Healthy Dark Chocolate Brownies

Delicious, low fat, vegetable added, whole wheat, dark chocolate, moist, fudgy brownies...what's not to like? Optional additions: 1-2 T bourbon, rum or whiskey adds a nice complex flavor, 1 C chopped nuts of your choice (walnuts, pecans, almonds), marshmallows &/or fresh raspberries as a topping. I usually add 2-4 T ground flax and chia seeds for health & increased protein--makes them into a breakfast bar in my opinion!

• Ready In: 35 mins
• Serves: 20
• Yields: 20 approx 2

Ingredients

• 3⁄4 cup whole wheat flour or 3⁄4 cup white flour
• 3⁄4 cup oats, ground to powder
• 2  carrots or 2  apples or 2  zucchini, shredded
• 2  eggs
• 1  cup  unsweetened cocoa powder (I use up to 1 1/4 C if want dark dark chocolate tasting brownies)
• 1 1⁄4 cups sugar (I use brown, turbinado, or a mix of sugar & honey. can use less)
• 1⁄2 cup water, boiling
• 1⁄2 cup nonfat milk or 1⁄2 cup applesauce
• 1⁄3 cup plain fat-free yogurt (I used Greek since I had it on hand)
• 2  tablespoons ground flax seeds (optional)
• 2  tablespoons  chia seeds (optional)
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 tablespoon vanilla
• 8  ounces  semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350F (180C) and grease a 9x13 inch pan. Sprinkle turbinado sugar on the pan to make a delicious crunchy crust.
2. In a large bowl, stir together the cocoa powder, baking soda, & salt. Blend in milk & yogurt and mix until smooth.
3. Pour in boiling water, stirring until mixture thickens.
4. Stir in eggs, sugar, and vanilla, stirring until smooth.
5. Add flour, chia and flax seeds, stirring until smooth.
6. Add chocolate chips, stir to combine and pour batter into baking pan. Add liquor if using.
7. Bake at 350F for 20 minutes if you want fudgy brownies. Cook for additional 5-10 minutes for drier brownies. If adding marshmallows or raspberries as a topping add now and put under broiler for 1-2 minutes. I love adding a sprinkle of turbinado sugar to the top of the brownies to add a nice crunch.