Better Brownies
Lately I am not sure what has come over me, but I have had a serious hankering for brownies. Everytime I went to the grocery store I would see them and avoid the temptation and say to myself, if you really want them then just make them yourself. Afterall, brownies do contain healthy antioxidant-rich cocoa. Wellness isn’t about deprivation. It is about making conscious choices in alignment with your values. It is also about enjoying life and having fun. Since I love baking and being in the kitchen creating, brownies fall under the wellness category! And while we do have a few different versions of healthy brownies in our cookbook, today I just made a healthier version of a classic recipe. A general rule of thumb when I am making something a little indulgent (like brownies) is that right off the top I will swap a whole grain pastry flour for the white flour. I cut the sugar by 1/3 and I usually also cut the fat or substitute a little applesauce in its place.
Better Brownies
2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1 cup cocoa powder
3/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon instant coffee granules
1 dash salt
1 stick butter
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1 cup applesauce
3 eggs
Preheat oven to 350. Prepare 9 x 13 inch nonstick cake/baking pan by lining with parchment paper and/or spraying a coat of cooking spray over the pan.
Over low heat melt butter together with chocolate chips, stirring frequently until totally melted. Stir in 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract. Set aside to cool.
Combine flour, cocoa, sugar, salt, and instant coffee and set aside.
Beat eggs together and then add applesauce and beat again. Slowly stir in flour mixture until well combined, then stir in melted butter and chocolate, again stirring until well combined. Stir in additional chopped walnuts or chocolate chips if desired.
Pour brownie mixture into prepared baking pan and bake for about 25 to 30 minutes until desired texture is reached. The less time the brownies cook the chewier they will be.
Per Brownie: 172 Calories; 8g Fat; 3g Protein; 25g Carbohydrate; 4g Dietary Fiber; 44mg Cholesterol; 73mg Sodium.
May 27, 2010
by Optimum WellnessComments
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For extra protein I add either add eggwhites or soy flour.