These are my wife's "almost famous" paleo brownies (slightly modified from Mark Sisson's "Primal Blueprint Cookbook")
Bacon and birthday candles are optional, of course!
While not what I'd call health food, they are a delicious, "healthier" treat for that occasion when a cake is desired. If you have trouble eating treats in moderation, I'd recommend making these only when you have lots of folks to feed, as they are GOOD! This dessert has shown a few of our "paleo-phobic" friends and family that we are indeed not suffering by how we choose to eat. For those who don't know, they will never suspect that these brownies (more like a moist, delicious chocolate cake) are grain-free and non-dairy!
Paleo Brownie Recipe:
Ingredients:
1 3/4 cup almond meal (We use Trader Joe's Almond Meal)
3/4 cup Dutch process cocoa powder (We use Droste. It is extra rich)
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs (room temperature)
1 cup coconut milk (full fat variety in a can)
3/4 cup maple syrup
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/3 cup extra virgin coconut oil (gently melted)
1/4 cup walnuts
1/2 cup bittersweet chocolate chips (melted)
Preheat oven to 350.
Line a 13x9x2 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, mix together dry ingredients until well blended. Set aside.
In a small bowl, whisk eggs for one minute, then add coconut milk, maple syrup and whisk again. Add melted coconut oil and whisk until wet ingredients are completely blended. Add wet mixture to dry ingredients and whisk well; be sure to scrape sides and bowl bottom so no pockets of dry ingredient remain. Fold in melted chocolate chips and walnuts. Batter will be thinner consistency than conventional brownies. Pour batter into prepared pans.
Bake 35-40 minutes. Cool completely before cutting.
Enjoy in moderation... If you can! (bacon decoration is optional, of course...)
If you'd like to go all "birthday cake" on it, HERE is a good frosting recipe. Usually, we just cover the cake in fresh berries and drizzle some of this frosting like a ganache over it.