Monday, February 2, 2009

Fudgy Brownies

This is from a new cookbook I have called Cooking from the Cupboard. It uses the staples from your cupboard to make healthy meals for your family. My daughter has digestive problems and I am always struggling to get her to add fruits and veggies to her diet. I've been learning how to slip in pureed carrots, squash, and sweet potatoes {baby food} into some of our meals so that she will eat them without even knowing it. Well, this recipe has a surprise ingredient of it's own, but NO ONE has been able to tell. :0) They are actually so moist and yummy that I can't stop eating them. Good thing they are a healthy version!

2/3 c. unbleached all-purpose flour
2/3 c. granulated sugar
1/3 c. unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp. salt
1 tsp. instant coffee powder
1/3 c. boiling water
1/2 c. fat-free or 1% milk
1 jar (2 1/2 ounces) baby-food pureed prunes
2 egg whites
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat an 8x8 pan with cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, mix the flour, granulated sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a medium bowl, dissolve the coffee powder in the water. Stir in the milk, prunes, egg whites, and vanilla. Pour over the cocoa mixture and mix well. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for 30 minutes, or until a knife instered in the center comes out clean.
4. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Invert onto a cutting board and let cool completely before cutting.

Makes 16 brownies.

Per brownie: 106 calories, 2 g protien, 24 g carbohydrates, 0 g fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 1 g dietary fiber, 103 mg sodium

Ashlee side note: I know some of you are flinching at the coffee addition. The brownies do not end up with a coffee taste. However, if you are still not wanting to add that into the mix you can just substitute hot cocoa. :0) I pulled these brownies out of the oven a couple of minutes early because they seemed to be set up just right. Oven temperatures vary though, so I would just keep an eye on them.
The part about completely cooling the brownies is important, so don't chop into them before then. You will have to refrain from drowning yourself in chocolately goodness for a few extra minutes. :0) Store these in an airtight container to keep them moist.
I took these brownies to the Super Bowl party last night and NOBODY knew there were prunes inside of them and they were a hit. Nothing like keeping yourself regular while you enjoy your favorite food group....chocolate. :0) I have yet to tell anyone AT ALL about the secret addition so keep it to yourself!