Monday 20 January 2014

Avocado Brownies, or are they...?

So here's the thing, I happen to have an obsession with brownies, an unhealthy obsession to them if I'm honest. Whenever I spot them in a cafe it's almost impossible to not have one and I've baked so many different variations - let's see there was the scrumptious plain chocolate ones, raspberry and biscuit ones, some featuring butternut squash, ones with mint and then there were the Oreo ones and the marshmallow ones, basically anytime I see an interesting recipe for brownies I have to give them a whirl. This obsession is not always great because of course gooey, chocolate brownies are not altogether good for you now are they? Plus how can anyone have just one homemade brownie? It's basically an impossibility, well for me anyway. If you can do, then yay to you. I would be jealous but you know I'm too busy eating my fourth brownie of the day!

Anyway recently I discovered a recipe on the wondrous Pinterest for brownies that were healthy and only 27 calories a pop! Amazing right? I mean imagine the guilt free brownie scoffing that could ensue at just 27 calories a brownie?!?! It's my ultimate dream! What makes them healthy I hear you say? Well you replace the butter and sugar with other ingredients, namely yogurt, Stevia and avocado. Yes avocado - don't worry you don't get the flavour of the avocado it's purely for texture. Let's be honest that would be a bit weird wouldn't it? Needless to say I had to make them straightaway (or at least once I found all the ingredients, Stevia is not that easy to find FYI). My only issue with these brownies? Well there not really brownies. They're more cakey than that and quite solid - there's none of the gooey middle you get (and want) in a brownie in these. Don't get me wrong they are nice, once heated in the microwave and covered in custard, but they're not really brownies - at least not in my book. You should definitely make them, but treat them like a healthy cake and you'll be much happier!

So here's the recipe, which of course you can find over on the awesome blog Undressed Skeleton, which is chocked full of awesome looking food! 

1 avocado - 3 eggs - 1 cup wholemeal flour - 1/2 cup cocoa powder - 1/3 cup hot water - 1 tbsp vanilla extract - 6oz fat free vanilla yogurt - 5 packets of Stevia - 3 tbsp dark chocolate chips - 3 tbsp agave nectar

Beat the avocado, eggs and yogurt until there are no avocado lumps, next add the vanilla extract and Stevia and beat until fully combined.

In a different bowl combine the water and cocoa together to form a paste (I needed to add a bit more water to get the right consistency). Then add to the avocado mixture and mix well.

Finally add the flour and combine again before pouring into the pre-greased brownie tray

Sprinkle with chocolate chips and cook on 180 degrees for 20 minutes.

If you make them I'd love to hear your thoughts, I'm intrigued to know how you ate them and if you'd class them as a brownie or not...


2 comments:

  1. hmm, I dunno about this! I don't want to waste my avocado in something I can't taste it haha. I make healthy brownie bite balls that kick the craving.

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    1. Yes I think it was a bit of a waste to be honest, but worth a try. Your healthy brownie bites sound genius, you must share the recipe! x

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