White chocolate brownies with peanut butter frosting

Ingredients

For the brownies

• 225g/8oz caster sugar

• 4 free-range eggs

• 225g/8oz butter, melted, plus extra for greasing

• 150g/5½oz plain flour, sifted

• 225g/8oz white chocolate, chopped

• 100g/3½oz macadamia nuts, chopped

For the frosting

• 75g/2¾oz butter

• 175g/6oz icing sugar

• 1 vanilla pod, split, seeds scraped out with a knife (the pod can be reserved for another recipe)

• 125g/4½oz crunchy peanut butter

• 50-75ml/2-4fl oz milk (optional)

Preparation method

1. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4. Grease a 20cm/8in square cake tin with butter.

2. For the brownies, in a bowl, beat together the sugar and eggs until pale and fluffy. Beat in the melted butter a little at a time, making sure each addition of butter is fully incorporated before adding the next.

3. Add the flour and carefully fold it into the mixture using a metal spoon.

4. Add the chopped white chocolate and macadamia nuts and carefully fold them into the mixture.

5. Spoon the brownie batter into the prepared cake tin and shake gently until level. Transfer the tin to the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the centre of the brownies comes out clean. Set aside to cool.

6. Meanwhile, for the frosting, in a mixing bowl, whisk together the butter, icing sugar and vanilla seeds using an electric whisk until smooth and well combined.

7. Add the peanut butter and whisk until the mixture is smooth and well combined. (Add a little milk, if using, to loosen the mixture, as necessary).

8. Once the white chocolate brownies have cooled, spread over the peanut butter frosting in an even layer. Cut the brownies into squares, carefully remove them from the tin and serve on a large serving plate.