Gluten and Dairy free Brownies

These devilishly dark brownies are simply perfect when catering for those with allergies or intolerances. Indulgent and gooey, these brownies are entirely scrumptious and moreish. Requiring only the smallest amount of gluten free-flour, these treats are fudgy and moist in texture with the thinnest layer of crunchy chocolate on top.

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Ingredients

185g dairy free spread (I use Vitalite Dairy Free Spread)

185g 70% dark chocolate

80g of a gluten free flour mix

45g cocoa powder

100g dark chocolate chips

3 large eggs

275g caster sugar

Method  

1. Break the dark chocolate into small pieces placing it into a medium microwave safe bowl with the dairy free spread. Put this bowl into the microwave for 30 second intervals. Make sure to stir the ingredients between each interval to prevent the mixture from burning as it melts together. Once the chocolate and spread have melted place to one side to cool.
2. While you wait for the chocolate to cool, preheat your oven to 180C/ 160C fan/ gas 4 and prepare a 20cm square tin by lining it with non-stick baking parchment.
3. Crack three large eggs into a large bowl.  Then add the caster sugar. With an electric mixer on maximum speed, whisk the eggs and sugar. Mix until the mixture becomes thick and creamy. This process can take up to 8 minutes, depending on how powerful your mixer is. You will know the egg and sugar mixture is ready when the mixture becomes pale and doubles in size.
4. Pour the cooled chocolate mixture into the whipped eggs and sugar. Next gently fold the two mixtures together with a metal spoon. Cut into the mixture with your spoon, bringing the mixture that is underneath to the surface. Fold the mixture using a figure of eight movement.  Be careful to move the bowl round each time you fold and do so until the two mixtures are one in colour.
5. Sieve your gluten-free flour and coco powder over the bowl of eggy chocolate mixture and fold until the mixture is uniform in colour and no flour is left unincorporated.
6. Fold the dark chocolate chips into the mixture.  
7. Pour the brownie mixture in to your prepared tin and place in the oven for 40 minutes.
8. Once your brownies are out of the oven leave to cool completely before cutting.     

Note that some dark chocolate does contain traces of gluten
and some gluten free flour contains milk powder so be careful to ensure that all your ingredients are safe if you are catering for those with allergies.