Dante Carrillo
Brownies are a delicious treat, but they are often associated with high-calorie, high-fat, and high-sugar content. However, it is possible to make diet brownies that are just as tasty as their traditional counterparts. These brownies can be made to suit a range of dietary requirements, such as gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan, and can be made with healthier ingredients like almond flour, olive oil, and natural sweeteners like maple syrup. This paragraph will explore the world of diet brownies, providing an introduction to the topic and highlighting some of the key considerations for making these indulgent treats a little healthier.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Almond flour, cocoa powder, olive oil, coconut oil, coconut sugar, chocolate chips, tahini, maple syrup, eggs, vanilla extract, baking powder, salt |
| Dietary Requirements | Gluten-free, dairy-free, grain-free, vegan, vegetarian |
| Texture | Fudgy, gooey, chewy, moist, cakey |
| Taste | Chocolatey, nutty, salty, sweet |
| Baking Method | Oven-baked, no-bake |
| Baking Time | 24-26 minutes |
| Storage | Airtight container, room temperature, refrigerator, freezer |
| Nutrition | Protein, fiber, sugar, fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, potassium |
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What You'll Learn
Using almond flour and olive oil
Firstly, preheat your oven to 350° Fahrenheit and line an 8x8-inch pan with parchment paper. You can spray the pan with oil first to help the paper stick.
In a large bowl, beat together the sugar and eggs with either a hand or stand mixer. Continue beating for 3-5 minutes, until the mixture is super light and fluffy. This will give your brownies that classic crisp, crackly top. You can use a vegan egg substitute if you prefer.
Now add the almond flour, cocoa powder, and a pinch of salt. You can also add baking soda and vanilla extract. Stir until everything is just combined, being careful not to over-mix. If you want to add walnuts, pecans, or other nuts, you can stir them in now.
In a separate small bowl, add the olive oil and chocolate chips. You can also add some water to the bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until the chocolate chips are fully melted. You can also melt the chocolate chips by stirring them directly into the wet mixture.
Pour the melted chocolate chips and olive oil into the brownie batter, and stir to combine. Then, fold in any remaining chocolate chips.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 22-35 minutes, or until the centre is just barely set. The centre should still be slightly soft when the brownies come out of the oven. If you want a fudgier brownie, you can under-bake them.
Let the brownies cool completely before slicing and serving. They will be less delicate when they are fully cooled, but will still crumble slightly. You can also refrigerate them for an hour before slicing and serving.
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Gluten, grain and dairy-free
If you're looking for a delicious treat that's gluten, grain and dairy-free, then brownies could be your new go-to bake. With a few simple substitutions, you can create indulgent, fudgy brownies that are safe for those with gluten or dairy sensitivities.
To make your brownies gluten-free, you'll need to choose the right flour. Almond flour is a popular choice for gluten-free bakes, and it works particularly well in brownies, giving them a crumbly texture. You can also use gluten-free all-purpose flour, but be aware that not all blends are created equal, and your baking results may vary. Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1 gluten-free baking flour is a reliable option. If you're using a blend that doesn't contain xanthan gum, you may want to add some, as this helps with the texture of your bake.
To make your brownies dairy-free, you can substitute butter with a dairy-free alternative like Smart Balance Butter, avocado oil, or coconut oil. You'll also want to check that your chocolate is dairy-free—look for dairy-free chocolate chips or baking bars, and avoid hot chocolate mixes, which often contain milk powder.
Here's a basic recipe for gluten, grain and dairy-free brownies:
Preheat your oven to 350º F. Grease an 8x8-inch square baking pan with coconut oil or a non-stick cooking spray, then line it with parchment paper. In a large bowl, whisk together sugar and eggs for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light and streams down in ribbons when you lift the whisk. Set this aside. In a separate bowl, gently melt chocolate and your chosen oil or butter over low heat until smooth, then set aside to cool. Create a well in the middle of your dry ingredients and add in the eggs, chocolate mixture, and vanilla extract. Mix until combined, then gently fold in your chocolate chips. Pour the batter into your prepared baking pan and bake for about 45 minutes.
You can customise your brownies with a variety of mix-ins, such as chocolate chunks, nuts, white chocolate chips, or even espresso powder for a coffee kick.
Once your brownies are baked, let them cool completely before serving. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Enjoy your homemade, gluten, grain and dairy-free brownies!
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Natural sweeteners or sugar substitutes
Stevia
Stevia is a natural, no-calorie sweetener derived from the leaves of the Stevia plant, native to South America. It has a stronger flavour than regular sugar and a distinctive sweet bitterness with a grassy and licorice aftertaste. To avoid this aftertaste, Stevia can be combined with other sweeteners such as dark moscavado sugar and dates.
Xylitol
Xylitol is a natural product that can be used as a like-for-like substitute for sugar. It has a slightly metallic taste that can be challenging to mask and is quite expensive.
Sucanat
Sucanat, or Sugar Cane Natural, is made by crushing freshly cut sugar cane to extract its juice, heating it into a thick syrup, and then "hand-paddling" it to create granules. It is a great substitute for white, over-processed sugar in recipes, but its light brown colour may affect the appearance of light-coloured sweets.
Rapadura Sugar
Rapadura sugar is very similar to Sucanat in terms of creation and appearance, as it is also derived from dehydrated sugar cane juice. It can be used as a substitute for sugar or brown sugar in recipes.
Unsweetened Applesauce
Unsweetened applesauce can be used as a natural sweetener in brownies and other desserts, as well as a replacement for fats in muffin, cake, and bread recipes.
Other Natural Sweeteners
Other natural sweeteners that can be used in brownies include honey, agave nectar, and root vegetables such as beetroot and carrot.
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Vegan options
There are several ways to make vegan brownies, and many recipes to follow. Here is a guide to making delicious, fudgy, gooey, and chocolatey vegan brownies.
Firstly, you will need to decide on your ingredients. It is important to use good-quality vegan butter, preferably from a stick, as it contains less added water, which will improve the texture of your brownies. You can also use vegan margarine. You will also need vanilla extract, all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. For the cocoa powder, use unsweetened and natural, or Dutch-processed cocoa. You can also add in some vegan chocolate chips, or a chopped-up vegan chocolate bar.
Next, you will need to decide on an egg substitute. Flax eggs work well and are made by stirring ground flax and water together in a small bowl and setting it aside to thicken. You can also use aquafaba, the liquid from a can of chickpeas, which can be whipped with sugar to create a shiny, crinkle top on your brownies.
Now, you are ready to start making your brownies. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C or 180°C). Line a square pan with parchment paper. Melt your chocolate and butter/margarine together. In a separate bowl, whisk together your egg substitute with the sugar. Add in the melted chocolate and butter, and mix well. Finally, gently fold in your flour, cocoa powder, and salt. You can also add in a handful of chocolate chips or chopped chocolate for extra indulgence.
Transfer your batter to the lined pan and bake. Once cooked, allow to cool for at least 15 minutes in the pan before removing and slicing.
Your vegan brownies are now ready to enjoy!
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Tahini, maple syrup and cocoa powder
Tahini brownies are a delicious, healthy treat that is surprisingly easy to make. They are a great alternative to traditional brownies and are perfect for those who are gluten-free, grain-free, or nut-free. The tahini adds a nutty depth that pairs wonderfully with chocolate, and it also keeps the brownies fudgy and nut-free.
To make diet brownies with tahini, maple syrup, and cocoa powder, start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or foil and set it aside. In a small bowl, combine dry ingredients such as almond flour or coconut flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and a pinch of salt. In a separate, larger bowl, whisk together wet ingredients: two eggs, a cup of tahini, 1/2 a cup of maple syrup, and a teaspoon of vanilla extract. You can also add a small amount of coconut sugar or sweetener of your choice to enhance the sweetness.
Once the wet ingredients are well combined and smooth, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring continuously until you have a smooth batter. You can also add a small amount of chocolate chips to the batter for an extra indulgent treat. Pour the batter into your prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly.
Bake your brownies for around 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the brownies to cool completely before slicing and serving. Enjoy!
You can also get creative with this recipe by adding a swirl of tahini on top of the baked brownies or even a drizzle of melted chocolate. These brownies are a great healthier alternative to traditional brownies and can be stored at room temperature for a day or two or frozen for up to six months.
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Frequently asked questions
You can make brownies healthier by using almond flour, olive oil, and cocoa powder. You can also use maple syrup as a natural sweetener.
Natural sweeteners or sugar substitutes can be used to make brownies healthier. Maple syrup is a popular choice, as is honey.
You can add protein powder to your brownies to make them more filling and higher in protein.
Fat replacements such as Greek yogurt tend to make brownies rubbery.
You can substitute eggs for flax eggs or aquafaba to make vegan brownies.
