Fudging it.

I've not been feeling too flash the past couple of days.  In years gone by I would have indulged in a bar of Dairy Milk or baked some brownies for the ultimate comfort food.

I still love a good brownie, but most recipes have a ton of sugar.  So I wanted to have a bash at making a healthier version which didn't resemble chewy cardboard.

My recipe here is sweetened with dates and has no added sugar. The dates also make the brownies really fudgy. Admittedly there is some sugar in the dark chocolate chips but it would work perfectly well without these. 

Chocolate Fudge Brownies

1 cup ground almonds

2 and 1/2 cups dates

About 500ml boiling water 

1/2 cup dark cocoa

1tsp vanilla extract

175g soft butter 

1 tsp baking soda

3 eggs

1 cup dark choc chips (optional)

Preheat oven to 170C

Put the dates in a large heat proof bowl with the baking soda. Pour over the boiling water until the dates are just covered. Leave to soak for about 10 minutes to soften. 

Grind almonds in food processor (or use pre ground if you prefer). Add the cocoa and whizz to mix well.

Strain the dates. Discard the water and add the dates to the food processor and blitz. Then add the eggs, butter and vanilla.  Blitz until really well mixed. 

Mix in the chocolate chips by hand. Transfer to a 30x23cm tin (lined with paper), and spread out the mixture.

Bake for 30 minutes. Turn the geat off and leave in the oven for 10 more minutes with the door ajar. 

Cut into squares when cool. The brownies should be moist and fudgy. Store in an air tight container.