Yes you read that right.
I am going to give you an invaluable lesson on how NOT to bake brownies.
There are so many recipes and instructions out there on how to make perfect brownies……but life isn’t perfect…and disasters do sometimes happen.
And seeing as I generally try to avoid the kitchen, it is no surprise that this attempt at baking brownies led to me wanting to curl up on the sofa in a fetal position and whimper away.
SO what possessed me to even try to bake brownies?
Me being the optimistic, agreed to test out some of Tate & Lyle sugars who have a new Taste Experience range of golden and brown Sugars.
I was sent some Golden Syrup sugar which is described as:
‘The fairtrade cane sugar is rich and bold with a luscious, lingering sweetness and will enhance the flavour of your baking with a hint of distinctive Lyle’s Golden Syrup. It’s perfect in fruit desserts, marvellously moist cakes and to make a shimmering glazes for sweet and savoury dishes’.
I also received dark muscovado sugar which is described as having ‘an intensively rich and aromatic molasses flavour with a moist, fudgy texture. As I am not really a baker, I had never heard of this type of sugar, so decided I wanted to try it out.
Although Tate & Lyle have recipes on their website, I found a brownie recipe elsewhere that I wanted to try.
It looked straight forward so I thought nothing could go wrong. And it didn’t look like it would take long to bake.
So what went wrong?
1. Don’t substitute items.
I didn’t have any dark chocolate in the house, so I just used some chocolate that was lying around in the house. Hubby also went out to get some coco powder but the local store didn’t have some so I just threw in some hot chocolate powder ( I had already started it all and couldn’t wait for hubby to go further afield for the coco powder).
2. Don’t ignore the measurements given.
Although I used the scales if the amount went over slightly I wasn’t too fussed….but I guess anyone would know it could make a huge difference.
3. Don’t ignore some of the instructions
If the instructions say to line the tray with grease proof paper then do it!
4. Don’t think you know better and ignore the cooking time!!!
Now this was my fatal flaw. The recipe said to bake for 18-20 minutes…….. I baked for a heck of a lot longer. I had the mentality that it had to be like a cake…..cooked through…. and as it was looking gooey on top I thought it was uncooked. So I think they ended up in the oven for around 30-40 mins!! I totally didn’t click that once they came out of the oven, the chocolate could harden.
SO harden it did. And it ended up chewy and then so rock solid that I am sure I could have cracked open someones skull with it. However, I did manage to taste some before it solidified and it DID taste nice……so I guess I could get away with saying it wasn’t a complete disaster.
However, I will not be defeated by brownies….and I WILL try again and conquer them! (If not then I am sure I will be able to use the sugar for another recipe, as it does taste lovely!)
Ah well never mind – chalk it up to experience! They do LOOK good though!!
Oh no! They do look tasty but I hope your next attempt goes better!
Mummy of Two recently posted…After school activities
Sorry you had a disaster. I wouldn’t be able to make these as Tate & Lyle sugar now has a nut allergy warning and can’t be eaten by allergy sufferers. This is a great shame as since there is one ingredient – sugar – you would have thought Tate & Lyle could have kept their manufacturing so that it doesn’t include nuts. Rant over!
Kirsty recently posted…The Shape of My Heart by Mark Sperring & Alys Paterson
Oh I didn’t realise that…that IS a shame!
Hehe, that’s quite a catalogue of errors! Still, it does look good from the picture – I quite fancy a brownie myself now…
Mummygadgetgeek recently posted…An umbrella fold stroller with a difference – the Silver Cross Reflex review
lol – I have a few good recipes on my Recipe Blog you could try 😉
http://thereciperesource.blogspot.co.uk
Oh dear!! This is the sort of thing that happens to me all the time – I always go into things with good intentions but cut too many corners and end up with a disaster!! This looks really quite tasty though – although I’m not sure I’d like a cracked skull!!! Good luck with the next batch 😉
Aw, we all have cooking disasters like that – and at least you got a taste before it solidified 😀
Emily @amummytoo recently posted…Making hemp milk at home (recipe and review)
I think brownies can be quite hard to make, took me a few trial and error goes to be honest.
…how to lose thousands of calories. That was my first thought 🙂
Have a great day sis.
Practice makes perfect… good to see it’s not just me!!
Oh no, so sorry your brownies didn’t work out – sometimes baking is a bit like that. But I bet they’ll be better next time. (They still look tasty though.)
You CAN do it try AGAIN – I so need to start baking x
lol this would so be me cooking trying to follow instructions! Although you have inspired me to get in the kitchen and try out a few recipes I’ve been sitting on x
You CAN do it try AGAIN – I really want to take up baking I will remember your tips xx
Liska @NewMumOnline recently posted…My 3 Year Old Boy Loves Books
Looks like you had an ‘uh oh’ moment 😀
VaiChin @Rambling Through Parenthood recently posted…Gravity Defying Builds
Sometimes kitchen disasters make the best stories. Hope you manage to crack them – brownies are super delicious x
Vicky recently posted…Lets Talk About Pets: which pet is best for you and your family? – small mammals
That list picture actually makes them look all lovely and gooey – definitely don’t let those brownies beat you – you can do it! x
Sarah Bailey recently posted…JUST EAT: Review
lol oh dear… brownies don’t seem to take too long at all to cook, it’s nice if they stay soft! but they don’t look too bad though!
Love your summary of what went wrong 🙂
Don’t ignore the measurements given – is a point one for me… sometimes I am just to lazy to measure ingredients correctly and then things go all wrong 🙁
and next time… I will do the same, thinking … Oh, I know how much should gone in this time… NOT 🙁
I love this post – very witty! 🙂
I tries brownies a long time ago and it was a mess too. But I keep trying, it will work at some stage!!
Much love to you Foz.