250g unsalted butter
200g dark Fairtrade chocolate (70% cocoa solids), broken up
50g chopped walnuts
80g cocoa powder, sifted
65g plain flour, sifted
1 teaspoon baking powder
360g caster sugar
4 large free-range or organic eggs
optional: zest of 1 orange
optional: 250ml crème fraîche

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C/350°F/gas 4.
   
2. Line a 25cm square baking tin with greaseproof paper.
   
3. In a large bowl over some simmering water, melt the butter and the chocolate and mix until smooth. Add the chopped nuts and stir together.
   
4. In a separate bowl, mix together the cocoa powder, flour, baking powder and sugar, then add this to the chocolate, and nut mixture. Stir together well.
   
5. Beat the eggs and mix in until you have a silky consistency.
6. Pour your brownie mix into the baking tray, and place in the oven for around 25 minutes.
   
7. You don’t want to overcook them so, unlike cakes, you don’t want a skewer to come out all clean. The brownies should be slightly springy on the outside but still gooey in the middle.
   
8. Allow to cool in the tray, then carefully transfer to a large chopping board and cut into chunky squares. These make a fantastic dessert served with a dollop of crème fraîche mixed with some orange zest.