Chocolate & Pear Brownies

Pears and dark chocolate are a classic match: here they meet in a gooey brownie.

Chocolate & Pear Brownies

Makes 16 pieces

Ingredients:

Unsalted butter 200g (7oz), cut into cubes

Dark chocolate (70%) 200g (7oz), broken into chunks

Eggs 3

Golden caster sugar 275g (10oz)

Plain flour 100g (3½oz)

Cocoa powder 2 tbsp

Pears 2, chopped into 2cm (¾in) cubes

What to do:

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°fan/Gas 4. Grease a 20 x 30cm (8 x 12in) baking tin and fully line with non-stick baking paper.
2. Put the butter and chocolate into a bowl then set over a pan of gently simmering water, stirring occasionally, until completely melted. Remove from the heat.
3. In a large bowl, using a hand-held electric mixer, whisk the eggs and sugar together for 4–5 minutes until pale and doubled in volume. Carefully but thoroughly fold the melted chocolate through the egg mixture. Sift over the flour and cocoa powder and fold through the mixture.
4. Pour the mixture into the prepared tin and level with a spatula. Scatter the chopped pears evenly over the top. Bake for 20–25 minutes until the top is papery and shiny and the sides are just coming away from the edge of the tin.
5. Leave to cool completely in the tin then cut into pieces.

Recipe from Dairy Diary Four Seasons cookbook