Healthy Brownies for a Healthy Lifestyle

Are you on a diet? I am. Having friends who want every food that they can't have when they go off to school is cause for a few extra pounds on the scale. For a couple weeks, I willingly and enjoyably tagged along to all these yummy eateries with friends who needed their "last hurrah" before leaving. It was a happy time. However, when they left, all that was left of their presence was my double chin. Yum~ So I've decided to go on a diet in the meantime to shed all those fish and shrimp tacos, carne asada fries, sushi rolls, sandwiches, and countless amounts of desserts.

BUT I'M A BAKER AND CHOCOLATE ADDICT! The diet wasn't too bad to begin with, but my chocolate craving started creeping up on me into the 4th day. I frantically looked all over the internet for something that I could enjoy. The result: these healthy brownies made with NO flour or butter. Let me tell you right off the bat, these are not going to taste like normal brownies -- those chewy, dense, full-fat chunks of chocolate and butter. No, this recipe is for those who don't want to break your diet, but can't resist a little chocolate pleasure. This is the recipe for you.

Traditionally, brownies are made with flour, sugar, eggs, butter, and cocoa. I took the same concept, but exchanged the flour for almond meal, sugar for splenda, and butter for oil. Yeah, it doesn't sound like the brownies would taste very good, but remember?? We're on a diet.

almond meal


ghirardelli's cocoa


Don't get me wrong, I think the brownies taste good. The final product came out not as dense, a little nuttier flavored, and not as sweet. I would make this again in the future in order to save a few pounds.

Here's the recipe for the healthiest brownie you will ever try. If you want to try this recipe in its normal form, I heard it produces pretty good brownies.


Cocoa Brownies

Ingredients

1/2 cup oil (I used vegetable oil)

1-1/4 cup white sugar (Used Splenda)

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 cup all-purpose flour (used almond meal)

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease and flour 8-inch square pan.

In a large saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter. Remove from heat, and stir in sugar, eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Gently stir in 1/3 cup cocoa, 1/2 cup flour, salt, and baking powder. Spread batter into prepared pan.

Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes.

Enjoy!