Low-sugar chocolate brownies
IT’S Sugar Awareness Week, so I figured this could be an opportunity to put a healthy spin on the brownies my family love and I enjoy baking!
A challenge?
Not really, I have removed the usual Demerara sugar and replaced it with seasonal figs, which the supermarkets are packed with just now.
Ingredients:
100g butter
100g milk chocolate
100g plain (organic) chocolate 4 figs, washed
1 large apple
2 eggs
Three handfuls of mini marshmallows (optional)
1 tsp vanilla extract
90g self raising flour
25g cocoa powder 2 tablespoons of organic cocoa nibs (if liked)
You will need a 9in silicone baking square about 1in deep lined with baking parchment
Method:
Heat the oven to 170°C.
Break up both chocolates and add to a heatproof bowl along with the chopped butter.
Over a bain-marie (pan of simmering water) slowly melt the butter and chocolate, stirring with a wooden spoon until not quite melted, remove from the heat and continue to stir until fully melted.
Peel the apple and grate into the chocolate mix and add the marshmallows, if using.
In another bowl lightly whisk together the eggs.
Finely chop the figs and add to the whisked eggs along with the vanilla extract, add to the chocolate mixture.
Sieve in the flour along with the cocoa powder and fold slowly.
The mixture should look reasonable sloppy, not dry like normal cake mixtures, evenly spread into the baking tin and bake in the centre of the oven.
Meanwhile, finely chop the cocoa nibs and sprinkle onto the brownies during the final 10 minutes of cooking.
Once taken out of the oven, leave the brownies to fully cool down in the baking tray for about an hour, this helps the brownies fully set before turning out for cutting – and devouring!
Chef ’s Note:
Figs are known for their high levels of dietary fibre, but also have high levels of potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and iron.
Apples are also high in dietary fibre and rich in vitamin C.
Lesley is studying a nutrition & health degree at Edge Hill University. She and her husband, Roberto, also own Roberto’s Italian on Ocean Plaza, Southport.
For more of Lesley’s recipes, find her on Twitter: @LYates Nutrition and Roberto’s: Facebook.com/robertossouthport