These healthy brownies use quinoa flour, coconut oil and coconut sugar for a melt-in-your-mouth piece of chocolate Heaven.
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These brownies are made without any wheat flour, butter, or granulated sugar, and were made for a Halloween treat. They're supposed to be little caskets, with a little "dirt" made from ground chocolate nibs and coconut sugar. It's all covered with a strawberry syrup made from strawberry jam.
They were an experiment that totally worked, although it took a few tries to get these chocolate brownies completely dialed in. Instead of tasting like the graveyard dirt – the possibility of which I was a little haunted by, neither texture nor flavor are sacrificed. In fact, these brownies were amazing.
Big, huge sigh of relief.
Healthy Swaps
Quinoa Flour
One of the great things about quinoa flour is that it doesn’t require anything extra for it to hold together nicely in a baked product. It has essentially the same texture as wheat flour (perhaps a little grittier), and has a nutty flavor.
Some describe the taste as a little soapy, so I strongly recommend using it in recipes with a strong counterbalancing flavor like chocolate for your first trial bake to ease the way. Like this brownie.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil can be swapped for butter in most any baked food on a 1:1 basis. This is my new go-to cooking and baking oil thanks to this fabulous healthy peanut butter - chocolate fudge that needs only 5 ingredients. It does contribute a coconut flavor to any baked product, unlike coconut milk, which does not.
Coconut Sugar
Brownies typically have a combination of sugar and brown sugar, but I’m trying to cut back on my processed sugar intake by at least half. I sifted through the usual alternatives. Agave nectar, honey and artificial sugars. I settled on coconut sugar, because it has a faint brown sugar flavor.
More Chocolate Treats
Peanut Butter Chocolate Kiss Cookies
Chocolate Coconut Creamy Truffles with Strawberry Jam
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Healthy Chocolate Brownies
Ingredients
Brownies
- 3.375 ounces quinoa flour (¾ cup)
- 1 teaspoon powdered instant coffee
- ¼ cup unsweetened chocolate powder
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- 4 ounces coconut oil
- 5 ounces unsweetened bar chocolate cut into small pieces (I used Sharffenberger)
- 1 ¾ cup coconut sugar
- 3 extra large eggs
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon cardamom powder
Brownie Sprinkle (Optional)
- 1 tablespoon cocoa nibs
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons coconut sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a 8" X 8" baking pan with foil.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the quinoa flour, instant coffee, unsweetened chocolate powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt the coconut oil and the unsweetened chocolate together, stirring with a whisk to mix. Remove from the heat periodically so that the chocolate doesn't get too hot. Pour into the bowl of a standing mixer, add the coconut sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and cardamom. Mix on high for 3 minutes.
- Fold the dry ingredients in just until they are completely mixed in.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth with a spatula.
- Combine the three Brownie Sprinkle ingredients in a spice grinder and whirl it around a few times. Sprinkle the mixture on top across the top of the brownies.
- Bake for 30 minutes. If you test the center with a toothpick, it will have a mixture of batter and crumbs on it. Remove from the oven and keep the brownies in the baking pan for 10 minutes.
- Pull the brownies out of the baking pan by the edges of the foil, and carefully peel the foil away from the brownies. Allow to cool for 15 minutes and slice into individual pieces.
CCU
Gaaaaah blood coming out of a graveyard! Oh wait no... its just something super delicious 😉
Cheers
CCU
The Wimpy Vegetarian
LOL!
Renee
I'm going to have to try baking with coconut oil. My cholesterol has been creeping up. I usually cook with olive oil and so I need to try something different for baking.
The Wimpy Vegetarian
I used to use more olive oil, then butter started to creep in - especially once I went to culinary school. I absolutely have to get back to using it sparingly. When I do a butter substitution for butter, I do a 1:1 ratio. Good luck!
apuginthekitchen
I just bought some coconut oil, want to start incorporating that into my baked goods, and really love the coconut palm sugar instead of granulated. On the fence about quinoa flour, I think I will have to give it try, the brownies look wonderful and I dislike using the gums to hold gluten free baked goods together Really spooky looking with the strawberry puree and white chocolate headstones. Perfect healthful Halloween treat.
The Wimpy Vegetarian
I'm not the crafty type at all, but wanted to do something simple for a Halloween theme. I don't use quinoa flour for everything by a long shot, but it's perfect for something like this where the chocolate flavor dominates. Baby steps 🙂
Jen @JuanitasCocina
These look amazing! Love the headstone! LOL!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Well I'm not really the crafty sort, but this was an easy way to play with all you guys this week. And it's really about the brownies 🙂
Megan @ I Run For Wine
SO CUTE! I also love that you used coconut oil & quinoa flour in this recipe. Thank you for sharing.
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Thanks! I'm trying hard to migrate to some healthier choices without sacrificing flavor. The problem is, this is a tough time of year to do this 🙂
Angie @ Big Bear's Wife
I've never seen quinoa flour before (I just recently started using quinoa)but I can't wait to try these
The Wimpy Vegetarian
I get Bob's Red Mill Quinoa Flour, which I can find pretty easily at Whole Foods. Alternatively you can grind your own with the blonde colored quinoa and a spice grinder. Have fun with them!
sunithi
Nice ! Love the white chocolate RIP ! Simple and creative 🙂 If am not mistaken, these are gluten free too right ? If they are would love to hook them up to my GF cafe. My clients are always looking for good GF recipes and brownies made with Quinoa would be fab !!!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
These are completely GF! I'd love to hook them up to your GF cafe. Just let me know how, and I'll do it!!
Paula @ Vintage Kitchen
These brownies are fantastic! I´m always happy to use quinoa flour. Wonderful treat!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Thanks Paula! It's still a little new to me, but I've really like the experience so far. Especially with these brownies 🙂
Heather @girlichef
Oh my gosh, I am a sucker for brownies in absolutely ANY form - and these do sound wonderful. Nobody has to know they're actually kinda healthy 😉 And love the spooked-up Halloween version! 😀
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Thanks Heather - I absolutely love your Shrunken Heads in Spiced Cider. Sooo cool.
Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen
Super cute! I am loving this weeks theme!!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Thanks! So am I - I've gotten so many great ideas for Halloween treats now 🙂
Lyn @LovelyPantry
Excellent ingredients, Susan! You know how much I love Quinoa anything 🙂 I too have been using coconut oil as a substitute for butter. So far, so good! Coconut sugar is awesome too!!! I like how you bake, Susan!!! LOL!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
YES, Lyn! I loved how your quinoa brownies looked on your guest post for Badger Girl. I'm sure that's what gave me the idea of using quinoa flour in place of wheat. Thanks for the inspiration!!
Katie
Love the presentation of your brownies - the headstone and the pool of syrup are perfect!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Not as scary as your Meat Head though. That was genius!!
Tara
Those look great and I bet they taste divine. I love chocolate and berries together.
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Or chocolate with just about anything .... :-). Your Witch's Fingers are GREAT!
claire @ the realistic nutritionist
What an amazing idea!!! So cute.
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Thanks! It's about as healthy a brownie as I could figure out 🙂 The rest was fun play.
veronica gantley
You had me at brownie.
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Yeah, there's something about brownies, isn't there? But I love your Eggs in Purgatory dish 🙂
Martin D. Redmond
Love this recipe! I must try it! Where can I purchase coconut palm sugar?
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Thanks, Martin! I get mine at Whole Foods! Any healthy market should carry it.
Sarah Reid, RHNC (@jo_jo_ba)
Berries and brownies?? YES please!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
A natural combo, yes? And healthy, I hope 🙂
mjskit
Cute, Clever and delicious I'm sure! 🙂
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Thanks so much MJ!!
Karen Hartzell (@InTheKitchenKP)
Mmmmm...chocolate and strawberry...one of my favorite combos! YUM!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Thanks Karen!! I just loved your Mummy Cheesedogs too!
Bea
Yay, milk free brownies - they look delicious and my brownie loving girls would love them. BTW - our entire kitchen is dairyfree and I have been substituting Earth Balance {vegan "butter"} for "cow". The results are fantastic and there is coconut flavor to it 🙂
Laura Hunter
Healthier brownies, yes please!
Bevi
Hahahahaha! So cute!
Hannah
Love this Halloween treat! I have been baking more with coconut oil and just picked up quinoa flour (and also millet) to experiment with some gluten-free baking for the holidays. Thanks for sharing your spooky brownies - I can't wait to make them!
Jennie @themessybakerblog
Oh my gosh, these are so cute. The brownies look so moist and fudgy. Happy Halloween!
Parsley Sage
Nothing wimpy about these bad boys! These are pretty guiltless too! My kind of brownie 🙂
Susan
A pool of blood was my first thought too!
Love, love, love that these are Gluten Free. I've never used coconut oil for cooking. I bought some for cooking and to use on my hair but it goes hard and you have to dig it out to use it. Do you warm yours first before scooping it out for cooking?
Looking forward to trying these brownies. Yum!
Cindys Recipes
The flavors together sound awesome! I love the headstone too!
Carla
Love the idea of this dessert! Not something I've seen before.
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom
OMG, I love these! And I LOVE the healthier option!!!! Fantastic! I have never baked with quinoa flour but you have convinced me to try it!
Liz
These are fantastic!!! What a cute idea and totally doable 🙂
Sarah
I love all the healty swaps you made. I do not have coconut oil and coconut palm sugar but I love the sound of coconut flavor in a brownie. I think it would be fantastic!
Brandie (@ Home Cooking Memories)
I've been getting started using coconut oil, but still haven't been sure what I could use it in for baking. Maybe it's good for most everything? You've inspired me to use it in our brownies the next time I make them.
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes and Desserts
I need to find quinoa flour. I don't do nearly enough substitutions for wheat flour as I should.
Kim Bee
Healthy, creepy and yummy, you are brilliant.