Gluten-Free Chestnut & Chocolate Brownies

Prepare to indulge in a delightful combination of rich, nutty chestnuts and decadent dark chocolate with these Gluten-Free Chestnut & Chocolate Brownies. These delectable treats are not only irresistibly delicious but also suitable for those with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease, thanks to the absence of gluten-containing ingredients in the recipe.

To start, we’ll guide you through the process of preparing the chestnuts for these scrumptious brownies. Then, we’ll dive into creating the gooey, chocolatey goodness that makes these brownies truly unforgettable.

PREP 20 MINS

COOK 25-30 MINS

MAKES 16

INGREDIENTS:

For Chestnuts:

• 500g fresh chestnuts

For Brownies:

• 350g cooked and peeled chestnuts (Note: Standard self-raising flour can be used for a non-gluten-free version if desired.)
• 200g good quality dark chocolate, broken into squares
• 200g unsalted butter, chopped
• 1 ¼ cups brown sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 4 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup gluten-free self-raising flour
• 2 tbsp cocoa
• Pinch of salt

INSTRUCTIONS:

Preparing the Chestnuts:

1. Preheat your oven to 200°C / 180°C fan-forced.
2. Make a shallow cross on the flat side of each chestnut shell. Place the prepared chestnuts on a baking tray and bake them for 15 to 20 minutes or until the shells split open.
3. Once baked, remove the chestnuts from the heat and wrap them in a clean tea towel for 5 minutes. While the chestnuts are still warm, quickly peel off the outer brown shell and remove the papery thin skin underneath. Your chestnuts are now ready to be used in the brownie recipe.

Making the Brownies:

1. Reduce the oven temperature to 180°C / 160°C fan-forced. Grease and line a 16cm x 26cm x 2-3cm deep slab pan with baking paper, leaving a 2cm overhang on the sides.
2. Set aside 50g of the cooked and peeled chestnuts. Place the remaining chestnuts into a food processor and process until fine crumbs form (you’ll need 2 cups of ground chestnuts). Set this chestnut mixture aside.
3. In a large microwave-safe bowl, place the dark chocolate and chopped butter. Microwave on high for 2 minutes, stirring with a metal spoon every minute until the chocolate and butter are melted. Set the mixture aside to cool slightly.
4. Using a metal spoon, stir in the brown sugar, vanilla extract, and lightly beaten eggs into the chocolate mixture until well combined. Sift the gluten-free self-raising flour, cocoa, and salt over the mixture, and stir to combine. Gently fold through the ground chestnuts.
5. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, then chop the reserved 50g of chestnuts and sprinkle them over the top of the batter. Bake the brownies for 25-30 minutes or until a skewer inserted comes out with moist crumbs sticking to it.
6. Once baked, allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, cut them into squares and serve with whipped cream and a dusting of cocoa, if desired.

These Gluten-Free Chestnut & Chocolate Brownies are the perfect treat to satisfy your sweet cravings without compromising on dietary preferences. Enjoy the irresistible combination of chestnuts and chocolate in every delectable bite!