Paleo Brownies

Whether you are on a diet or experiencing a new lifestyle of eating....sweets are always recommended to be in moderation.  I am a confessed 'chocoholic' and when I choose to go "Paleo" and found it was not on the 'forbidden' list like grains, sugar, legumes, etc; I was a happy camper.

I've trolled around the web a bit to find a good recipe as well as used a recommended one from a fellow Paleo co-worker who turned me onto this new way eating (forever in your gratitude Ginny!).  Alas, my first attempt was not a good one.  I blame it on the second type of coconut oil I was using; it was a highly scented and flavored of coconut.  I did not want my brownies to taste like Almond Joy (yet).

Since I think I've got a pretty good starting grasp on my use of Almond flour and baking in general....I made my own.  It's thin, yet fudgy.  I am happy with it....perhaps you will enjoy it too.  Let me know.

Yummo-Paleo Brownies
-created by Jenny Mac's Lipsmack

1/2 cup honey
3 (1 oz) squares unsweetened chocolate (or 1/2 cup cocoa powder and increase oil to 5 T)
2 T coconut oil, organic butter or favorite oil of choice
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
1 cup almond flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Melt oil and chocolate in the microwave for 1 minute intervals, until melted.  Thoroughly stir in honey.  Blend in eggs one at a time.  Mix well.  Add vanilla.  Stir in flour.

Spread in a 8X8 baking pan (a disposable aluminum one works awesome without greasing).  Bake for 30 minutes or until a knife comes out clean.  Cool and cut into 16 squares.


Enjoy!

There is always time for brownies!

Especially before the BIG Game!

Aren't these little footballs just adorable?

I too, am busy making my little treats for the Super Bowl. Sorry I am not one of those bloggers who can be timely and post all my recipes BEFORE the big game for you to shop and make beforehand. Unfortunately, I don't cook like that or perhaps I am not the best blogger in the world. However, I want my goodies FOR the game, not one/two weeks before the game just for a blogging post. I am not a millionaire, you know.....LOL. I look at it this way, if you just LOVE what I post in the next few days for Super Bowl treats....then print it out for next year. This way you will be WAY ahead for next year's game!

After all the prep, and chopping for the food for the main event....you kinda want sometime easy for the sweet. I know you already have a box of brownies in the cabinet for emergencies....go ahead take it out.

Orange Brownie Football Bites
by JennyMac's Lipsmack
Makes 12-14 Footballs

1 box of your favorite brownie mix (and whatever else it calls for: water, oil and eggs)
1 small can mandarin oranges, drained
zest of one orange
6oz of chocolate chips
1 tsp. oil
prepared white frosting in a tube or powdered sugar

Preheat the oven according to your brownie mix directions.

Place brownie mix in bowl. Drain oranges and chop into pieces.

Place oil in measuring cup and add oranges into the oil in the cup. Add water to the oil and oranges to make up to the total amount of liquid. For example: My box called for 1/2 cup water and 1/4 cup oil. I put 1/4 cup oil and added oranges and filled water until it reached 3/4 cup. Wasn't much water to add for there is plenty of orange juice in those oranges.

Pour orange/oil/water mixture onto brownie mix, add orange zest and mix.

Pour into 9X13 baking pan. I always line mine with foil for easy "lift-out". Bake according to box.

Cool brownies and cut into ovals. If you have a football shaped cookie cutter GREAT. But I didn't so I used a biscuit cutter. Cut one side of circle into brownie and lifted it out and cut the other side into the other half circle making a 'somewhat oval'. You will have alot of scraps but if you have kids...I am sure they won't mind eating THESE!

Melt chocolate chips and tsp of oil in microwave until smooth. Dip ovals into chocolate and put on parchment paper either a tray or cookie sheet will do. Place in

Draw lines on your footballs when chocolate has set.

This can be done with just a plain brownie mix if you like. K-man loves the chocolate and orange combo....so I created this for him. It's all about the football tomorrow right? Not what flavor it is. LOL

Cook's Notes:
1. If you do not have prepared white frosting on hand. Place powdered sugar in a ziploc bag and add just mere DROPS of milk until you get the right consistency. Cut the corner of the bag and draw your white lines. I used the convenience Betty Crocker stuff in a bag with a tip on it....and I was NOT happy the way the lines turned out....those little tails wouldn't stop. My white lines look a hot mess. I really am not THAT sloppy, HONEST!

Good Luck to whatever team you are rooting for. If it ain't the Skins playin'...I am there for the commercials! LOL

Snack Well!

Brownies on Steroids?

The Incredible Hulk of Brownies needs to be put in a glass jail for your safety?

Um, that is a definite YES....for the safety of your waistline....keep under lock and key. I found this recipe on the Cutting Edge of Ordinary. I saw them and said "these look a lot like those Magic 7 layer bars made with sweetened condensed milk".... Sure enough...they are. OH MAN a chocolate version of an already decadent bar cookie? My waistline is in TROUBLE.

I was in trouble alright when I was in the middle of making it and realized what I thought was sweetened condensed milk in the pantry was evaporated milk. OH SNAP! Quick run to the computer to look up how to make your own sweetened condensed milk (I'd seen it before yet never tried it).

These babies are rich. See the size of these squares?....Half of that will suffice a sweet tooth.... unless you are having a super stressful day, then eat TWO big ones.

Death by Black Magic Bars
adapted from Lisa's The Cutting Edge of Ordinary recipe

1 & 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup confectioner’s sugar
1/3 cup baking cocoa (I used the Hershey's Dark)
3/4 cup cold butter (1 & 1/2 sticks), cut into 1-inch squares
14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk *(see recipe for emergency below)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup Coconut Cream Hershey's Kisses, chopped
1 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup coarsely chopped toasted pecans
1/2 cup shredded, sweetened coconut
1/3 cup English toffee bits or Heath Bar bits (toffee with chocolate)

Oven to 350. In a food processor, combine the flour, sugar and cocoa. Add the butter and pulse just until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press into the bottom of a well-greased 13×9″ baking dish. Bake on center rack at 350 for 10 minutes.

While crust is baking, combine condensed milk, vanilla extract and 1 cup of chopped Coconut Cream kisses in heavy-bottomed saucepan and cook over low-medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth. When crust has cooked for 10 minutes, remove from oven and pour chocolate mixture directly over crust, spreading gently with a spatula if necessary.

Sprinkle top with coconut, nuts, heath bar bits and 1 cup chocolate chips. Press down to set, and return brownies to oven to continue baking at 350 for 18-20 minutes. Remove from oven, allow to cool, and cut into squares of desired size.

*For the rare emergency that you don't have Sweetened Condensed Milk when you need it....

Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk

Ingredients:
3/4 C. sugar
1/2 C. water
1 C. plus 2 T. powdered milk

Preparation:
Combine all ingredients. Heat to boiling. Cook until thick, this will take 15 to 20 minutes.
This equals one can.

Notes:
This is a great way to make this milk, especially if your recipe calls for it and you don't have any in the house. It is lot cheaper to make it this way, and it does work nicely for baked goods.

Thanks Lisa.....awesome recipe! I made sure I brought some to work and gave some to my neighbor for no way I was letting all that BLACK MAGIC hit my hips! Besides....it's good to share. Thanks for sharing Lisa, you DA BEST!

Enjoy!

All-Bran® Bran Buds® Brownies

Yes, I know, hard to believe there is BRAN in here!

I promised some Brownies made with bran from the cereal I got from my Tastemaker samples and here they are....YUMMMMMMMMMMMM. So moist. If you think BRAN makes things DRY and all 'fibery' tasting....you are WRONG!

All-Bran® Bran Buds® Brownies
from all-bran.com

Ingredients
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup cocoa powder (I used Hershey's Dark)
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup All-Bran® Bran Buds®
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup margarine or butter, melted, cooled
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Directions
1. Stir together flour, salt and cocoa powder. Set aside.

2. In large mixing bowl, beat eggs until light. Add sugar gradually, beating until fluffy. Fold in KELLOGG'S ALL-BRAN cereal, vanilla and margarine. Fold in flour mixture and walnuts. Spread evenly in 8 x 8-inch pan coated with cooking spray.

3. Bake at 350° F about 30 minutes or until wooden pick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan.

Definitely being made AGAIN,

Fatty Finale?

Of course NOT! After I painstakingly cut the fat from my T-day side dishes did you really think I was going to blow it all on dessert? Nope, I remained strong.

Where I did compromise was on the sugar. OH well, you gotta find some middle ground.

Here is a yummy and moist peanut butter cup like dessert for you to try. The fat present is only in the peanut butter....whether you use all natural, creamy chunky, lower sugar or the peanut butter imposters....it's really all in the amount of your filling. Portion control!


No pudge Peanut Butter Cup Brownie Torte
(yes I know this title COULD be longer)

1 box No Pudge Brownie mix
yogurt, no sugar applesauce, or fat free coffee creamers
1/2 cup peanut butter
Hershey's Dark Chocolate Syrup

Mix no pudge brownie mix according to the directions. They call for using yogurt in your brownie mix you can use applesauce or a FF coffee creamer if you like.

Spray a tart pan with a removable bottom. Line that bottom with a coffee filter or parchment paper and spray again. Pour brownie mix into tart pan and bake according to box directions but shave about 10 minutes off the time and check with a cake tester/toothpick.

Remove from tart ring and let cool. Invert onto plate and peel off filter/paper. Cut circle in half and cut into 4 or 6 slices (repeat the same for the other half).

Microwave peanut butter to soften. Thin out with a bit of coffee creamer or milk if needed. Spread PB on slice and top with another slice. Drizzle Hershey's on top or just dust with powdered sugar.

Just amazingly delicious!!!!

Confessed Chocoholic,

Gobble it up!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!! It's nice to have the day before T-day off so I can do some pre-preparations for tomorrow.

So what are you guys making for your big day? Are you having tons of family, going away or having a small dinner at home? Last year K-man and I went to his mom's but this year it's a small quiet dinner for just the two of us. What is on your menu?

As some of you know already, I've been avoiding my blog a bit since I've been on a weight loss plan. Already 15 lbs gone in 3 weeks! YAY! So, not wanting to totally blow it out tomorrow a few things have the fat cut. It's really hard when your diet is NO FAT, NO SUGAR and NO SALT. I feel great but when I find recipes or products there is always something of those three that is present making it difficult to work around recipes or eating. But I think I found a good combo of foods (with K-man's input of what he wanted) to make our dinner a good one.

Here is what is in store for us tomorrow:

Turkey (cooked in a roasting bag)
Mashed Potatoes and gravy
Stuffing Balls
Green Bean Casserole
Corn Pudding
Pumpkin Custard
No Fat Brownie Tart

Stay tuned for the next few days to see how these recipes turned out and what I did to 'tweak' the fat contents. The links above were the spring board for the recipes I used and wanted to give my thanks for their initial recipes that gave me inspiration to have my holiday food and still be 'somewhat' good on my plan without going totally bonkers.


Gobble-gobble!

Get them while they're warm!

YAY! I wasted no time too.

I came home from work, saw my Naturally Nora giveaway package delivery at the door. Came inside, put my purse and totebag down, went to the kitchen to open my box and turned on the oven!

I am fan of Naturally Nora on Facebook and I entered the giveaway for her new product, brownie mix. I was so happy to have won. I absolutely love her cake mixes and frosting.

For those of you who may not be familiar with Naturally Nora her products are all natural ingredients. You know, flour, sugar , baking soda....no long scientific words that you can't pronounce or know what they are!

So I baked the Fudgy Brownies today. All you need to prepare them is:

1/2 cup water
1/3 cup oil
2 eggs

She has guidelines for the 13X9 pan, 9X9 pan and 8X8 pan. Otherwise known as thick, thicker and thickest. LOL She has different heating times for the different pans as well as different temperature and times for using a metal versus glass or foil pan.

I used the 13X9 pan and they turned out pretty thick!

I like to put 'stuff' on top of my brownies.....

You are seeing half pecans and half mini peanut butter cups (found at Trader's Joes)

Here are the pecan brownies....


And the peanut butter cup ones...


K-man was very happy when he saw I was baking brownies....I asked him to describe the brownie for me. He said that they looked 'cakey' yet when he bite into one...it was like butter. They melted in his mouth. I asked which one he liked better the pecans or peanut butter and he said "BOTH!" I rolled my eyes for that didn't help me.

My favorite was the pecan. For the toastiness of the nuts and the crunch definitely added something more.

Naturally Nora can be found at Whole Foods and online on Amazon (right now, the brownies aren't available but they will email you when they arrive).

Enjoy!

I am being stalked....

by my calendar....

THIS has been looming over me for the past month. Every time I checked something on my free calendar I got from Betty Crocker.com awhile back THIS luscious thing has been shouting at me...."MAKE ME! Come on....I know you wanna!"

Since we are going on vacation tomorrow I wanted something yummy to take with us. So I made these tonight.


Peanut Butter Truffle Brownies
from Betty Crocker.com

Brownie Base
1 box (1 lb 6.5 oz) brownie mix
(Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on box)

Filling
1 stick butter, softened
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
2 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons milk

Topping
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (I used the dark chocolate I had on hand)
1/2 stick of butter

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottom only of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray or shortening. (For easier cutting, line pan with foil, then grease foil on bottom only of pan.)

2. In medium bowl, stir brownie mix, water, oil and eggs until well blended (I added about a 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips to the batter.) Spread in pan. Bake 28 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted 2 inches from side of pan comes out almost clean. Cool completely, about 1 hour.

3. In medium bowl, beat filling ingredients with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Spread mixture evenly over brownie base.

4. In small microwavable bowl, microwave topping ingredients uncovered on High 30 to 60 seconds; stir until smooth. Cool 10 minutes; spread over filling. Refrigerate about 30 minutes or until set. For brownies, cut into 9 rows by 4 rows. Store covered in refrigerator.

Definitely peanut butter cup on CRACK! Moist fudgy brownie underneath the creamy peanut butter. K-man loves peanut butter cups....he is going to be soooooo surprised when I pull these out!

See you all in a week.....we are off to Virginia Beach...I am going to see if I can find where Cassie (from How to Eat a Cupcake) lives and see if she will make me something....I will trade for these brownies!

XXX Cookies!

If you are a fan of the Lipsmack here, you are well aware of my obsession with cake mix cookies. I've decided to give it a rest and try something new....BROWNIE MIX! Lololololollol. Gotcha! I've been so busy making K-man these citrus-y based cookies...I've been dying to have another chocolate one. Time for some chocolate porn!

Triple Chocolate Brownie Cookies

1 box family style brownie mix (I used Duncan Hines chewy fudge)
*about 2 eggs (I used egg beaters)
1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (plus more for tops)
1/2 cup chocolate chips
3/4 cup coarsely chopped chocolate wafers cookies (mine were little chocolate cats from Trader Joe's)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place mix in a large bowl. Add your walnuts, chips and chopped cookies to fully distribute through the brownie mix.

The brownie mix was already using 2 eggs and 1/2 cup oil plus 1/4 cup water. I know I didn't want/need the water but I wanted to ensure that my brownie batter was going to be stiff enough....So here is the tricky part:

*I filled my 1/2 cup with egg beaters A LITTLE LESS than 1/2 cup. Pour onto mix. Place 1/2 cup of oil in mix. Slowly stir to see how it comes together. You want a stiff dough. I know I added just a splash more of the oil/egg until it came together as I wanted.


Use your small cookie disher or ice cream scoop to form into balls.

I then took each ball and dunked them into more chopped walnuts. Just half of it. Flip the ball over and....





Place onto cookie sheet and use hand to slightly press down. The nuts help to keep the dough from sticking to your fingers.

Bake for 10 minutes. If you eat one right out of the oven, you will think the middle is not done yet...but as they sit, they will firm up. You don't want to over cook them!

See? You want them fudgey and gooey in the middle!

Got milk?

Sunday Blues - Week #3

No blues today!!! Why you ask? Well brownies certainly UNblue anyday AND because I don't work tomorrow (MLK holiday) or the next day for it's Inauguration day. Whhheeeeeeeee!!! I know many of you don't have that day off but me living in VA, all the bridges are closed going into and from DC and our teachers would have difficulty arriving to work. Our school is also very close to the Pentagon and the beltway, so traffic is going to be 'hellish'. The superintendent claimed 'emergency' closure (kinda like what he does for snow days and since we haven't USED any days for snow....)
Back to the brownies....
Do you have these in your stores? They are great. NO Pudge Fudge Brownie Mix. They provide the mix and you just add a contain the yogurt (flavor of your choice) The are moist and fudgy, fat free and only 2 WW points! I can still feel like it's the holidays!!

Now, if you don't have this brand in your stores you can use a regular family size brownie mix and blend in the food processor a whole can of black beans (juice and all) mix them together and bake as the box instructs. Cut the 9X13 pan into 24 and those brownies are only 2 points as well. And I SWEAR, you won't taste the black beans at all!!! I know this because I demonstrated this brownie recipe with my students. Due to time restraints I made the brownies beforehand. Told them I was demonstrating brownies (insert cheering) and I handed them each a brownie. Snarf....gobble, slurp. Then as I am going through the ingredients I whip out the can of black beans I am going to use and inform them why I am using it (better nutrition, more fiber, lower calories, etc). You should have seen their faces. You would have thought I told them I have POISIONED each of those brownies!!!!

Of course afterward I had say to them..."Now, why are you all acting like that? Not one of you have your brownie left, you scarfed them down, not one of you said, that these taste funny. Didn't they taste good? (insert sheepish faces saying quietly 'yes, Ms. MacK) That should tell you something, that just because you try something and don't like it doesn't mean it will forever always taste bad!!!" [I use the pizza comparison: Do all pizzas taste alike, restaurant, frozen, homemade? No, you eat the ones you prefer the taste of] I asked if some of them would have tried the brownie if I had told them prior that black beans were in the brownies. Some said "NO!!" They learned my lesson intended...don't pre-judge...always try....then make your decision.


SO as I am pre-planning my blog in my head...I realized that you have another alternative that I use with my students. What is great about this recipe is that the CONTROL factor. You know how after the brownies are made you you just are so enamored by the smell, the texture, the taste that you aren't putting them in the freezer (like you said in your head) and after a few days they are all gone? Or you can't get your kids from eating the brownies so quickly (I know, I know....but they will get stale and dry, LOL). I use this recipe with my students to help demonstrate moderation and self-control. To have one brownie every so often and be happy. Or have a friend over on Saturday and make brownies just for the two of you.

Microwave Brownie Cups

2 Tablespoons of brownie mix

1 Tables spoon of liquid (water, milk, soda, yogurt)

Place measured brownie mix in a custard cup or microwaveable small dish. Stir in the 1 Tbsp. of liquid of your choice. Place in microwave and heat on high for 30 seconds. Take out of microwave carefully from top not bottom and place a scoop of ice cream or whipped cream....jazz it up with chopped nuts, sprinkles, caramel sauce....however you'd like.

Of course, I have to explain that they ASK for permission from Mom to open a box of brownie mix and immediately put it in a ziploc bag, mark it Microwave brownies. Keep it in the fridge and pull it out when you get the 'brownie jones' I didn't want my students being sneaky and opening the brownie mixes at home and leaving a hole and Mom coming to it later (screaming child's full name here). My students love making their own individual brownie. Especially when the class occurs during 1st period and they think they are being bad by having brownies for breakfast!!! Breakfast of Champions I say!!!