Description
These Chocolate, Orange and Mince Pie Brownies combine festive holiday flavors with rich, fudgy chocolate and zesty citrus. Blended with warm mince pie spices and gooey mincemeat, this indulgent dessert offers moist, tender brownies perfect for sharing or gifting during the season.
Ingredients
Scale
Chocolate Mixture
- 200g good quality dark chocolate (at least 60% cocoa)
- 150g unsalted butter
Wet Ingredients
- 3 large eggs (room temperature)
- 200g brown sugar
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1½ tsp mince pie spice (or mixed ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves)
Dry Ingredients
- 125g all-purpose flour (or gluten-free baking blend for gluten-free option)
Festive Additions
- 100g mincemeat
- Optional: 50g chopped walnuts or pecans
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients and preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking pan (approximately 20×20 cm) with parchment paper and lightly grease it. Zest the orange and measure out the mince pie spice and mincemeat to streamline your baking process.
- Melt chocolate and butter: Gently melt the dark chocolate and butter together in a heatproof bowl over simmering water or in short bursts in the microwave. Stir until smooth and combine well. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk the room temperature eggs and brown sugar together until the mixture is lighter in color and fluffy. Add the orange zest and mince pie spice, mixing thoroughly to evenly distribute the flavors.
- Combine chocolate mixture with wet ingredients: Gradually pour the cooled chocolate and butter mixture into the egg and sugar mixture, folding gently to maintain airiness while fully incorporating the ingredients.
- Add dry ingredients and mincemeat: Sift the flour into the batter and fold carefully until smooth. Gently swirl portions of mincemeat and chopped nuts (if using) into the batter, creating pockets of rich, festive gooeyness throughout.
- Bake the brownies: Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with a few moist crumbs but no raw batter. Remove from oven and let cool completely before slicing into squares.
Notes
- Use room temperature eggs for easier blending and a smoother batter texture.
- Zest the orange before juicing to retain the vibrant oils and fresh flavor.
- Fold ingredients gently and just until combined to keep brownies fudgy and tender.
- Check bake time carefully; brownies will continue cooking slightly after removal from the oven, so pull out when just underdone for gooey centers.
- Line your pan well with parchment paper for easy removal and clean cuts.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British/Seasonal
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brownie (based on 16 servings)
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 55mg