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Stack of 3 healthy brownies that are chocolately and fudgy with more brownies next to and behind them.

Healthy Brownies – Gluten-Free


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5 from 1 review

  • Author: Amy Estes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 12 brownies 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

These healthy fudgy brownies have an amazingly decadent chocolate flavor and are wonderfully fudgy. They are made with healthier ingredients than traditional brownies and they are so easy to make!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 4 tablespoons packed light coconut sugar – or light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup applesauce – unsweetened
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour or almond flour
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder – unsweetened
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips – plus more for topping

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F, and line an 8 x 8 baking pan with parchment paper.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine and beat the peanut butter, sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Beat in the applesauce until fully mixed in, then beat in the egg until a smooth mixture forms.
  3. In a separate bowl, fully combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
  4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix to combine into a dark, smooth brownie batter. Finally, fold in the chocolate chips.
  5. Transfer the brownie batter to the lined 8 x 8 baking dish and smooth it out evenly. Top with more chocolate chips if desired.
  6. Bake for 30-35 minutes until the brownies are puffed up and fluffy. If you like fudgier brownies then take them out around the 30-minute mark. For cakier brownies cook them for the full 35 minutes.
  7. Remove, let cool for at least 30 minutes, slice, and serve.

Notes

Baking Time and Storing Recommendations:

  • Use the “toothpick/butterknife test,” insert a toothpick or butter knife into the center of the brownies about 5 minutes before they are supposed to be done (according to whatever recipe you are following) for this recipe it would be around that 35-minute mark.
  • Pull it out quickly and if you have some wet crumbs than you will get a sweet cakey, semi-fudgy brownie.
  • If you want a fudgy, less-cakey brownie then do the toothpick test around the 30 minute mark. If the toothpick comes out with a semi-baked batter on it, then you will get a more fudgy result.
  • To store brownies for up to a week: Pack them in layers with wax paper/parchment in-between each layer in an airtight container. The brownies should stay fresh for a few days or up to a week.

How To Freeze These Brownies:

  • Wrap each brownie individually in plastic wrap.Place the individually wrapped brownies into a freezer-friendly plastic bag and tightly seal it.
  • Label and date the bag and store it in the freezer for up to a month.
    When ready to eat: Remove from the freezer and thaw on the counter or unwrap and place on a safe microwave plate and warm in the microwave in 30-second intervals until fully thawed

How To Make These Brownies Vegan:

Sub the egg with egg replacer or flax egg. If using chocolate chips, then use dairy-free.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Healthy Desserts
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American