Saturday, April 20, 2013

Best Grain-Free Brownies


This week I had to make a special treat for movie night with my friend Eryn. Since both our men are out of town right now it was the perfect opportunity to get together for girl talk, a chick flick, tea, and dessert. I always have a hard time choosing what to make because there are always so many delicious recipes and ideas to choose from. Somewhere along the way I decided that brownies would be a good choice...
Brownies with chunks of pecans and dark chocolate chips throughout, topped with a raw chocolate frosting and drizzed with peanut butter sauce. How decadent! 


You might remember this recipe. I shared it back in December, before Christmas. I've made these a few times to get them exactly to my liking and everyone I've served them to enjoy them as well. No one will know they're "healthy brownies".


The peanut butter sauce was supposed to be peanut butter mousse but my creation didn't go as planned so I turned it into a sauce instead (and will attempt the mousse idea again at another time!)


Best Healthy Brownies 

Gluten free - grain free- refined sugar free

I also made these with half butter and half coconut oil. There was a texture difference but was still great. 

1/2 cup almond flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon himalayan salt
3/4 cup coconut sugar
1/2 cup butter or coconut oil, melted*
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
1/4 cup mini dark chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350F.
In a bowl whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt.
In a separate bowl beat the coconut sugar and melted butter. Add the eggs and vanilla and whisk again.
Add the dry mixture to the wet and beat until combined.
Fold in the walnuts and chocolate chips.
Pour into a greased 8x8" pan. Bake for 18- 20 minutes.
Cool before adding frosting.



Chocolate Frosting

5 tablespoon maple syrup
5 tablespoons cacao powder
2 tablespoons cashew butter
3 tablespoons coconut butter
2 tablespoons melted coconut oil
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Whisk together the maple and cacao powder.
Add the remaining ingredients and whisk until combined. If the mixture starts to firm up before you're ready to frost, place the bowl over another bowl of hot water.
Frost cooled brownies and sprinkle with chopped walnuts or pecans (if desired).


Peanut Butter Sauce

As I mentioned above, this was supposed to be a mousse and when it didn't turn out, I changed it and thinned it into a sauce. I don't have an actual recipe but here are the ingredients.

Coconut milk
Peanut butter
Coconut nectar
Vanilla
Water

Have a great weekend! We have mountains of snow here still but the sun is shining.

Part of Slightly Indulgent Tuesdays, Allergy Free Wednesdays

13 comments:

  1. what is coconut nectar? looks divine! :)

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    1. Thanks! Coconut nectar is a liquid sweetener made from coconut. You can find it in most health food stores, whole foods, online. Or you can sub maple syrup or agave.

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  2. Replies
    1. Not sure if a flax "egg" would work in these.

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  3. These look absolutely decadent! What a treat for you both :) I am really into grain-free treat lately so I'm excited to try something like these!

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    1. Thanks Gabby! Grain free is the way to be! lol Hope you had a great weekend :)

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  4. dont do eggs, what is a better substitute?

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    1. I haven't tried so im not sure if flax eggs would work. A few people have been asking so maybe i'll attempt an egg free version.

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    2. Please do! It is so hard to be allergic to eggs :)

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  5. Looks delicious! Please come share at the Allergy Friendly Lunchbox Love link party:

    http://allergyfreecookery.blogspot.com/2013/05/allergy-friendly-lunchbox-love-51013.html

    I would love to find these brownies in my lunchbox :)

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  6. I made these for my birthday and they were wonderful! Thanks Heather! They were a big hit with everyone!

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  7. I made these brownies last night for my boyfriend who has not been able to eat ANY starches for 4 years. You should have seen his face light up. This is a great recipe we'll use over and over again. Thank you!

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    1. That's so awesome Molly! I've already made these many times too. So glad your boyfriend can enjoy.

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