Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Healthy Fudgy Brownies - Simplified!

If you've already tried Peanut Butter Brownies, this recipe won't taste any different. The difference is that THIS RECIPE is EVEN HEALTHIER! I've included some previous text, since it highlights dates!

Like I often say, these are so healthy you could eat them for breakfast! In fact, that is exactly what my 10 yr-old daughter did! She said, "I had to remind myself that these were healthy, so I would stop eating them!" (she actually makes very healthy choices, but that's what she said).


Peanut butter and walnuts are healthy fats, and cocoa has it's own exhausting list of mental and and other health benefits! 

Dates rock! Check out: Dr Greger's endorsement of dates as a healthy food. In a nutshell: a worry is that dates (mostly sugar) may raise our blood sugar, raise our triglycerides, oxidatively stress our bodies, and make us fat. According to recent studies: DATES are FANTASTIC for us! Dates have no effect on triglycerides or weight, and improve antioxidant stress levels. One study proposes that dates may be an almost IDEAL food with their many essential nutrients and health benefits!


Speaking of Dr Greger, this recipe will help you achieve 5 delicious check marks on Dr Greger's Daily Dozen Checklist!

Healthy Fudgy Brownies

1.5 c black beans (or 1 can, drained, rinsed)
3 c pitted dates (60 dates if you're counting!)
2 c walnuts*
1/2" fresh turmeric (or 1/2 tsp)
1/2 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 t vanilla
1/2 c ground flaxseed
3/4 c unsweetened cocoa
1.75 c water

In a strong blender, such as a Blendtec or Vitamix, combine ingredients. Add water, 1/2 cup at a time, pulsing between, until mixture is smooth. Line a 12x18" baking sheet with a silicone baking sheet. Alternatively, use several silicone pans (Last time I used a 9x9 square pan, a bread pan, and an 8" round pan to use all the batter). Spread batter about a half inch thick on baking sheet. Bake for 40-50 min at 400 degrees F (convection: 30-40 min at 375). Enjoy!

Gently cut while warm, with a serrated knife.

*Walnuts are healthiest, and one of the least expensive, but probably any nut will work!
**water helps with mixing, but if you omit that last cup of water, or some of it, brownies will be less gooey in the middle.

These are delicious piping hot from the oven! SO YUMMY! AND even tastier the next day...if there are any left!



COMMENTS: What is your favorite dessert? Have you tried a healthy version? Is there a recipe you would like me to try to convert, sweet or savory?

Previous directions (in case this is what you prefer):
In a food processor, combine nuts, dates, spices, beans, and vanilla. Add water, 1/2 cup at a time, pulsing between, until mixture is smooth. In a large mixing bowl, combine mixture with remaining ingredients (flaxseed, cocoa, peanut butter) until smooth. Optional, add up to 1 c additional water**. Line a 12x18" baking sheet with a silicone baking sheet. Spread batter about a half inch thick on baking sheet. Bake for 40-50 min at 400 degrees F (convection: 30-40 min at 375). Enjoy!

9 comments:

Fresh-You said...

These brownies sort of solidify more and get chewier as they cool, and they are even better the next day!

Unknown said...

Posting this on my balanced meals recipes page: facebook.com/nutriph

Fresh-You said...

Date research! https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3112406/

Anonymous said...

how many portions does this make?

Fresh-You said...

This recipe makes about 60 brownies that are maybe a little smaller than 2x2".

Anonymous said...

Have you tried freezing them, Colleen?

Fresh-You said...

I don't see any reason why freezing wouldn't work just fine (this recipe makes a lot of brownies), however, I've never frozen any type of brownie before :)

sunshine99 said...

Hi Colleen, I just found you from your post on Dr. Greger's latest video. Question about recipe amounts. In the ingredients list, you have 1 cup water. In the directions, it looks like you call for 2 cups plus 1 more cup of water, for a total of 3 cups. Is that correct? Of course I don't have to go to the store for the water, but want to make sure what it right before I try making this version of black bean brownies.

Thanks!!

Fresh-You said...

Thanks for stopping Sunshine99 (great name!)! It's a total of 3c (I just list water twice on top). You could probably use a bit less, but it helps to get everything mixed. These turn out very gooey, but everyone I give them to does go for seconds! And you can keep going back for more because they are super nutritious! Also, they are less gooey the next day.

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