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Recipes

Deceptively Decadent “Healthy” Brownies

This article is written by a student writer from the Spoon University at MSU chapter.

Decadent healthy brownies. Which word does not belong? The answer is that they all belong, because there really is such a thing as a decadent yet healthy brownie! Don’t believe me? Well, the proof is in the pudding… I mean batter.

healthy brownies coffee cake
Ellie Haun

The best part about these brownies? They’re secretly healthy brownies, or at least healthier than most other brownie recipes floating around the web. How? Well first of all, they’re vegan so they’re not chock-full of artery-clogging, high calorie butter. Second of all, they have a healthy secret ingredient in them.

Hint: it’s a trendy leafy green. If you guessed kale, you win a virtual brownie!

healthy brownies goody cream
Ellie Haun

Yes, kale brownies. Am I crazy for creating these? Only slightly. I promise they don’t taste like kale though. Seriously. They just taste like gooey, cakey, chocolatey goodness. I got the idea of sticking veggies into dessert from the cookbook Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld.

The whole point of the cookbook is to encourage parents to sneak veggies into their kids’ diets, and you already know I love it. Anyone who likes desert but is trying to be a little healthier, or wants an excuse to eat more brownies, will love this recipe. They’re “healthy,” so you can eat more of them- right?!

healthy brownies cookie cream
Ellie Haun

Deceptively Decadent Brownies

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 15 minutesCook time: 35 minutesTotal time: 50 minutesServings:16 servings

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Ellie Haun

    Preheat the oven to 350°F.

  2. Ellie Haun

    First make the kale water by combining ½ cup water and 1 cup raw kale in a blender (or food processor) and blending on high for a minute, or until the kale is completely blended. You can use regular water or nondairy milk too if kale isn’t your thing.

  3. Ellie Haun

    Mix together the dry ingredients, from flour to baking powder.

  4. Ellie Haun

    Add in the wet ingredients, aka the rest of the ingredients including the kale water. Mix until just combined and add in a ½ cup of chocolate chips.

  5. Ellie Haun

    Pour into an 9u0022 X 9u0022 oiled brownie pan and bake for 35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the brownies.

  6. Ellie Haun

    Let cool for about 15 minutes, then cut and enjoy!

Ellie is a senior studying food science at Michigan State University. Her favorite foods are chocolate, peanut butter, and carrots. When she's not baking cupcakes or taking pictures of food, she's probably running with the MSU running club or practicing yoga. Check out her blog, "Peanut Butter & Ellie," if you love all things peanut butter!