I have been trying different brownie recipes forever and most of them are delicious. The only thing I don't love is all of the processed ingredients that tend to be included. I LOVE making zucchini bread and I had a couple zucchinis in the fridge that needed to be used so decided to create a brownie that has the extreme richness of the original version, but with more whole food ingredients. This just may be the first recipe I tested and feel like I nailed on the first try. I'm not bragging, it typically takes SO many tries to perfect a recipe, but I truly wouldn't change anything in this one. These brownies are so rich, so decadent, and pair perfectly with Halo Top vanilla ice cream. I 100% had these for breakfast the morning after I made them. No shame, whatsoever.
I have no idea what sparked this but I've been eating a 90% pescatarian based diet for the last few months. I've never been a huge meat eater; I would take a fish or meatless dish over a steak any day. I've just never been the type to see a steak, pork chop, or big piece of chicken and drool over it. Now, a big plate of pasta or grilled mahi mahi and I'll swan dive face first straight into the dish. I do enjoy hunting and I like having venison on-hand, but there's something about knowing exactly where the meat came from and how it was processed that I enjoy. There are plenty of opinions out there about these topics, and that's totally fine, this is just what I enjoy and how I prefer to eat. My husband loves nothing more than a big New York strip, and that's great. But while that's on the grill, I typically have a veggie burger or salmon filet going at the same time! Mmmmm, veggie burgers... I'll post my recipe for that soon as well!
ANYWAY, back to the brownies. The nut butter in this recipe makes it so rich, it's a little ridiculous. But the best part of the recipe is that it all comes together in your food processor. Of course, you can use a hand-mixer or a high powered blender, but the food processor just makes this recipe so simple. You don't have to dirty a million dishes, just one food processor and you are good to go.
Give this recipe a try and don't forget to follow me on Instagram and Facebook. Your continued support means the world to me! Let me know what you think about these brownies and let me know about any revisions you make. I LOVE seeing when people make my recipes with a twist!
Much love,
- Cass
Ingredients:
3/4 cup white sugar
1 1/2 rolled oats, pulsed in the food processor until it forms a flour
1/2 cup dairy free chocolate chips + extra to top the brownies
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon instant coffee powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
200 grams shredded zucchini (ends up being about 1 1/2 cups)
1/2 cup nut butter
1/4 cup plant based milk (I use Ripple)
1 teaspoon vanilla
Directions:
1. Line a 9x6 pan with parchment paper and preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
2. Add the oats to the food processor. Pulse until a flour-like powder is left. Add the rest of the dry ingredients, except chocolate chips, and pule to combine.
3. Add the wet ingredients and pulse until the batter is formed.
4. Add chocolate chips and stir, then transfer to the parchment lined pan. Top with additional chocolate chips.
5. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until you can pull a clean toothpick out of the center.
6. Let the brownies cool for at least 30 minutes and serve with your favorite ice cream or a dusting of powdered sugar.