Sugar-Free Brownie Recipes
If you’re trying to satisfy your craving for something sweet, chocolaty, and delicious, brownies probably sound pretty good right now. But most people realize that brownies are not part of a healthy diet.
Or are they?
With these recipes, they can be. The trick to making brownies a healthy addition to your diet is finding ways of omitting any added sugar to them. Classically, this baked favorite is loaded with extra sugar, which is going to cause your blood glucose level to skyrocket, your energy levels to soar (and then tank) and your potential for fat gain to go through the roof.
High sugar foods should definitely be avoided both to help you maintain your body weight and keep your health in check.
That’s why these recipes are ones you must try! By making a few smart tweaks to the ingredients, you too can satisfy your craving and get the nutrition that you need.
Ultra Low Carb Brownies
This one is perfect if you happen to be on a low carb ketogenic diet because the carb and sugar count is way down. That doesn’t mean they skimp on taste though. These are delicious, especially if topped off with some homemade coconut whipped cream. Simply drain the water out of a can of full fat coconut milk (rather than stirring it back in) and then beat the remaining mixture.
Heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Melt the chocolate by breaking it up and then placing it in a small bowl. Place that small bowl in a larger bowl filled with boiling water, creating a double boiler.
In another bowl, stir together softened butter, sweetener, eggs, and cocoa. Blend this with a food processor. Next, add the chocolate to this mixture and then stir in almond flour.
Stir in almonds and then place the mixture in a baking tin lined with parchment paper (or greased lightly). Bake for approximately 25 minutes. Remove and let cool for at least 10-15 minutes.
Peanut Butter Protein Brownies
If you’re looking for a brownie recipe that’s super simple to prepare and will have your taste buds craving more, you must check this one out. Made with just four ingredients, all of which you probably have sitting around home, it’s a super simple one to make any day of the week.
This one does have a few more carbs from naturally occurring sources (bananas), but there is no added sugar. It also contains a nice balanced mix of proteins, carbs, and fats, so is great to eat as a snack any time during the day to keep your energy levels up.
If you really do want to bring the carb and sugar count down, you can swap out the bananas for pumpkin puree instead, but do keep in mind this will change the taste of these brownies.
Heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and place muffin liners in a muffin tin. Place all the ingredients in a blender and then blend on high speed until well mixed.
Pour the batter into the muffin tin, making sure to fill it until just full. Keep in mind that because you are not using baking powder in this recipe, they aren’t going to rise any further so you don’t have to worry about them spilling over.
Bake for about 12-15 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool and serve or place in the fridge until you’re ready to eat. As they do have protein powder, you’ll want to keep them chilled until eating.
Flourless Protein Brownies
This is another recipe that keeps both flour and sugar out of your plan. In doing so, you get the best of both worlds and ensure that you are keeping gluten out of your diet plan.
This recipe will also provide a good dose of dietary fiber from the two bananas it contains and the cocoa powder, which adds a little extra. It takes just minutes to prepare, so is the perfect option for those busy days when you need something in a hurry.
Heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Next, blend together the bananas, applesauce, cocoa powder, and protein powder.
Once smooth, pour into a non-stick loaf pan. Note that the batter will be quite thick and this is normal.
Once all out and smoothed place the chocolate chips on top. Bake this for approximately 20 minutes and then remove and let cool for 10 minutes or so. They will harden as they cool.
Slice and serve.
So give any one of these delicious recipes a try next time cravings hit and you’re in the mood for something with chocolate. As an added benefit, all three of these recipes call for cocoa powder, which is a rich source of antioxidants in your diet. By eating more antioxidants regularly, you can help combat aging, prevent disease, and feel your very best on a day to day basis.
Shannon Clark is your go-to-girl. She holds a degree in Exercise Science from the University of Alberta, where she specialized in Sports Performance and Psychology. In addition to her degree, she is an AFLCA certified personal trainer and has been working in the field for over 12 years now, and has helped others of all ages lose weight, build muscle, and improve their physical performance.
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