A Better Brownie

No one will ever know that the main ingredient in these delicious brownies is beets. They are much better for children than store bought. Just don’t tell them about the beets and they will love them! Beets are a good source of folate and a source of Vitamin C and potassium. They provide Vitamins A and C, calcium and iron, and add fiber to the diet. For the sweetener instead of sugar, I use xylitol. Xylitol is a substance found in the fibers of many fruits and vegetables, including various berries, corn husks, oats, and mushrooms. It is a product that appears in animal metabolism, and so is perfectly safe. It is known to help support the immune system, and to help reduce the effects of aging. Xylitol can replace sugar in most of its uses, including in baking and as a natural sweetener and you use the same amount as you would regular sugar. It is also used extensively in chewing gum as a sweetener that does not cause dental cavities due the acid caused by bacterial attack on the sugar. You can also safely use it if you are a diabetic.

2 large cooked beets or one 14 ounce can of beets rinsed and drained. I don’t like using canned beets but they are ok in a pinch. Some stores also sell beets peeled and cooked in packets or in the salad bar. You just need one cup once they are pureed.
¼ cup of unsalted butter melted (I use grass fed butter)
¾ cup of xylitol. You can use 3/4 cup of cane sugar if you dont have xylitol.  If you like them a little sweeter, up the suger to one cup.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large organic eggs
½ cup all purpose flour
¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon instant espresso powder
½ cup mini dark chocolate or carob chips

Preheat the oven to 350. Coat a 9 inch square baking dish with cooking spray. Puree the beets in the food processor until you have one cup. Set aside. Whisk flour, cocoa powder and espresso powder in a separate bowl and set aside. Use a mixer to blend together the butter and sugar until smooth. Add vanilla, then eggs one at a time. Stir in the beets. Fold in the flour mixture until combined. Stir in the chocolate or carob chips and pour into prepared pan. Bake for 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and cut into squares.

Enjoy and Have a Happy, Healthy  & Safe  July 4th!

Peace,
Maria