Healthy Raspberry Brownies

Indulge your sweet tooth guilt-free with these delicious and nutritious Raspberry Brownies! Packed with wholesome ingredients like bananas, raspberries, cocoa powder, and nut butter, these brownies are the perfect combination of decadence and healthiness. Plus, they’re gluten-free, dairy-free, and naturally sweetened, making them a satisfying treat for any occasion. Let’s dive into the recipe:

Ingredients:

2 ripe bananas mashed

1/2 cup raspberries (fresh or frozen)

1/2 cup cocoa powder (unsweetened)

1/4 cup nut butter (such as almond butter or peanut butter)

1/4 cup honey or maple syrup (for natural sweetness)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon salt

Optional: Dark chocolate chips or chunks for extra indulgence

Steps:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Grease or line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring that there’s some overhang for easy removal.

Mash the Bananas: In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until smooth and creamy. Add the Wet Ingredients: To the mashed bananas, add the nut butter, honey or maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined and smooth.

Incorporate the Dry Ingredients: Sift the cocoa powder into the banana mixture to avoid any lumps. Add the salt as well. Stir until all ingredients are thoroughly combined, forming a smooth batter. Fold in the Raspberries: Gently fold the raspberries into the brownie batter until they’re evenly distributed. Be careful not to overmix to avoid breaking the raspberries.

Transfer to the Baking Pan: Pour the brownie batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it out evenly with a spatula.

Bake in the Oven: Place the baking pan in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the brownies are set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs attached. Cool and Serve: Once baked, remove the brownies from the oven and allow them to cool in the pan for at least 10-15 minutes. Then, using the parchment paper overhang, lift the brownies out of the pan and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Optional: Add Dark Chocolate Chips: For an extra touch of decadence, sprinkle dark chocolate chips or chunks over the brownie batter before baking. This will add bursts of rich chocolate flavor throughout the brownies. Serve and Enjoy! Slice the cooled brownies into squares and serve them as a delightful treat for dessert, snacks, or any time you’re craving a healthy indulgence.