31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 21

[badfalcon]

I swear I haven't forgotten LOL... still determined to actually finish it.. it just might take a while! Slow and steady wins the race, or something like that.

10 Favourite Foods1) Chocolate. What? it's true. I'm a freaking chocaholic, I love the stuff

Comments

[lexstar29]

Here you go. Two Brownie recipes for the price of one! One healthy version, one not so healthy version! Personally I like the healthy version best now and the healthy frosting I can eat by the bucket load, which somewhat defeats the purpose! You can get flaxmeal in health food stores, basically it's just ground flaxseed, it's not that expensive. When you make these the batter will look dry, don't be tempted to add more liquid ingredients, the courgettes will dispense a *lot* of water in the baking so will even it out!

The healthy version - Ingredients

1/2 cup shredded courgettes (100g)
1/3 cup applesauce (80g)
1 cup plus 2 tbsp water (270g)
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
3 tbsp flaxmeal (18g)
1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp vegetable or coconut oil
3/4 cup cocoa powder (65g)
1 cup coconut flour (135g) (You can use any other kind if you don't have this, I use coconut flour so they are gluten free)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 cup sweetener or sugar of choice (150g)
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips, optional

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350F, and line a 9×13 baking dish with parchment paper. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the first 6 ingredients and let sit at least 5 minutes. (Tip: shred courgettes in a food processor for fine shreds.) Combine all other ingredients in a separate bowl, and stir very well. Pour wet into dry, stir until evenly mixed, then pour into the baking dish. Using a full sheet of parchment or wax paper, press down very firmly until the brownie batter evenly covers the pan. Bake 19-20 minutes, then pat down hard with a pancake spatula or another sheet of parchment. Let the brownies sit 15 minutes before trying to cut into squares. (As a general rule if you don't know already, cutting brownies with a plastic knife prevents crumbling)

Healthy chocolate frosting recipe

Ingredients:

2 cups dates, pitted
1 cup boiling water
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch salt

Instructions

Place the dates in the basin of a blender. Pour boiling water over dates and let sit for 10-15 minutes or until the dates are very soft.
Blend water and dates on high until very, very smooth. Add in the cocoa, salt and vanilla and blend until well-mixed.
Chill the frosting until completely cool (about 3 hours) before spreading on brownies.

The not so healthy version - Ingredients

For the brownies:
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 cups shredded courgettes

For the frosting:
6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup milk
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350F and grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
In a large bowl combine the oil, sugar and 2 teaspoons vanilla until well blended.
In a medium bowl combine the flour, 1/2 cup cocoa, baking soda and salt.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring just to combine. Fold in the courgettes and mix well.
Spread into the prepared pan, gently tapping the mixture down.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until brownies spring back when gently touched.

To make the frosting, melt together the 6 tablespoons of cocoa, the butter and the milk in the microwave for about 40-60 seconds. Mix well with a spatula or metal spoon. Allow to cool slightly, then add the vanilla and the confectioners sugar 1/2 cup at a time, mixing well between additions.

Spread the frosting over the brownies once the brownies have cooled. Allow to set for an hour before eating them, (easier said than done!)

[badfalcon]

ooh fantastic, thank you very much :D