How to make brandy brownies

Imagine a sinfully rich brownie, crispy on the outside, rich and chocolatey on the inside with that touch of orange brandy that makes it superb.

You don't have to go to a 5-star restaurant for that when you can make that brownie in your kitchen.

Here's how to make delicious brownies part 1

You need 3 ounces plain flour
2 ounces cocoa powder
90 g butter
8 ounces castor sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
half teaspoon salt
2 eggs
2 ounce raisins
4 ounces macadamia nuts
1-2 tablespoons brandy

1. Sift the flour and cocoa
2. Mix the butter, castor sugar, vanilla, salt and eggs with the flour and cocoa
3. Stir in the raisins and nuts

Ok, so I uploaded part 2 of the video to the wrong youtube channel. It landed up on my son's channel, together with his bionicle and penguin videos. Duh.

That's what happens when mother and son are net enthusiasts who share the same computer.



1. Pour the mixture into a greased lined baking pan
2. Bake at 175 degrees celsius for 30 minutes
3. Remove from heat, remove the paper.
4. Pour 1-2 tablespoons brandy over the brownie.

Serve hot, or let it cool and serve at your convenience.

How To Make Fig and Walnut Chocolates

I absolutely love chocolates. Especially the sinfully rich, dark chocolates Maybe that's why I have a tendency to get fat.

On the other hand, dark chocolate is a rich source of antioxidants. In fact, chocolate is richer in the phenolic compound gallic acid and the flavonoid epicatechin than red wine or green tea.

Dark chocolates are great as an occasional treat. I love gourmet chocolates, but they are pretty expensive. So I make my own.

Here's my favourite recipe. It's full of fiber with dried figs and walnuts. Almost a health food, if not for the fat content.

You need

• baking chocolate


• honey


• vanilla extract


• cointeau or orange brandy


• shelled walnuts


• dried figs

Ready? This video might make you a little seasick. I shot the first part of it with my handphone in one hand, and making the chocs with the other. The latter part is much better because my son took over the filming. :D

1. Break the chocolate into small squares and put it in a microwavable glass jar or container


2. Melt the chocolate for 1 minute in the microwave oven, set at high


3. Stir the chocolate and add in 2 tablespoons of honey, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and 1 tablespoon of brandy


4. Taste the chocolate to see if you like it. Add more honey if you want it sweeter.


5. Chop the dried figs into small pieces.


6. Stir in walnuts and figs


7. Cut baking paper into square sweet wrappers


8. Scoop the chocolate fruit and nut mix and wrap them in baking paper


9. Leave the chocolates to set. They'll harden as they cool down.

That's it. You've got your own high fiber (dare I say healthy?) home made chocolates.