Healthier Brownies - Food Today
I could have called these Healthier “Date” Brownies but then like 99% of you wouldn’t be wanting to try them , right? So instead if we leave out the “date” and just think of them as a healthier brownie that tastes amazing and don’t focus on the dates in them , then aren’t we all in :)?
I recently bought a date-sweetened brownie at the store and loved it so I decided to do a homemade version. Surprisingly enough , you don’t really taste the dates and you don’t notice that these are healthy homemade brownies. They’re still super fudgy , amazingly chocolatey , so rich , and they have a perfect texture.
These will be your new January best friend. Because January is all about those resolutions that are so hard to keep , but these decadent healthy brownies make it that much easier!
The fact that they also happen to be gluten free , grain free , dairy free , refined sugar free and paleo makes them even more awesome. Because while these brownies might be healthy , they’re also delicious and supercharged with intense chocolate flavour.
And super fudgy. Have I mentioned that yet? Regardless , it bears repeating. I mean , just look at them!!!
I know many of you have made New Year’s resolutions to make this year the one where you start exercising , eating healthy and generally being your best self. That’s a lot of change all at once , and if there’s one thing that can help you on this journey , it’s these healthy brownies.
Note that I cut these fudge brownies into 9 servings here , but I thought 12 was more fitting and next time I’ll cut them into 12. The calories listed are based off of my package labels and 12 servings (including chocolate chips , but without chocolate sauce).
They aren’t really intended to be a low-calorie dessert , but rather a smarter choice made with healthier ingredients versus that of your traditional brownie.
And believe it or not , my family actually loved these brownies. That’s proof that these are so good because my husband and kids… and , who are we kidding , I MYSELF , can be picky and we all approved.
You just can’t go wrong with a healthier chocolate treat! Hope you love them!
Ingredients
Brownies:
- 1 and 1/2 cups dark chocolate chips separated , I use 53% cacao
- 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons coconut oil LouAna brand recommended
- 1 cup vanilla Greek yogurt*
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar brown sugar can be substituted
- 3/4 cup oat flour just blend regular oats in your blender
Optional Frosting:
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened vanilla almond milk or whatever milk you have on hand
- 2 tablespoons vanilla Greek yogurt
- 3/4- 1 & 1/4 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8 x 8 pan with foil or parchment paper and then spray with nonstick spray (I use a coconut oil based spray that I love.)
- In a bowl place 1 cup of chocolate chips or chopped and measured dark chocolate.
- Microwave the coconut oil and measure the coconut oil in its melted , hot state.
- Pour the hot melted coconut oil over the dark chocolate and stir the chocolate until it is completely melted.
- For best results I suggest using LouAna coconut oil as I've found other coconut oils vary in their baked taste and sometimes result in a bitter-tasting baked good.
- Add in the Greek yogurt. Make sure the Greek yogurt is quite thick (check the notes) and not watery. If needed drab it with a paper towel after stirring and measuring it.
- Stir in the vanilla , salt , baking soda , and coconut sugar.
- In a blender or food processor put in quick oats or old fashioned oats. Blend or process until the oats resemble flour. Measure the oat flour after blending and not before.
- Stir into the mixture. Stir in the remaining 1/2 cup chocolate chips.
- Spread the mixture (it is very thick) into the prepared 8 x 8 pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 28-32 minutes or until a fork comes out clean when inserted.
- Do not over-bake. Slightly under-baking is better and will yield a better taste and texture. (More fudge-like)
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.
- Optional frosting
- In a microwave safe bowl combine the chocolate chips and milk. Microwave in bursts of 15 seconds , stirring for 15 seconds in between each burst until the chocolate is completely melted.
- Stir in the Greek yogurt and then whisk in the powdered sugar.
- Start with 3/4 a cup and add as needed. Note that the frosting thickens up a lot after being refrigerated.
- Refrigerate the frosting (covered in an airtight container) for at least 30 minutes.
- Cover the brownies with the frosting.
- Remove the brownies using the overhang of the parchment paper or foil. Cut into pieces and enjoy.
Storing Notes:
- These are great warm but they are OUT OF THE WORLD good after being refrigerated overnight or for 6-8 hours (and eaten cold.) I never thought I would say a brownie is good cold but it tastes like brownie fudge after being chilled all night! 🙂 So when I make these now , I automatically just chill them overnight because that's the way we like them the best.
- However , they are also super good warmed up in the microwave for a few seconds before enjoying! Just be careful warming these as the frosting melts.
- Store brownies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Frosting doesn't freeze well , but the brownies do freeze well by being individually wrapped.
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