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Chocolate and macadamia brownie

Chocolate and macadamia brownie

We served this as afternoon tea at The Connaught. I reckon it’s unbeatable and easy. - Alistair Wise

Chocolate and macadamia brownie

Serves 10
Cooking Time Prep time 40 mins, cook 35 mins (plus cooling, setting)
200 gm   butter, coarsely chopped
100 gm   dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids), coarsely chopped
3   eggs
210 gm   caster sugar
100 gm   plain flour
100 gm   macadamias, coarsely chopped
100 gm   brown sugar
1 tbsp   finely grated ginger
5   bananas, halved lengthways
For dusting:   Dutch-process cocoa
To serve:   Valrhona chocolate balls (see note)
Milk chocolate mousse
2   eggs
55 gm   (¼ cup) caster sugar
1½   leaves of gelatine (titanium strength), softened in cold water
5 gm   eggwhite powder (see note)
600 ml   pouring cream
400 gm   milk chocolate (36% cocoa solids), melted and cooled slightly


1 Preheat oven to 150C. Melt butter and chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water, stirring occasionally until smooth. Whisk eggs and caster sugar in an electric mixer until thick and pale (5-6 minutes), fold through chocolate mixture, then fold in flour and macadamia. Spoon into a buttered and baking paper base-lined 22cm-diameter springform pan, smooth top and bake until just firm to touch (20-25 minutes). Cool completely in pan.
2 Heat brown sugar in a large frying pan over medium-high heat until melted (2-3 minutes). Add ginger, stir to combine, then add bananas in a single layer and cook, turning occasionally, until caramelised and tender (4-5 minutes). Arrange on top of the brownie, squash to make a uniform layer then cool completely.
3 Meanwhile, for milk chocolate mousse, whisk eggs and sugar in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water until thick and can hold a ribbon (10-12 minutes), then remove from heat. Squeeze excess liquid from gelatine and whisk in gelatine with eggwhite powder. In a separate bowl, whisk cream until soft peaks form, add chocolate and fold to combine, then fold in egg mixture. Spoon mousse over caramelised banana, smooth top and refrigerate until set (2-3 hours). Dust with Dutch-process cocoa, scatter with chocolate balls and serve immediately.

Note Valrhona balls are available from Simon Johnson and specialty food stores. Eggwhite powder is a professional pâtisserie product. Pavlova Magic can be used as a substitute.

RECIPE Alistair Wise PHOTOGRAPHY Chris Chen STYLING Emma Knowles and Lynsey Fryers


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