Brownies with Walnuts

It has been a while since I last added anything in my blog.
Hmm... been down with the flu, yes again! I felt horrible and the coughing was enough to make me
go off food for a while.
I even forsake my favorites! If only it works all the time, without having the pain of being sick...
I would definitely lose weight! LOL

Right started feeling better and I even dared to slowly sip iced drinks! Beraninya, lepas tu batuk lagi!
I began combing books and blogs for new recipes, found some interesting ones but didn't have the will to
do anything other then mentally keeping in for future 'rajin mode'

Brownies particularly caught my attention as it was easy and the ingredients were at home.
Plus Mum wanted to eat some too. So without much ado I started baking a batch last night
at 10 pm.
Why tengah malam? I love to bake then, it is quiet and the weather cooler too.

I read somewhere brownies using cocoa powder is much better in texture compared to the chocolates ones.
Entahlah, but I thought both taste delicious. This recipe uses cocoa powder, on one hand it is easier as cocoa powder doesn't require melting which to me is a tad tedious.
Back to the recipe, I found two. The measurements and ingredients are similar with exception of butter or oil.
Once again it is the melting thing. If you do opt for butter, I'd use a microwave oven.
It is easy and quick.

I normally measure the butter and put it in a bowl or glass measuring jug. Use a plate to cover so that the poor oven doesn't get splattered by butter later.
On High, depending on how cold or hard your butter is, for about 1/2 a cup 1 min is enough. If there are still lumps, just add a few more seconds or another minute would do it.

Brownies with Walnut
source: http://southernfood.about.com/od/brownies/r/bl21210e.htm &
            http://allrecipes.com/recipe/mmm-mmm-better-brownies/

1/2 cup vegetable oil or melted butter (I used sunflower oil)
1 cup white sugar (I used brown sugar)
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
1/2 cup all purpose flour (I used Tepung Gandum Blue Key)
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)


Method
In a bowl mix oil, sugar and vanilla. If using butter make sure to let it cool first before adding.
Using a hand whisk beat to combine.
Beat in the eggs, beat again until sugar dissolves.

In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder, cocoa powder (please sieve all)
and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture. Whisk as you go
and be careful of lumps. Mix well until smooth and glossy.
Stir in walnut. Pour into greased 9 x 9 cake tin.
Bake at 175 c for 20-25 min.

Happy Baking.