Fudgy Brownies

Try as I might, I just can't make "healthy" brownies.  But, in an attempt to use better ingredients, I cut back on the oil and used apple sauce, whole wheat pastry flour, and evaporated cane juice sugar.  All still processed, don't get me wrong.  These brownies are very rich and moist, so they don't need frosting.  Be careful!  If you eat more than one at a time, you may go into a sugar coma.  Who says you need milk and eggs to make crazy good brownies?

Fudgy Goodness

 Ingredients:
1 cup organic, unbleached flour
1 cup organic whole wheat pastry flour
1 cup organic evaporated cane juice sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (I used Ghirardelli)
1 cup water or coffee
1/2 cup safflower or canola oil
1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce/or 1 mashed banana
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. almond extract (optional)
vegan chocolate chips (optional)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350F.  In a mixing bowl, whisk together the oil and sugar.  Add the other wet ingredients and mix.  In a second bowl, sift all the dry ingredients together.    Combine the mixtures and stir well.   Spray or oil a 13x9 pan.  Bake 25-30 minutes.  Allow to cool 20 minutes before serving.  

Banana Oatmeal Chip Cookies w/ Flax

These little gems are a cross between a cookie, muffin and scone.  They are packed with nutrients, fiber and protein~a perfect energy snack!  I used whole wheat flour, but you could use spelt or any non-wheat flour.  I like to eat two for breakfast with my tea or coffee.   They contain ground flax seeds.  I like to include ground flax seeds in my diet as much as possible~in baking recipes, on top of my cereal or oatmeal, in a smoothie and in pasta dishes.  Flax is full of fiber, omega-3 fatty acids and phytochemicals called lignans.   Lignans may help prevent Type 2 diabetes, reduce peri-menopausal symptoms, and prevent breast cancer.  Flax seeds are very low in carbohydrates and help lower blood cholesterol.  Ground flax seeds are more easily digested compared to the whole seed.  If you don't have any in your pantry, pick some up at the supermarket as soon as possible!   This recipe is adapted from Oh She Glows.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup organic whole wheat pastry flour (or spelt, or soy flour)

1 cup rolled oats

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt, optional

1 Tbsp ground flax seed

1/4 cup organic soy milk

1/4 cup pure maple syrup (or other liquid sweetener)

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 Tbsp expeller pressed canola oil

1/2 banana

1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/4 cup chopped walnuts

1/4 tsp. salt (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F and line a baking sheet with parchment or a non-stick mat.

2. In a large bowl, mix together the dry ingredients.  Next, add in the liquid ingredients and stir well.

3. In a small bowl, mash the banana. Stir in the mashed banana, chocolate chips, and walnuts into cookie mixture.

4. Spoon onto prepared baking sheet, leaving 2 inches apart.  Bake 12-15 minutes.  Cool on rack for 10 minutes before serving.  Makes 1 dozen.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

I was sitting around craving something sweet and chocolate and decided to search the Internet for a cookie or brownie recipe that I could make with ingredients I already had on hand.  My kids rolled their eyes and walked away. O ye of little faith!  I found several vegan recipes for chocolate peanut butter cookies, but they all had something I wasn't happy with (white flour, refined sugar).  So I tweaked around and came up with these yummy cookies that are almost brownie-like.  Thick, rich, sweet and satisfying.  Enjoy!

Add chocolate chips for an even richer cookie!

 Ingredients:
1 cup evaporated cane juice sugar (slightly less processed than white sugar, and can be found in baking aisle)
1 banana, ripe and mashed
2 Tablespoons Organic Canola or Safflower oil
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 to 1/2 cup natural peanut butter (not Jiff! full of trans fats)
2/3 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Sprinkles for decoration, optional
You could also stir in a cup of vegan chocolate chips

Directions:
1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Mash the banana and mix it with the oil, vanilla and peanut butter until smooth.  In a separate bowl, mix together dry ingredients. Sift well.  Combine all the ingredients until it forms a thick ball, like play-doh.  You may have to mix with your hands to get it all incorporated. Fun!

3. Roll into 1 1/2 inch balls, flatten slightly.  If adding sprinkles: pour sprinkles into a small bowl, dunk flatten cookies into sprinkles.

4. Place on baking sheet or stone and bake for 8-12 minutes depending on your oven.  Let rest 5 minutes before removing from baking sheet.  Cool.  Eat.  Makes about 18 cookies.