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A stack of chocolate zucchini brownies

Best Ever Healthy Chocolate Zucchini Brownies


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  • Author: Susan
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 15 Brownies 1x
  • Diet: Low Calorie

Description

Are you looking for the best way to satisfy your sweet tooth with a healthy brownie recipe that doesn’t skimp on that rich, chocolatey flavor? If so, you're in for a treat!


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 1/2 cups of Shredded Zucchini
  • 1/2 cup of Sugar
  • 1/2 Teaspoon of Sea Salt
  • 1 cup of All Purpose Flour
  • 1/2 cup of Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
  • 1/4 Teaspoon of Baking Soda
  • 2 Tablespoons of Canola Oil
  • 1 1/2 Teaspoons of Vanilla Extract
  • 1 Egg


Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. - Coat a 9x9 Inch baking pan with spray oil or line with parchment paper.
  2. Peel one large zucchini and shred with a small box grater.
  3. Mix zucchini shreds, sugar and salt in a medium mixing bowl. Let stand for 5 minutes.
  4. In a separate large bowl mix flour, unsweetened cocoa powder and baking soda. 
  5. Add in canola oil, vanilla extract and egg to your cocoa powder mix.
  6. Add flour mix to the zucchini batter and blend together it will be a very thick batter.
  7. Spread batter into baking pan and flatten with a spatula. 
  8. Bake in oven 22-25 minutes. Add a 1/2 cup of dark chocolate chips on top at the 15 minutes mark if you like extra fudgy brownies..which I do.
  9. Slice and eat warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or cool to room temperature. Enjoy!!

Notes

  1. Choose the Right Zucchini: Opt for small to medium-sized zucchinis when making your homemade chocolate zucchini brownies. These have a milder flavor and are less watery, ensuring your brownie batter maintains the perfect consistency.

  2. Grate Finely: Use a fine grater to shred your zucchini. This will help the zucchini blend seamlessly into the brownie batter, adding moisture without altering the texture.

  3. Squeeze Out Excess Water: After grating the zucchini, use a clean kitchen towel or paper towels to squeeze out any excess water. This step is crucial to avoid a watery brownie batter.

  4. Use Coconut Oil for Richness: Substitute butter with coconut oil to add a rich, subtle flavor to your brownies while keeping them dairy-free. Coconut oil also adds moisture, resulting in fudge brownies.

  5. Sweeten with Coconut Sugar: For a healthier alternative to refined sugar, use coconut sugar. It adds a natural sweetness and a slight caramel undertone, complementing the chocolate perfectly.

  6. Enhance Flavor with Cacao Powder: Swap regular cocoa powder with raw cacao powder. Cacao is less processed and retains more nutrients, adding a deep, rich chocolate flavor to your brownies.

  7. Incorporate Almond Butter: Mix almond butter into your brownie batter for an extra dose of healthy fats and a creamy texture. It also adds a slight nuttiness that pairs wonderfully with chocolate.

  8. Use Pure Maple Syrup as a Natural Sweetener: Pure maple syrup is an excellent natural sweetener that adds moisture and depth of flavor to your brownies without the need for refined sugar.

  9. Fold in Dark Chocolate Chips: For an extra chocolatey kick, fold in dark chocolate chips just before baking. They melt into pockets of gooey chocolate, making your fudge brownies even more decadent.

  10. Add Peanut Butter Swirls: Before baking, drop spoonfuls of peanut butter onto the brownie batter and swirl it in with a knife. This creates beautiful, flavorful ribbons throughout the brownies.

  11. Don’t Overmix: When combining your wet and dry ingredients, mix until just combined. Overmixing can lead to tough brownies, so keep the batter slightly lumpy for the best texture.

  12. Bake Until Just Set: To achieve perfectly fudgy brownies, bake until the edges are set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Avoid overbaking for the best results.

  13. Let Cool Completely: Allow your brownies to cool in the pan before cutting. This helps them firm up and makes slicing easier, ensuring clean, even pieces.

  14. Store Properly: To keep your brownies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. If you need to stack them, place a sheet of plastic wrap between layers to prevent sticking.

  15. Freeze for Later: If you want to save some brownies for later, wrap individual squares tightly in plastic wrap and store them in an airtight container in the freezer. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply thaw at room temperature.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Bake
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 square
  • Calories: 85
  • Sugar: 6.8 g
  • Sodium: 104.1 mg
  • Fat: 2.6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 14.8 g
  • Protein: 1.8 g
  • Cholesterol: 12.4 mg