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Paleo Brownies

paleo-brownies

So what exactly is paleo?  It’s a primal diet including whole foods of wild plants and animals while excluding grains, legumes, dairy, sugar or refined oils.  Though it’s not something I personally practice, I can appreciate its sentiment and have several friends that have encouraged me to explore this lifestyle.  I have to say, I’ve learned a lot and to give thanks, I went into my kitchen to test a paleo brownie recipe that I knew they’d both love and enjoy.

These chocolate brownies are revamped with healthy additions, making them paleo and gluten free.  They have a tender cake-y texture while reconstituted dates impart a rich and almost fudgy body to the batter.  The dates also keep things delicately sweet as does the honey while the option of coconut oil or applesauce keep things supple and moist.  And if you’re wondering, you can’t really taste the dates so much, especially if you submerge them in hot water longer and press them into a pulp.  These are definitely a healthier route to indulging in brownies but even so, I found myself quite enjoying these as just a regular chocolate treat.  They have a depth of chocolate flavor that satisfies and a melt in your mouth texture and the whole thing feels lighter and cleaner.  Yet, they don’t “feel” healthy nor do they taste it but you can feel good about enjoying better-for-you treats like this in moderation and not have the guilt of overindulgence hang over you.

Enjoying these brownies have allowed me to regularly supplement my full-on brownie cravings with these and now when I do have a brownie {I’m looking at you, salted caramel pretzel brownies!} it’s made that much more special.  My friends are just happy that I make and bring these over regularly now.  My paleo friends loved my version of paleo brownies and I know you will too.

http://youtu.be/jPNi90BSMzU

5.0 from 5 reviews

Paleo Brownies
 
Prep time

Cook time

Total time

 

Author:
Serves: 6

Ingredients
  • 2 c chopped dates
  • 2 tb hot water
  • ½ c raw honey
  • 2 ts vanilla extract
  • 1 tb baking powder*
  • ½ tb baking soda
  • 1¼ c unsweetened cocoa
  • ¼ ts sea salt
  • 2 room temperature eggs
  • ½ c coconut oil or unsweetened applesauce
  • Melted dark chocolate {optional}

Instructions
  1. In the first bowl, combine the dates, water, honey, and extract. Set aside for 15- 20 minutes.
  2. In the second bowl, sift together the powder, soda, cocoa, and salt.
  3. In the third bowl, whisk together the eggs and oil/applesauce.
  4. Mix the first bowl of dates with the third bowl.
  5. Slowly mix the second, dry bowl with the wet ingredients, taking care not to over mix.
  6. Pour batter into a lined/greased pan.
  7. Bake at 350 for 19-22 minutes.
  8. Cool completely, cut into squares and drizzle with melted chocolate if desired.

Notes
*DIY paleo baking powder: 1 part baking soda to 2 parts cream of tartar

Here’s to having your chocolate and eating it too…Happy 2014!!

Love,

Your Squishy Monster ^.~

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