Fudgy and full of dark chocolate these Almond Butter Brownies are insanely delicious. Easy to make with simple wholesome ingredients, these flourless brownies a true guilt-free, pure-pleasure chocolate treat. Perfect for weekends or when you need a quick chocolate fix.
Nothing, and I mean nothing is more satisfying than a delicious freshly baked brownie. Topped with a scoop of ice cream, it's just unbelievably delicious! Chocolate is the ultimate pleasure. A comfort food. Mood booster and happiness bringer. Also, the perfect way to say I love you.
Last weekend I wanted to surprise my bear with something chocolaty 'cause he's been handling my crazy working hours and after-work schedule pretty good lately. I made Chocolate Protein Balls for him but every now and then a man just needs a full-bodied chocolate experience.
To show him how much I love him, I made him (and myself) this sweet chocolate beauty. Double Chocolate Almond Butter Brownies are rich and filled with melting dark chocolate bits. Bitter-sweet, dense, and absolutely delicious.
Knowing that these almond brownies are made with wholesome ingredients, completely guilt-free, has made us enjoy them even more.
Almond Butter Brownies ingredients
These chocolate almond brownies are super easy to make and you'll need only a few simple (basic healthy) ingredients to make them. They are so simple that you can actually make them anytime you need a brownie-fix or something sweet. Plus, it's one of those recipes that turn out perfect every time. Here's what you'll need:
- Almond butter. I used all-natural creamy almond butter. Almond butter is one of the staples in my house. It's so healthy, loaded with good fats that keep our heart healthy. Plus, fibers, proteins, and many important minerals and vitamins.
- Cacao powder. I always use unprocessed raw cacao powder that is bitter, deep-flavored, and so incredibly healthy. Cacao powder is packed with powerful antioxidants that have been linked to many health benefits. Cacao gave almond brownies a gorgeous chocolaty flavor.
- Coconut Sugar. I used it to sweeten these almond butter brownies. Coconut sugar is a natural sugar made from coconut palm sap. It has a lower glycemic index than regular table sugar which makes him a great sugar alternative in sweets like these.
- Dark chocolate chips. I used dark chocolate made with 75% or more raw cacao that is made without refined sugars. You can find those in healthy food stores. They deepened the overall chocolate flavor and gave that special double chocolate kick. Melting pieces of dark chocolate in a warm brownie it's unbelievably good and satisfying.
- Maca powder. To add some extra flavor I also added a maca powder. It's a known superfood that boosts mood, sex drive, energy, and stamina. If you don't have maca powder at hand, you can swap it for cinnamon.
Other pantry ingredients you'll need:
- Egg - I used free-range, pasture-raised.
- Maple syrup.
- Coconut flour.
- Baking soda.
- Salt - I used Himalayan salt.
How to make Almond Butter Brownies
Almond Butter brownies are a no-brainer. It requires some mixing but you'll need only basic equipment.
- Position an oven rack in the middle and turn on the oven.
- Prepare a 9"x9" baking pan by either generously greasing and flouring or by lining with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Prepare and measure all ingredients using measuring cups.
- Take the mixing bowl and sift the cacao powder and maca powder so there are no lumps. Mix in baking soda, coconut flour, and salt. Set aside.
- In another larger mixing bowl, combine almond butter, melted coconut oil, maple syrup, and coconut sugar. Mix everything using the whisk until you get a nice sticky texture. Coconut sugar must dissolve completely. Don't use an electric mixer.
- Add in eggs, one by one, mixing with the whisk.
- Once you get a soft, sticky but runny mixture, add in dry ingredients. You can use a spatula here or whisk.
- Toss in dark chocolate chips and fold everything together.
- Pour brownie batter into prepared baking pan and bake for 20 minutes (until a toothpick inserted into the center come out almost clean).
- Make sure you do not over-bake the brownies. They must have firm outside but soft inside.
- Remove the pan from the oven and let the almond brownies cool for a minute or two before you slice it. Well, it's recommended to let it cool completely BUT who can wait THAT long, right?!
Useful tips
- To check whether brownies are done, insert a skewer or toothpick into the center. If the toothpick comes out clean or with just a few crumbs on it, they are ready to come out of the oven.
- Make sure you use eggs at room temperature. Pull them out of the fridge before baking so they can rest for a bit. Or run the eggs under warm water to speed this process or set them in a bowl of warm water.
Substitutions
- You can substitute coconut sugar with brown sugar in its place. A 1:1 ratio will work perfectly, though it’s important to note that brown sugar is slightly sweeter.
- You can substitute maple syrup with honey or date syrup at a 1:1 ratio. Use honey in the runny form (not raw honey).
- Substitute maca powder with cinnamon.
- If you don't have coconut flour at hand, you can leave it out. Coconut flour gives a more dense texture. Leaving it out will make brownies softer but equally good and delicious.
Optional brownie add-ons
I always like to play around with add-ons. Sometimes I crave little more crunch, or just additional chocolate. Here are some of my ideas how to make these almond butter brownies even more interesting.
- Add in some chopped walnuts or pecans for extra crunch.
- Mix in some strawberries or raspberries for some freshness.
- Swirl in a tablespoon or two of Strawberry Chia Jam.
- Make the chocolate frosting and add sprinkles on top.
Chocolate almond brownies are really special. Chocolaty, deep flavored, melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Decadent, but totally wholesome and good for you. A perfect dessert for the weekends or when you need something to boost your mood. Great Valentine's Day dessert too.
Enjoy!
Almond Butter Brownies
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup almond butter
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/4 cup extra virgin coconut oil melted and cooled to room temperature
- 2 eggs
- 1/3 cup raw cacao powder
- 2 teaspoons maca powder
- 1 tablespoon coconut flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- Pinch of Himalayan salt
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips with 75% or more cacao
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F (176C). Grease a 9x9 inch square baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- Melt coconut oil and let it cool to room temperature.
- Prepare dry ingredients: In a bowl sift cacao powder and maca. Add in coconut flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix well.
- Prepare wet ingredients: In a large bowl, combine almond butter, melted coconut oil, maple syrup, and coconut sugar. Mix everything using the whisk until you get a nice sticky texture. Coconut sugar must dissolve completely.
- Add in eggs, one by one, mixing with the whisk.
- Gently fold in dry ingredients.
- Toss in dark chocolate chips and fold everything together.
- Pour brownie batter into prepared baking pan and bake for 20 minutes (until a toothpick inserted into the center come out almost clean).
- Remove from oven and let brownies cool for few minutes.
- Slice and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
More brownie recipes to try
If you’ve tried this Almond Butter Brownies recipe or any other recipe on Natalie’s Health, please take a minute to rate the recipe and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. I love hearing from you!
This post is originally published in May 2019. It's updated with new information and republished in February 2021. The recipe reminded the same.
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