Entering 2018 I want to go into the new year with a healthier attitude towards food and exercise. No more fad diets or celebrity eating plans – just a lifestyle change to eat healthy, nutritious food eighty per cent of the time and allow myself some indulgence twenty per cent of the time.
With this in mind when I saw the recipe for these skinny brownies in The Good Life cookbook by Sally Obermeder and Maha Koraiem, I knew I had to make them. They are completely sugar free and are great for a morning or afternoon snack.
You will need:
1 teaspoon olive oil, for greasing
350g honey or maple syrup
40g unsweetened cocoa or cacao powder
75g plain flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1/4 tsp salt
135g unsweetened apple sauce
2 tbsps coconut oil
2 tsps vanilla extract
1 egg (at room temperature)
60g chopped walnuts or pecans
85g cacao nibs
Begin by pre heating your oven to 180C/350F and line a baking tray with baking paper. Lightly spray the baking paper with olive oil.
Measure the honey or maple syrup into a large bowl and microwave on high for 45 seconds.
Whisk in the cacao or unsweetened cocoa powder and allow to cool.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl combine the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and salt.
In a large bowl, whisk the apple sauce, coconut oil and vanilla extract together until well combined. I used natural Greek yoghurt as I didn’t have apple sauce.
Add the egg, then the cooled honey-cocoa mixture, nuts and cacao nibs and stir until smooth. I used brazil nuts as I didn’t have walnuts or pecans.
Add the flour mixture and stir until all the flour is incorporated. Pour onto the baking tray and spread out evenly.
Bake for 25-30 minutes. To test it, insert a toothpick into the centre. It’s ready if there are a few moist crumbs on it.
Cool on a wire rack. Once cooled, remove the brownies using the baking paper and slice into squares.
Enjoy!
Tag me in your pictures if you make these, I’d love to see!