Fudgy Brownies

Adapted from Forks Over Knives

Makes 12 servings

Ingredients:

⅔ cup date paste plus 6-8 tbl water 

¾ cup unsweetened applesauce

2 tsp instant espresso coffee

3 tbl almond butter

4½ tsp ground flaxseed

1½ tsp pure vanilla extract

¾ cup whole wheat pastry flour

¾ cup walnuts, finely chopped (optional)

7½ tbl unsweetened cacao powder (or ½ cup minus ½ tbl)

¼ tsp plus a pinch of baking powder

¼ tsp plus a pinch of baking soda

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Directions: 

Preheat oven 350°F

• Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, extending paper over edges,
or use an unlined silicone baking pan.

• In a small bowl, combine the date paste, water, instant coffee, applesauce, almond butter,
flaxseed, and vanilla.

• In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, cacao powder, baking powder, and baking soda.

• Add applesauce mixture to flour mixture, and stir just until combined. 

• Add optional ½ cup chopped walnuts to batter and mix.

• Spread batter in the prepared pan.

• Top with remaining chopped nuts.

• Bake for 30 minutes or until firm. Cool in the pan on a wire rack. 

• Using edges of parchment paper, lift uncut brownies out of the pan.

• Cut into 12 pieces.