Snow Flecked Brownies as Muffins?

Asked by Unknown. Answered on 12th December 2014

Full question

I've cooked Nigella's Snow-Flecked Brownies many many times to the delight of my large family. I struggle with the right vessel to use though and if the middle is perfectly squidgy, then the brownies at the edge are overcooked. I'd like to try cupcakes or muffins for my nieces birthday party, do you think this will work ok? If so could you advise me how long to cook at what temperature. The ingredients are very precious and expensive so I don't want to ruin the batch (although I'm sure I'd scoff them myself anyway...) Many thanks.

Our answer

Nigella's Snow-Flecked Brownies (from Feast) are rich brownies that are studded with white chocolate chips or chunks. They are a particulary rich and gooey version of a brownie. Unfortunately we do not think that they will bake particularly well in cupcake form. We have tried baking other brownie recipes in cupcake pans but there are two problems. The first is that it is difficult to get the brownies to bake evenly, the ones on the outside of the muffin pan tend to cook more quickly and can be over baked before the ones in the centre are done. Also we have found that often the brownie cupcakes have a tendancy to sink in the centre.

The best pan to use is a metal rectangular pan. Nigella uses one that is 23 x 33cm (9 x 13 inches). Quite often you can find these sold specifically as "brownie pans" and in the UK they can also be labelled as "traybake tins" (try Lakeland for a good selection of pans). When baking brownies start checking them 5 minutes before the end of the stated cooking time, as all ovens vary. The brownies are done when a cake tester insetred into the centre comes out with damp crumbs on it (but not uncooked cake batter).