Fall is on the horizon and these delicately spiced brownies are perfect for the season. If you love rich dark, lightly sweetened chocolate, you will enjoy these brownies!
Makes 9, 2" square brownies
CHOCOLATE PUMPKIN CHAI SPICE BROWNIES
INGREDIENTS
1 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 cup almond butter
1/4 cup cacao powder (I use Zeal SuperFoods Organic Cacao Powder) **
2 Tablespoons granulated sweetener (I use coconut sugar)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cardamom
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 Tablespoons vegan chocolate chips (optional) (I use Enjoy Life dark chocolate morsels)
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar (optional)
1/2 teaspoon baking powder (optional)
NOTE: The brownies have no flour and no leavening so they are very dense and fudgy without the vinegar and baking powder, which is totally fine! However, if you prefer a brownie with a little more structure, my recommendation is to add the vinegar and baking powder.
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Line a 6-inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
3. In a medium sized bowl, mix all ingredients except the apple cider vinegar and baking powder. Blend well to ensure the spices are well-incorporated it. At this point, you can taste the batter and adjust for sweetness, if desired. Add up to two (2) more tablespoons of sweetener of choice if you desire a sweeter brownie. Stir in chocolate chips if using.
4. If using, pour vinegar over batter, then sprinkle baking powder on top. Fold in to batter, making sure both are blended well.
5. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 20-25 minutes.
6. Remove from oven and let cool on a rack for 5-10 minutes. Remove brownies from pan to finish cooling. Cut into squares then frost with Chocolate Chai Ganache Frosting (recipe below).
CHOCOLATE CHAI GANACHE FROSTING
(This frosting is velvety smooth, creamy and rich, and you can't taste the avocado at all!)
INGREDIENTS
1 medium-large avocado, mashed well
2-1/2 Tablespoons cacao powder
3 Tablespoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cardamom
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
DIRECTIONS
1. Make sure avocado is thoroughly mashed and there are no lumps and it is completely smooth. Add cacao powder to avocado and whisk to incorporate (this can also be done with a mixer).
2. Add in maple syrup and vanilla and mix well.
3. Add in all spices and blend until well incorporated and fairly firm. If mixture is not firm enough, add an additional 1/2 Tablespoon cacao powder. Mixture should be firm enough to pipe through a decorating bag with a star tip.
4. Add frosting into pastry decorating bag and pipe swirl on top of each brownie. Or, simply spread frosting on each one.
Enjoy!!
**If you would like to order Zeal Superfoods Organic Cacao Powder, use code BETHANY10 to save 10% at checkout.