When Ben from Havoc In The Kitchen posted a recipe for lavender brownies I thought they would be perfect for me. However, when I got home I decided to change the recipe completely and make orange blossom brownies. This used up the last of the cordials I had received as my Christmas gift from the kids.
Head straight on to the Recipe For ♥ Orange Blossom Brownies ♥
The first time I went to Australia a work colleague asked me to take gifts over for her partners’ grandchildren. On clarifying that it was just chocolates, I said yes. At that time, luggage allowance was a strict 20 kilograms and I think my suitcase probably weighed 4 of those. So you can imagine the look on my face when a shopping bag filled to the brim was brought to our office. I told her I would take as much as I could while thinking ‘what a cheek’. She expected more than half of my suitcase to be dedicated to the treats. I went home that night to pack, took what I could, and left the rest for my house mate. Had I known how strict the Border Control is in Sydney I might have left even more at home. I faced a grilling of note from them.
Today’s inspirational recipe from Lavender and Lime ♥ Orange Blossom Brownies ♥ #LavenderAndLime Click To Tweet
As far as I was concerned, they could confiscate the lot. I was let off with a stern warning and made arrangements for the packet to be collected. They came at a time convenient to them which meant leaving it on the front porch. This was in the days before cell phones so the only way he could have told me he had collected the parcel was to call the landline. He never did so to this day I have no idea who got the chocolates. But since then I have been very circumspect at agreeing to take things overseas for people. Or for that matter, bring them back with us. It is only a pleasure to help people out, but not if they take advantage. And I am sure to not ask someone to bring too much over for me. Would you ever have taken over all that chocolate?
Click on the links for conversions and notes.
Orange Blossom Brownies
Ingredients
- 300 g 80% dark chocolate, roughly chopped
- 227 g salted butter, cubed
- 95 g coconut sugar
- 4 eggs
- 50 mls orange blossom water
- 200 g flour
- 35 g cocoa powder
- icing sugar for dusting (optional)
Method
- Preheat the oven to 175° Celsius
- Place the chocolate and butter into a large bowl over a bain-marie and leave to melt over a low temperature
- Stir to combine with a spatula once melted, then remove from the heat and set aside
- Add the sugar and stir until it dissolves
- Crack the eggs into a jug, add the orange blossom water and whisk to combine
- Slowly pour into the chocolate while whisking until combined
- Place the flour and cocoa into a mixing bowl and whisk to combine
- Gently fold into the chocolate until just combined then pour into a lined brownie tin
- Place into the oven and bake for 25 minutes
- Remove from the oven and leave to cool in the tin for 20 minutes
- Dust with icing sugar, cut and serve
Inspiration published on Lavender and Lime November 12:
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- 2018: Reginette Alla Norma
- 2015: Pickled Onions
- 2014: The Cake Book
- 2013: Zopako Bread
- 2012: The Jolly Cookathon
- 2011: Figs For The Something Sweet Challenge
- 2010: Milk Tart
Goodness yes – when I went to Australia, they were super strict about any kind of food entering. There were sniffer dogs there to spot anyone sneaking treats in.
Orange blossom sounds so lovely.
Those dogs do a bit more than that, but yes, they are everywhere!
I rarely even buy gifts for friends, even wine. Bottles take up too much room and there’s always the potential for breakage. my friends understand. I’m actually not one to put botanicals like lavender in everything. So I much prefer using orange blossom water. chocolate and orange are lovely together.
They are one of my favourite flavour combinations 🙂
Good grief NO, after my last experience at Border Control in Australia I’d probably not accept carrying anything for somebody else. Which proves that you are a far nicer person than I am! Have a lovely and relaxing weekend.
I still say yes, but only to a few people 🙂
Hi Tandy, it could have just been ignorance on your friend’s part. Some people haven’t travelled and don’t understand about luggage allowances and that sort of thing. When I was 22 my boyfriend went to live and work in South Korea for a year. I send him a parcel via one of his work colleagues and I included a tin of condensed milk. It caused such a problem for them and I had no idea it would.
Regardless, asking someone to take 10kgs of anything as a gift seems a bit extreme. I too would never have thought condensed milk would cause an issue.
It was the mental can that caused the problem. I do agree about the 10kgs but I was trying to be understanding [smile]. Your response came through to my email and I am so pleased. It’s the first time.
Tandy these brownies look so delicious, and I love the idea of Orange Blossom water as a flavouring one of my favourites. Next time I make brownies, I’ll give yours a try. Super fudgy brownies are the way to go. People who have never travelled much don’t understand the pressures of packing and the weight aspects involved, and what happens at the other end when you arrive with customs etc Thank goodness I’ve never been asked by a friend to take gifts overseas for them.
And some customs officials are worse than others …
I had the same grilling when I took goodies for my grandsons…but as for your situation, Tandy I think it was a cheek and most rude to not acknowledge collection…Love the use of Orange Blossom 🙂
I am sure your grandsons were appreciative!
Unusual flavors in brownies sounds very interesting, though I don’t have them often enough to want much variety. I’m happy with just plain chocolate.
best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com
That is still the best.
I think I would have done exactly what you did…
I am glad I am not alone!
First let me say that I love orange blossom water and like to use it to flavor many desserts. This recipe looks amazing (I’ll have to try it). As far as the chocolate- I probably would have been in the same situation you were in. I would have wanted to help out, but would have been angry that they were inconsiderate. We just traveled to Florida and a neighbor asked me to take a big box to Florida for them from Philadelphia- We had room so it was no problem .. but now we have the huge box until they arrive in 10 days!!! but I was glad to help.. Wouldn’t do it for overseas or if I was flying, not driving.
I don’t mind either when we have space and are driving. Did you ask what the contents were?
Oh chocolate and orange blossom water sound like a perfect flavour combination. These brownies also got an awesome fudgy texture!
Thanks for the inspiration Ben!