – 22 minutes, until risen at edges but still squidgy in the middle.
8. Leave the block in the tin for a few minutes then turn out onto a wire rack to cool fully OR leave in the tin until fully cool and cut into pieces. (I actually let the block cool in the tin then turned it out and cut part way through before brushing on the chocolate and adding Smarties. Once the chocolate had set, I cut through fully.)
9. For the optional topping, melt the chocolate and butter. Allow it to cool a little then pour or brush it over the brownie block or individual pieces if already cut.* Add Smarties.
* If necessary, invert the block or pieces and choose the flatter surface.
Gallery 1
Mashed dates 
No need for an electric mixer 
Baked slab
Gallery 2
Partly cut slab 
Smartie triplets 
Nearly ready
I’ve decided to keep the original recipe and photos, if only to show that the contents and method have hardly changed, but the updated version is a bit better visually.
Ingredients
- 150g/5.5oz dried dates
- 100ml/3.5fl oz milk*
- 225g/8oz dark chocolate
- 150g/5.5oz butter
- 3 eggs
- 125g/4.5oz Muscovado or light brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 75g/2.5oz plain flour
- ¼ tsp salt
* For a slightly alcoholic version you could go for 75ml/2.5fl oz milk with 25ml/1fl oz brandy.
Method
1. Chop the dates or cut with scissors and place in a shallow bowl. Cover with the milk and heat in microwave. (Probably two 20 – 30 second blasts will be enough) Stir and set aside. Before using, blend with a stick blender or just use a fork.
2. Line the tin with baking parchment. Turn oven to 180°C / 160°C fan / 350°F / Gas 4.
3. Melt the butter and chocolate, either in a bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water, or in the microwave in short blasts, stirring regularly. When melted, take off the heat and stir in the blended date pulp. Set aside.
4. In another bowl, beat eggs, sugar and vanilla extract until double in size and light.
5. Fold flour and salt into egg mixture. Add the chocolate and butter and gently fold it all together. (You may need to loosen this mixture with a couple of tablespoons of the egg mixture.)
6. Spoon into prepared tin and level it with a spatula. Gently tap it on the work top to remove any air bubbles.
7. Bake for about 18 – 21 minutes, until risen at edges, but still squidgy in the middle.
8. Allow to cool in the tin, then turn out and cut into pieces, or cut while still in the tin and remove piece by piece.
If you want to add a little extra to these lovely, but quite plain looking, brownies here are a few ideas.
- Simply dust with icing sugar or cocoa powder
- Pipe on zig-zag lines of melted chocolate
- Brush the tops with melted chocolate
- To melted chocolate add sprinkles, nuts or mini marshmallows
I hope you enjoy baking and eating these brownies, whichever version you choose. Click this link for lots more tasty traybake recipes.
Here are some of my personal favourites that I’m sure you’ll love too:
Coffee and Walnut Millionaires Shortbread
If you’d like to make a comment or ask me a question please do, via the contact page, or have a look at the rest of my site for lots of other great sweet and savoury recipes.
Retired Bloke on Food n stuff 