Desserts Recipes - Walnut Fancies Recipe

Ingredients

SERVES 10

• 75g/3oz cooking chocolate

• 75g/3oz butter

• 150g/5oz granulated sugar

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 2 eggs (slightly beaten)

• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla essence

• 100g/4oz plain flour (sifted)

For the walnut topping:

• 50g/2oz butter

• 50g/2oz granulated sugar

• 100g/4oz demerara sugar

• 2 tablespoons plain flour

• 2 eggs (slightly beaten)

• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla essence

• 350g/12oz broken walnut pieces

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Method:

1. Line a greased 23cm/9in square baking tin with baking parchment.

2. Melt the  chocolate with the butter in a large heatproof bowl over simmering water. Remove from the heat and mix well. Mix in the sugar and salt.

3. Stir in the eggs and vanilla essence, blending well. Fold in the flour until blended. Spread evenly into the baking tin. Chill until cold for about 2 hours.

4. Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas mark 4. About 10 minutes before baking, prepare the walnut topping by melting the butter in a heavy-based saucepan over a low heat.

5. Stir in both sugars and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Remove from heat, stir in the flour and eggs, blending well.

6. Return to the heat and cook for about 3 minutes, stirring until thick and light in color. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla essence and walnuts, stirring well to coat the nuts evenly.

7. Spoon over the chilled bottom layer, spreading to the edges. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes. Cool on a wire rack before cutting into slices.