This fudgy healthy brownie recipe is made with clean eating ingredients like spelt flour, unsweetened chocolate, coconut oil and coconut sugar. Cut them into heart-shapes for a healthier sweet Valentine’s Day treat.
These spelt brownies make a delicious healthier treat for Valentine's Day or any day, really! I used my favorite brownie recipe, which uses melted unsweetened chocolate for the ultimate fudgy texture.
Then I modified this recipe to make it healthier by using whole grain, lower gluten spelt flour, coconut oil, and coconut sugar.
And the greatest thing of all, even the biggest healthy dessert skeptics will be fooled by these brownies. With these healthy brownies, no one will miss the white flour and white sugar counterpart.
How to make healthy chocolate brownies?
Start by melting the unsweetened baking chocolate and coconut oil in a saucepan on low heat. Alternatively, you can melt these 2 ingredients in a bowl in the microwave.
To the melted chocolate mixtures add the coconut sugar, vanilla extract, whisked egg, salt, and instant coffee (if using). Mix to combine everything.
Finally add in the spelt flour, and stir it in until a uniform brownie batter forms. Transfer the batter to a greased or parchment lined baking dish and bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes.
The edges should look fully baked while the centre will still be a little jiggly. Let the brownies cool to room temperature, then chill in the fridge for 1-2 hours.
Slicing the brownies when they are fully chilled through makes for extra clean cut lines - if that kind of thing is important to you.
Valentine’s Day Brownies
Once the spelt brownies are completely cool, you can just them into shapes for any occasion with cookie cutters.
It’s easier to cut squares of brownies first, and then cut them into shapes once they are removed from the brownie pan.
For Valentine’s Day I am using heart shaped cookie cutters. Trees and stars would be great for the Christmas holidays, and egg shapes or bunnies for Easter.
Optionally, you can dust the tops with a sprinkling of powdered sugar.
How to store these Spelt brownies
Store spelt brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up 4 days. In the fridge for up to a week.
Wrapped airtight these healthy chocolate brownies can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Substitution Suggestions for this Healthy Brownie Recipe:
Here are some of my suggestion for how some of following ingredients can be replaced/substituted
- Unsweetened Baking Chocolate:
You can use ½ cup of cocoa powder instead of baking chocolate.
If you can't find unsweetened chocolate, use any dark chocolate with high percentage of cacao (70-95%) and reduce the amount of coconut sugar a little - Coconut oil:
An equal amount of butter or any flavorless oil, like avocado or grapeseed oil, can be substituted - Coconut sugar:
Can be replaced with an equal amount brown sugar, preferably natural varieties like muscovado or panela - Spelt flour:
An equal amount of (white) whole wheat flour works as well - Instant coffee:
I love the hint of coffee flavor with the rich chocolate brownies, but you can just as well omit this.
Or use 1-2 teaspoons of instant espresso, if you have that at home. - 9x13 inch baking pan:
This larger size baking dish makes more and thinner brownies, which I think works best for cutting out shapes. However, you can also use an 8x8 or 9x9 inch square pan, for fewer but thicker brownies. Baking time may be 5-7 minutes longer.
More delicious healthy brownie recipes:
Recipe
Healthy Brownie Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate chopped
- ½ cup coconut oil refined for no coconut flavor
- 1-½ cups coconut sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 eggs lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 tablespoon instant coffee granules optional
- 1 cup whole grain spelt flour
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350° F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan or line with parchment paper.
- Melt together unsweetened chocolate and coconut oil. I do this in a saucepan on the stove top, but you can also do this in a bowl in the microwave.
- To the melted mixture add coconut sugar, vanilla extract, beaten eggs, sea salt, optional instant coffee, and spelt flour. Stir after each addition.
- Pour the brownie batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes. The corners and edges will look baked and set, while the center will still be jiggly.
- For super clean edges, let the brownies cool before cutting into squares. For Valentine's Day themed brownies, use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out brownie hearts.
- Dust with icing sugar, if desired. Store in an airtight container.
Nutrition
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Random Questions
Yes, using ingredients like spelt flour, coconut oil, and coconut sugar can make brownies healthier without compromising taste and texture.
While butter adds richness, coconut oil is a healthier alternative in brownies. It adds a subtle coconut flavor and a moist texture.
Coconut oil, avocado oil, or grapeseed oil are good alternatives to butter. They maintain the moisture and enhance the flavor profile of the brownies.
Coconut sugar or natural brown sugar are preferable to refined white sugar in terms of health benefits. They add a richer flavor to the brownies.
Grace
Look so yum!Can i substitute coconut oil for butter ? If yes whats the measure pls?
Regina | Leelalicious
Yes, you can substitute an equal amount of melted butter here.