Healthy Brownies

 Healthy Brownies are a delicious and guilt-free treat, made with wholesome ingredients while still offering that rich, fudgy flavor. These brownies are made without refined sugars or flour and are naturally sweetened with ingredients like maple syrup and almond flour. Here's a simple recipe for healthy brownies:

Ingredients:

1 cup almond flour (or oat flour)

1/4 cup cocoa powder (unsweetened)

1/4 tsp baking soda

Pinch of salt

1/4 cup coconut oil (melted) or olive oil

1/4 cup maple syrup (or honey for non-vegan option)

2 large eggs (or flax eggs for a vegan version)

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce (or mashed banana)

1/4 cup dark chocolate chips or chunks (optional, for extra chocolatey goodness)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.

2. Prepare the Dry Ingredients:

In a medium bowl, whisk together the almond flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.

3. Prepare the Wet Ingredients:

In a separate large bowl, mix together the melted coconut oil (or olive oil), maple syrup, eggs (or flax eggs), vanilla extract, and applesauce (or mashed banana).

Stir until the wet ingredients are well combined.

4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined. The batter will be thick.

If desired, fold in the dark chocolate chips or chunks for added richness.

5. Bake the Brownies:

Pour the brownie batter into the prepared pan and spread it out evenly.

Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (with just a few moist crumbs).

Let the brownies cool completely in the pan before slicing them into squares.

6. Serve:

Once cooled, slice into squares and serve. Enjoy your healthy, fudgy brownies!

Tips:

Egg Substitution: If you’re making these brownies vegan, replace the eggs with flax eggs (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 2 tbsp water, mixed and set aside for 5 minutes).

Sweetness: Adjust the amount of maple syrup to your preferred sweetness level. If you prefer a sweeter brownie, you can add a little extra maple syrup or a small amount of stevia.

Add-ins: For variety, you can add nuts (like walnuts or pecans) or dried fruit to the batter.

Storage: Store brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4-5 days, or refrigerate for up to a week.

These Healthy Brownies are a great way to satisfy your chocolate cravings without compromising on nutrition. They’re the perfect balance of rich, fudgy texture and wholesome ingredients!