Healthier, fudgy chocolate brownies

On Sunday night I tested out a very interesting brownie recipe that I found in my newly acquired cookbook, "Notes From My Kitchen Table" by Gwyneth Paltrow.

This brownie recipe is completely vegan and is suitable for people with minor wheat allergies (as its low-gluten). It's also pretty quick and easy - plus, as Gwyneth Paltrow said, "these are about as healthy as brownies can get, with no flavour sacrifice". Here is the recipe...

Ingredients:

200g spelt flour
100g high-quality cocoa powder
1.5 tbsp baking powder
Pinch fine salt
125ml vegetable oil (I used sunflower oil)
250ml maple syrup (preferably real Vermont maple syrup)
125ml brown rice syrup or light agave nectar
125ml strong brewed coffee
125ml soya milk
1 tbsp vanilla extract
175g high-quality chocolate chips ( I went with a combination of dark organic chocolate chips and chopped up dark Lindt chocolate)

What to do:

* Preheat the oven to 180°C, 350°F, gas 4. Grease a baking dish (Gwyneth used a 28 x 23cm dish that’s 5cm deep) with vegetable oil.

* Sift the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt together in a large mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, syrups, coffee, soya milk and vanilla. Mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, being careful not to overbeat.

* Pour half the mixture into the dish. Sprinkle with half the chocolate chips. Pour the rest of the mixture into the baking dish and sprinkle with the rest of the chocolate chips.

* Bake for 30 mins - less if your dish is shallow, more if it’s deep - or until a cocktail stick has just a bit of chocolate on it when you test the cake - this means it’ll be super fudgy! Let it cool if you have the patience, cut into squares and serve.

Active preparation time: 15 minutes
Total preparation time: 45 minutes

Serves : 8

Some thoughts/notes about this recipe: The brownies came out way tastier and fudgier than I thought they would (the above photo is of my brownies - don't they look yummy?). The only issue people might have with this recipe is the ingredients - They are not available everywhere and the syrups are a bit pricey - I found most of my ingredients at the Wellness Warehouse. I would definitely make this recipe again ;)