This summer feels different. Like the world is emerging from a long winter. There is the literal winter, but then the more metaphorical one to which I am referring. In other worlds, it feels like, for the first time in a few years, we are finally able to put events on our calendars with confidence and conviction that they will be able to take place. And that these events will have a lightness and celebratory energy reminiscent of a pre-pandemic era. From cookouts to concerts and everything in between, it feels good to get out and about.
All of this to say, your summer social calendar might be more full than in years past. If you are like me, you may feel pulled between ends of an emotional spectrum: excited for more plans, but also wondering how you are going to stay grounded through it all while juggling all of the things. It makes me think of one of my favorite yoga mantras: root down to rise up. Stay rooted in your healthy habits – that is your foundation. Mine entail nutrition, movement, mindfulness, and sleep. There is the most flexibility in the nutritional piece, and it can be relative. Everything can be Healthified in my opinion, with baked goods and other summer sweet treats having the lowest hanging fruit. Of course when you live an 80/20 lifestyle, there is wiggle room to indulge in the real deal (ice cream, cookies, etc.), but my taste buds prefer upgraded treats, especially those made with my Gratisfied baking mixes. I mostly reserve my 20% for wine and cheese, but you do you. However, I always get a little nervous when I bring a Healthified dessert to a social gathering. Will other people enjoy it as much as I do? According to my husband, my tastes can’t be compared to the majority of people since I have been eating healthy for so long (your taste buds definitely change and adapt!). But when I passed these brownies around at a recent cookout, the response was overwhelmingly positive. It is chocolate after all!
I highly recommend making these Gratisfied Empower Bar Cacao peanut butter brownies for your next summer cookout (use code HEALTHIFIED to save on your order!). The recipe is versatile – feel free to leave out the white chocolate chips, or replace with dark chocolate chips. Use any nut or seed butter of choice to switch up the flavor profile. The end result is a fudgy, cake-like brownie that won’t break your blood sugar. They are also free of grains, gluten dairy, soy, nuts, and oil. Best yet, no one will know it is good for you!
Empower Bar Cacao Peanut Butter Brownies {Grain-free, Dairy-free, Oil-free}
Equipment
- 8×8 baking tin
Ingredients
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1/2 cup dairy-free milk of choice I used unsweetened almond milk
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 Gratisfied Empower Bar Cacao baking mix pouch see note
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips optional
- Big flaky sea salt to garnish if desired
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8×8 baking tin with parchment paper
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, maple syrup, creamy peanut butter, and vanilla extract. Add the baking mix, baking soda, and sea salt to the bowl and use a spatula to stir everything together until a batter is formed.
- Add the chocolate chips (if using) and stir again until they are blended in the batter. Transfer the batter to the baking tin. Garnish with sea salt if desired.
- Bake for 28 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out mostly clean. Allow the brownies to cool in the baking tin for at least 1 hour before removing and slicing into the squares.
