Where there is need, there is a way. Once you establish the need, innovation works its way in and soon enough you have a solution. This is evident in many facets of life. But today it pertains to brownies.

As I am getting ready to move, I did not want to go to the grocery and waste money on food I would not be able to eat within the next week or so. I knew I had plenty of stuff at the apartment, but did I have the right things to make what I wanted?

Brownies.

Come on, we all need that chocolate fix now and then! And lets face it, I was no-bake cookied out.

So it was time to get creative.

I googled recipe after recipe, but I did not have the ingredients for one or the other. It was time to get creative.

So I looked up substitutions for this, measurements for that, left out some things and in the end I was left with my very own creation, which actually tasted pretty darn good! You’ll have to let me know your thoughts on it as well!

Prep time: 7-12 Minutes

Cook Time: 20-30 Minutes

What You Get: 15-20 Brownies

What You Will Need:

• 3/4 Cup plus 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (natural or Dutch-process)
• 1 1/4 Cup Maple Syrup
• 10 Tablespoons of Plain Greek Yogurt
• 1/2 Teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 Teaspoon salt
• 1/2 Cup Coconut Flour (or all-purpose flour)
• 2 Tablespoons Coconut Flakes
  • 2 Eggs are optional. They can aid in adding moisture or richness, but are not necessary.
• 8″ Baking pan

What You Will Do:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F.
2. Be sure to oil up (or Pam) the baking pan.
3. Mix together the cocoa, salt, maple syrup and plain greek yogurt in a medium to large bowl. Start stirring.
4. Add in vanilla and stir until batter looks thick and well blended, then add the coconut flour and stir vigorously.
5. Pour batter into baking pan and spread evenly.
6. Sprinkle coconut flakes on the top of the batter.
7. Bake until desired thickness is achieved (test with sticking a toothpick in the center to see how moist it is). Mine took 20-30 minutes.
8. Remove from oven, let cool and enjoy!

Outcome:

The cocoa powder is definitely different from regular brownie mix. It has more of a dark chocolate kind of taste. It has more complexity and almost notes of tart & fruity tastes. This taste is not for everyone, but those dark chocolate lovers should enjoy it!

Give it a try and let me hear your thoughts!

*Love & Light*