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Yup. I’m the lazy one. The Lazy Cook. And impatient, too! Especially when eager to get some of this super-easy, chocolate melty, gooey brownie goodness past my lips! Quick and easy is the name of the game these days! Especially with a little one around, who though now occasionally ‘helping’ me with the baking, also has other priorities – like throwing balls, drawing pictures and reading stories – with Mummy (caps, bold and underlined). These brownies fit the bill.

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None of this getting out the electric mixer, making even more dishes! Rant Alert Have you ever noticed how dishes multiply and have babies? I swear, when I come back to the kitchen after scolding the toddler for sitting on the cat spending quality time with the toddler or hanging out the washing, there are twice as many dishes as I remember sitting there on the sink, gloating at me. I ignore them, hoping they’ll go away. (They don’t.)

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Thank God for the dishwasher (which by the way I only just started using after many years and yes, I’m a big fan)! And for quick and easy brownie recipes. One-bowl brownie recipes. Or, to be technical, a one-saucepan brownie recipe. This one had me at ‘hello’. I did have to adjust the pan size and baking time, but now that I have, they’re perfect. Pretty much. Just ate four pieces in one sitting, and no, my hips are not thanking me. But I’m certain you will.

You’re welcome.

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The Lazy Cook’s Melt and Mix Cocoa Brownies

Prep time 15 min
Total cooking time 20 min
Makes 16

Ingredients
80g (2 ¾ oz) butter
40g (1 ½ oz/ 1/3 cup) unsweetened cocoa powder (natural or Dutch process)
145g (5 oz/ 2/3 cup) caster sugar
2 eggs
60g (2 ¼ oz/ ½ cup) plain flour
¼ teaspoon baking powder
100g (3 ½ oz/ ½ cup) dark chocolate chips

For fun:
A handful of mini M&Ms

Method
Preheat oven to 180C (350F/ Gas 4). Grease and line a baking tin 20 x 20cm (8 x 8 inches) with baking paper.

Melt the butter in a saucepan, then stir in the cocoa and sugar. Add the eggs, stirring to combine.

Sift the flour, baking powder and a pinch of salt into the saucepan, then stir to combine. Add the chocolate chips and stir until just combined. Do not beat.

Pour the mixture into the prepared tin, sprinkle with mini M&Ms and bake for 18 minutes, or until shiny and set. Don’t be tempted to leave these longer in the oven. If they are still slightly squidgy, this is good.

Allow to cool in tin, then remove to a board and cut into 16 pieces.

Eat warm, while the chocolate chips are still melty and soft.

Adapted from Family Circle’s ‘Baking – A Commonsense Guide’

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