Healthier Brownies

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

1. 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.)
2. In a bowl place 1 cup of chocolate chips or chopped and measured dark chocolate.
3. Microwave the coconut oil and measure the coconut oil in its melted, hot state.
4. Pour the hot melted coconut oil over the dark chocolate and stir the chocolate until it is completely melted.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Stir in the vanilla, salt, baking soda, and coconut sugar.
8. 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.
9. Stir into the mixture. Stir in the remaining 1/2 cup chocolate chips.
10. 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.
11. Do not over-bake. Slightly under-baking is better and will yield a better taste and texture. (More fudge-like)
12. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.
13. Optional frosting
14. 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.
15. Stir in the Greek yogurt and then whisk in the powdered sugar.
16. Start with 3/4 a cup and add as needed. Note that the frosting thickens up a lot after being refrigerated.
17. Refrigerate the frosting (covered in an airtight container) for at least 30 minutes.
18. Cover the brownies with the frosting.
19. 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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