Guilt-free moist raspberry and pistachio brownies

As a chocolate lover, I am increasingly trying to create *healthy* chocolate dessert recipes prepared with wholesome, simple, nutritious, and unprocessed foods. Let me know what you think, but personally, it’s my favorite dessert at the moment

Photo Credit: Nancy Bordeleau

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup gluten-free rolled oats
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup Metagenics chocolate protein powder (my favorite vegan protein)
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 egg
• 3 pitted dates, pureed
• 1 tablespoon natural liquid vanilla extract
• 2/3 cup unsweetened chocolate almond milk
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 1/4 cup 85% dark chocolate chips, + 2 tablespoons for topping
• 1/2 cup raspberries, broken into large pieces
• 1/3 cup pistachios, broken into large pieces (optional)

Photo Credit: Nancy Bordeleau

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Grease an 8 x 8-inch baking dish with a little coconut oil.
3. Place the oats in a blender for one minute or until they reach the consistency of flour.
4. Transfer the oats to a medium bowl, then whisk in the protein powder and cocoa powder. Set aside.
5. Whisk the applesauce, egg, pureed dates, vanilla, and almond milk until well combined.
6. Add to the dry ingredients and mix together until everything is well incorporated.
7. Heat the coconut oil and 1/4 cup of chocolate chips in a small saucepan over very low heat.
8. Stir continuously until the chocolate chips and coconut oil have melted. You can also melt the ingredients in the microwave for 30 to 45 seconds.
9. Gently fold into the brownie batter.
10. Pour the mixture into the baking dish.
11. Sprinkle the 2 tablespoons of 85% dark chocolate chips, pistachios, and raspberries on top.
12. Bake for 18–22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out almost clean.
13. Cool completely before cutting.
14. Once cooled, cut into 12 bars – please note that the bars must be kept in the refrigerator and can also be frozen. Freeze them by separating the layers with parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together.

Photo Credit: Nancy Bordeleau

Enjoy! Health is a lifestyle!