by Fiona Greene

This is my butterscotch brownies recipe. It’s an old hosptial recipe dating back to about 1995 and it’s the slice everyone wants me to bring if I bake at work.

Melt 60g butter with 1 cup of brown sugar till smooth. Add a generous teaspoon of vanilla essence and cool, then add 1 pre-scrambled egg and a pinch of salt (optional). Stir in 1/2 cup self-raising flour and 3/4 cup coconut. Spread into a slice tin, smooth top and bake at 180 degrees C for 20-25 mins. Cut when cool.

What began as an impersonal-but-cheerful holiday gift for a soldier far from home becomes so much more…