The cold holiday season is the time when we all want something warm and sweet to get us in that holiday spirit. Pumpkin pie seems to be the popular and traditional dessert dish of the holidays. Hot chocolate is also a crowd favorite around the holidays to ensure a toasty season. However, it’s always fun to add something new to the menu.
Brownies are an excellent choice if you are looking for something warm that’ll just melt in your mouth. Just because brownies are a dessert, does not mean that they can’t be healthy. You can incorporate almost anything into your brownies from M&M’s, Snickers and marshmallows to nuts, pumpkin and Greek yogurt. The list goes on and on. There are so many delicious brownie combinations to choose from, so we’ll be looking specifically at a few savory brownie recipes that are healthy and suitable for expecting moms.
Healthy Brownie Recipes
Instead of using all-purpose flour, this brownie recipe calls for coconut flour, which contains a variety of health benefits. Coconut flour is not only a great alternative, but it contains more protein due to less processing in comparison to other flours, which is great if you need an additional source of protein. Coconut flour contains plenty of fiber, so you’ll feel full much sooner. The lauric acid content in this flour ensures healthy skin, and the list of health benefits goes on.
Ingredients:
- 3 large eggs
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 50g coconut flour
- 1/2 cup and 2 tbsp agave nectar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup gluten-free mini chocolate chips
- 1/3 cup raw walnuts (diced)
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
Instructions:
1. Heat oven to 300 F. Spray cooking spray in the baking pan.
2. Melt coconut oil in a glass bowl. Mix coconut oil, cocoa powder and eggs until combined. Add in agave and vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly.
3. Add in nuts and chocolate chips.
4. Bake for about 30 minutes.
You won’t be carving this pumpkin. Instead, you’ll be adding this wonderful veggie into your new brownie recipe. Pumpkin is low in calories and high in fiber. Its richness of vitamin A and antioxidants is beneficial for immunity and heart health.
Ingredients:
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup canned pumpkin
- 4 cup honey
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
Instructions:
1. Heat oven to 350 F. Coat a baking pan with olive oil.
2. Mix pumpkin, cocoa powder, honey and eggs in a bowl.
3. Mix in chocolate chips and pour mixture into the baking pan.
4. Bake for about 30 to 35 minutes.
Quinoa is a seed containing plenty of fiber and proteins. You’ll usually find quinoa in salads, but these seeds could be combined into any dish. Quinoa seeds contain a plant compound called quercetin, which acts as an anti-inflammatory, pain reducer, immunity booster and more. These brownies are gluten-free. Plus, you won’t have to eat a lot to feel full. Here’s the recipe.
Ingredients:
• 3/4 cup all-purpose gluten-free flour blend
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 1/2 cups cooked quinoa
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3 large eggs
• 3/4 cup coconut palm sugar
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 cup plain low-fat yogurt
• 1/4 cup melted coconut oil
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 6 oz dark chocolate (diced)
• 3/4 cup walnuts (diced)
Instructions:
1. Heat oven to 350 F. Prepare baking pan by lining it with parchment paper.
2. Place chocolate and butter in a metal bowl and melt over boiling water.
3. Blend quinoa and flour in a blender. Add cocoa powder, baking soda and salt, then mix.
4. In a glass bowl, mix eggs, maple syrup and coconut palm sugar. Then add coconut oil, melted chocolate, yogurt and vanilla extract . Mix thoroughly.
5. Add the wet ingredients to the quinoa mixture and stir. Add walnuts and stir.
6. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes.
Avocados are low in calories and high in healthy fatty acids. This recipe also includes almonds, which are high in protein. The avocados help give the brownies a moist, soft texture.
Ingredients:
• 1 cup sugar
• 4 eggs
• 200g chocolate chips
• 2 avocados
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1 cup ground almonds
Instructions:
1. Heat oven to 350 F and coat pan with cooking spray.
2. Melt the chocolate over simmering water. Let it cool by placing it in the fridge.
3. Mash the avocados and mix with sugar. Add vanilla and eggs. Mix.
4. Slowly add cooled chocolate to the avocado mixture and mix in the cocoa powder, ground almonds and salt.
5. Bake for 30 minutes.
These brownies are packed with nutrition, containing much of the essential vitamins necessary for a healthy pregnancy. Dates contain a rich amount of niacin, folic acid and pantothenic acid. The bananas provide potassium and fiber to aid healthy digestion and help treat swelling.
Ingredients:
• 300g of cooked green lentils
• 125g dried dates
• 100g dark chocolate (grated)
• 1/2 banana (mashed)
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tbsp honey
• 175g peanut butter
• 1/2 cup frozen raspberries
Instructions:
1. Heat oven to 350 F. Grease pan with coconut oil.
2. Chop dates and soak them in boiling water.
3. Puree lentils in blender.
4. Blend dates, mashed banana and peanut butter. Add water and blend more if the mixture isn’t smooth.
5. Add and mix chocolate, honey and baking soda.
6. Chop raspberries and pour on top of mixture in pan.
7. Bake for about 30 minutes.
You can still binge on sweets during the holiday season whether you are expecting or not. The brownie recipes above will make you feel warm and full while ensuring you get the added health benefits. Enjoy the recipes listed and feel free to modify a few of the ingredients to your liking.
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Guest author: Laurel Otey The holiday season is upon us, which means time spent with loved…
