Healthy carob brownies

Have you ever tried carob? Unlike chocolate, carob is a pod – not a seed – and is caffeine free. Carob powder is a healthy alternative to cocoa powder, although minimally processed cocoa powder has some health benefits of its own. Since carob powder is naturally sweet, there’s no need to add sugar or other sweeteners when using it in your favorite recipes.

These brownies are almost fat free and low sugar. They have a much lighter taste than regular brownies, and admittedly lack some richness, but they are still delicious!

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Healthy carob brownies

Prep 5 mins

Cook 20 mins

Total 25 mins

Author linn

Tasty carob brownies, almost fat free and low sugar. They have a much lighter taste than regular brownies, and admittedly lack some richness, but they are still delicious!

Ingredients

• 100 gram carob powder
• 300 gram oat flour
• 2-3 ripe mashed bananas
• 1 tablespoon neutral oil (sunflower or canola)
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar (or 0,5 teaspoons erythritol or stevia, contains no fructose)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 200 ml cold water
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 50 grams chopped walnuts (optional)

For some extra nutrition you can add 1 teaspoon psyllium husk and/or 1 teaspoon ground flax seeds. Add more oil or water if using this.

Topping: Carob or dark chocolate nibs

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 190 °C (375°F) Mix together the carob powder, flour, sugar, salt and baking powder in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, mix the water, milk, eggs, oil and mashed bananas. Pour the wet into the dry ingredients with the vanilla extract and mix thoroughly.
2. Now add the chopped walnuts if using them. You could also add dark chocolate chips if you wish. At this point, if the mixture is too thick, add a little extra milk until it is looks thick but stir-able.
3. Transfer the mix to a greased, non-stick brownies tray. Cook in the preheated oven for around 20 minutes – the brownies will feel firm to the touch, not wobbly like normal brownies.
4. Enjoy!

Courses Cake, dessert

Nutrients and health benefits of carob:

This healthy and nutritious alternative contains as much Vitamin B1 as asparagus or strawberries; as much niacin as lima beans, lentils, or peas; and more Vitamin A than eggplant, asparagus, and beets. It also contains Vitamin B2, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and the trace minerals iron, manganese, chromium, copper, and nickel. It contains approximately 8 percent protein and is a good source of fiber. Compared to chocolate, carob is three times richer in calcium, has one third fewer calories and seventeen times less fat!

Summary: Naturally low in fat, low in sodium, high in calcium, high in fiber, gluten free, good source of antioxidants.

WHAT IS YOUR…

What is your favorite healthier cake? Have you ever tried carob, and what did you think of its unique taste? Comment below so I can do a recipe inspired by them. Let me know what you think in the comments, rate the recipe if you try it (it helps me improve them for you!), and if you make it at home share it on Instagram with #alalinn som I can see!