Recipes

Heavenly, Healthy Brownies Two Ways

Raw, whole ingredients and flour alternatives take these brownies up a few notches on the health scale without losing a single morsel of decadence

By Breast Friends /

Credit: Courtesy Breast Friends

These decadent saucepan brownies are full of healthy goodness, meaning you can have more than one

There’s no need to give up treats when you have healthy options like these brownies

Black Bean Brownies

Ingredients

  • 16 ounce can black beans, rinsed or 2 cups cooked black beans
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 4 large organic eggs
  • 3 tablespoons spelt or whole wheat flour
  • 1/2 cup unpasteurized honey or maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup unrefined unrefined/raw sugar
  • 1 tablespoon organic butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 3 teaspoons baking powder

Instructions

  1. In a food processor, place beans, cocoa and cinnamon. Blend until puréed. 
  2. Add remainder of ingredients whole and then process. 
  3. Pour into 8 x 8 (thicker) or 9 x 13 (thinner) greased pan. Bake at 375 F for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 325 F for 15 minutes or until firm to touch.

Add or Subtract: This is a great example of getting healthy ingredients into treats! Try reducing the sugar slightly and adding chopped dates for an especially moist and decadent dessert. Add walnuts or other nut for added protein and essential fats.

Saucepan Brownies

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup organic butter
  • 2 squares unsweetened chocolate
  • 1 cup unrefined (raw) sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 organic eggs
  • ¾ cup spelt or whole wheat flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon unrefined salt
  • 2/3 cup walnuts, chopped

Instructions

  1. Melt butter and chocolate in medium saucepan over low heat stirring constantly, cool.
  2. Blend in sugar and vanilla; add eggs one at a time beating well after each.
  3. Mix flour, salt and walnuts together, add to chocolate mixture. Beat well.
  4. Pour into a greased 9 x 13 inch pan. Bake at 350º F. for 35-40 minutes.
  5. Cut into squares while still warm.

For this book’s healthy recipes, Breast Friends teamed up with InspireHealth, a not-for-profit organization and leader in integrative cancer care, with three centres in BC and an online program. InspireHealth promotes healthy lifestyle including nutrition, exercise, support groups and stress management while supporting standard cancer treatments.