Nothing against box mixes (Duncan Hines chewy fudge has a special place in my heart), but homemade brownies from scratch not only tend to taste better but allow you to have complete control over the ingredients list. If you're trying to be mindful of your sugar intake, that's pretty big. But just the phrase "brownies from scratch" sounds like so much work.
Healthy Almond Butter Brownies Made Easy
Here's the thing: Baking from scratch is only as complicated or as easy as you make it. In fact, Kirbie's Cravings creator and 5-Minute Mug Cakes author Jennifer Lee makes them with just three ingredients. (And no, one of them isn't sugar.)
A run-down of what is on the ingredients list for these popular 3-ingredient brownies: overripe bananas, almond butter, and unsweetened cocoa powder. That's it! No flour, no eggs...eaters of all types can enjoy these almond butter brownies. (If someone you're baking for has a nut allergy, just use sunflower seed butter instead.)
Every single ingredient in these healthy brownies is full of nutritional benefits, including helping to prevent or treat chronic inflammation. The unsweetened cocoa powder is high in antioxidants (which directly benefit the heart and brain), the almond butter is a great source of protein, and the bananas are full of fiber and potassium. Cacao, nut butter, and banana are all also linked to supporting a good night's sleep too, making these almond butter brownies the perfect healthy dessert.
Lee points out that since there's no added sugar in these brownies, they aren't *as* sweet as what you'll get from a box. "They do have sweetness, but it is very mild," she says. But if you like extra-chocolatey, rich brownies, you'll love these. You can also customize them by adding other ingredients. Some ideas: walnuts, hazelnuts, dried cranberries, or coconut flakes.
Get the recipe below and head to Lee's site to check out more yummy, nutrient-rich dessert ideas.
Almond Butter Brownies Recipe
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups overripe pureed bananas (about 4 medium bananas)
1/2 cup unsweetened creamy natural almond butter
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8 x 8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. In a food processor or blender, puree the bananas. Add in almond butter and cocoa powder and blend until smooth.
3. Pour batter into the prepared pan. Place into the oven. Bake for about 20 minutes. The brownie batter should have puffed up, the surface should be dry. The batter should no longer be jiggly but should still feel soft and not firm if you press on it. Let brownies cool completely before cutting and eating.
As if the fact that these 3-ingredient grain-free and plant-based brownies are incredibly easy to make isn’t enough of a reason to add them to your repertoire, surely the fact that they’re a paleo-friendly and vegan-friendly dessert option will do the trick.
Want more simple dessert ideas? Try these…
- High-Protein Dessert Recipes That Are Easy To Make
- Surprisingly Simple Gluten-Free Brownie Trifle
- 10 Anti-Inflammatory Dessert Recipes That Are Low in Sugar
Get more healthy recipe ideas—and share your own favorites—in Well+Good's Cook With Us Facebook group.
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