Guilt Free Chocolate Brownies

Sometimes you just need a chocolate treat without all the guilt.

I've saved the day, these Guilt Free Chocolate Brownies are a hit.

It's a broken record around here.

Another snow/ice/high wind/cold temp day for us.  I got the text while still in bed and I'm not lying that a small tear escaped my eye and rolled onto my pillow.  Our kids are offically going to school until June.  Which means jump ahead to my early June posts in a few months and I'll be bragging about how I'm blogging on my deck in the sunshine, drink in hand and those little kids are still in school.

There is a light at the end of the tunnel.

So basically, this morning was spent in my robe, drinking my coffee, earbuds in, making these brownies.

I wanted to create a fun, Valentine's Day treat for all of us that are trying to watch what we eat.  Are you watching your sugar intake?  Carbs?  Well, I cut everything down in these brownies and swapped many of the unhealthy things {flour, oil, butter, etc.} and put in a few better foods {egg whites, cottage cheese, oats, etc.}.

One brownie has 111 calories, 19 carbs, 2 grams of fat, 5 grams of protein and 14 grams of sugar.  Not too shabby right?  Compared to a regular brownie that is about triple those amounts.

Plus....they taste really, really good.

Honestly, when these came out of the oven and I stood there staring at them I had no idea if they would taste like cake or a brownie.  They were going to be called Guilt Free Chocolate Brownies or Guilt Free Chocolate Cake.

So after photographing these I demolished that BROWNIE in about 5 seconds flat.  Yes, I said brownie.  The texture is more brownie like than cake, therefore BROWNIE.

They are rich, flavorful, a bit nutty in a good way {from the oat flour}, cut like a dream {nothing is worse that a brownie that is too fudgy and doesn't cut} and just taste heavenly.

Since we are so close to Valentine's Day, how do you celebrate?  Date night in?  Romantic night out? Do you bypass the holiday completely?

I think all are just fine.  I'm kinda here nor there on the holiday.  If it works out and we can get a night away great.  If we are home with the three kids, I might make heart shaped pizzas, put in a movie and call it a night.

No matter what you do, I will stand by and say EVERYONE feels special, no matter what the day if dessert is served.  Dessert is love, right?  These brownies only take about 30+ minutes from start to finish and with 5 different palates in my family I've found every single one of them loved these little chocolate gems.

They didn't even know they were healthier for them!

Take some time and make these!

Shout it out on social media {@sweetsavoryeats} and I'll be sure to shout out back.  Share your pics!  The more my recipes are shared the more my blog can grow.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Yield: 9Author: Ally

Guilt Free Chocolate Brownies

These guilt-free brownies do not taste guilt-free! Chewy, soft and rich in flavor, these are great to whip up when you need a chocolate fix, yet do not need the calories and fat.

prep time: 10 minscook time: 30 minstotal time: 40 mins

ingredients

• 3 egg whites
• 3/4 cup 2% cottage cheese
• 1 t vanilla extract
• 5 oz Hershey Milk Chocolate bar (or any brand)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup oat flour
• 1/2 t baking powder
• 1/4 t salt
• powdered sugar, for dusting

instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit an 8x8 baking pan, letting the edges hang over the sides (for easy handles later).  Spray with cooking spray and set aside.
2. In a food processor pulse the oats into fine crumbs (you may want to double the oats, as they will shrink down to 3/4 of a cup).  Remove the oats and set aside.
3. Place the egg whites, cottage cheese and vanilla into the food processor and process until smooth.
4. Break apart the chocolate bar and place in a microwave safe bowl.  Microwave in 15 second intervals, stirring after each interval, until melted and smooth.
5. Add in the melted chocolate, sugar, baking powder and salt and process until smooth.
6. Lastly add the oat flour back in and pulse until just combined.
7. Pour the brownie batter into the baking pan and spread until smooth.
8. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until springy to the touch and slightly pulling away from the edges.
9. Allow to cool and cut into 9 brownies.  Sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired.

calories
111

fat (grams)
2

carbs (grams)
19

protein (grams)
5

sugar (grams)
14

Created using The Recipes Generator