March 02nd, 2019

​Hi folks,

It’s ages since I posted you a recipe (in fact, it's years!), so I thought it was time to share something yummy, and relatively healthy too! (Yes folks, these two can co-exist!)
 
My famous, age-old brownie recipe has always been a popular hit – but it is packed with a scary amount of sugar!  Even if you substitute cane sugar for an alternative, such as coconut sugar, it still contains a pancreas-rottingly high amount.
 
So, I went back to the recipe drawing board to develop a version using only dates to sweeten this delectable treat.
 
Now I must come clean here, it isn’t exactly a low fat option (as you will see!), but recent research indicates that carbs / sugar are the really big ‘No-No’s’ to avoid, especially if you want to avoid type 2 diabetes.
 
Anyway, the recipe is tried and tested (by me, my friends and family), it works and I urge you to try it for yourselves.
 
Here it is, in all its yummy glory………………

     Sugar-free Chocolate Brownies 

Prep: 

• Pre-heat oven to 170C / 340F/Gas mark 4
• Grease and line a swiss roll tin or 20cm square cake tin
• Have food processor out and ready to use

​
Ingredients:

• 120g Butter (salted or unsalted, your preference)
• 50g dark chocolate (I use 80%)
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 200g Dates
• Vanilla Extract (a few drops)
• Salt, a pinch
• A large handful of Pecan Nuts, chopped
• 45g plain flour (gluten free flour also works fine)

 
Method:

1. Put the dates in the food processor and blitz till they become paste-like.
2. Put the butter and chocolate in a saucepan and heat gently, stirring constantly, till just melted (don’t overheat).
3. Turn off the heat, add melted mixture to dates and blitz to mix.
4. Add eggs, vanilla, salt and flour and blitz again.
5. Add pecans and blitz briefly to combine.
6. Pour the whole mixture into the prepared tin and bake for 20-30 minutes, depending on your oven.
7. Leave till cold then cut into squares.

        Store in an airtight container.  Keep for to up 5 days in a cool place.
 
Do let me know how you get on and what you think.
I hope you enjoy them!
Happy baking
Steph x

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