Peanut Butter Fudge Brownies

Every good high school movie has a part where 'the new kid' stands awkwardly in the canteen with a tray of miserably grey food staring at the full-up tables looking for a friendly face to sit beside. They inevitably end up eating in the toilet cubicle.  For those youngsters who cannot wait for that final bell to ring to release them from this unpleasant form of social introduction I have saddening words. Unfortunately you have many days of being the 'new kid' ahead of you in your life as an adult- first day of college, first day of work, being ditched at a party where you know no one by your friend so she can go lick the face of a guy who looks like a drug dealer etc. etc.

But there is good news! Although there is no escape from this first day foray into alien territory the food need not be as grey as the usual school canteen fodder. Cheer yourself up with chocolate and peanut butter, a match made in pure gluttony heaven. Brownies are true indulgence for a shoddy day and these brownies have a peanut buttery 'hello' suprise inside. They bake up cracked on the top and moist on the inside.

For the fudge
Half quantity of Peanut Butter Fudge

For the brownies (From Donal Skehan's Kitchen Hero)
225g dark/milk chocolate
225g butter
300g caster sugar
3 large eggs beaten
1 tsp vanilla extract
75g plain flour sieved
1 tsp baking powder

Method:
1. Melt the butter and chocolate in a heatproof bowl over simmering water. Stir regularly. Allow to cool.
2. Beat the eggs with the sugar until it doubles in volume and becomes frothy- about 2-3 minutes.
3. Slowly add the chocolate butter mix and add the vanilla extract. Mix well until the chocolate is evenly distributed.
4. Sieve the flour and baking powder over and fold. Be careful as the flour will create pockets. Break these but don't overmix. Pour half the mix into a 9 x 12 inch baking tin lined with baking paper. Chop up the fudge and sprinkle generously. Cover with the rest of the brownie mix.
5. Bake at 180oc for 30 minutes until crusty at the top and the brownie has come away from the side. Remove from the oven and allow to cool fully before cutting into squares.