Rich & Fudgy Chocolate Brownies

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Last week in the midst of feeling jet lagged and completely exhausted, I decided that I'd take a nap whenever Xavier did. I'm really glad I did that instead of attempt any writing work because I know none of it would have been good enough to publish. Since returning home from LA, I feel like I've been running on empty and thats mainly because I skipped an entire day of sleep and have been trying to make up for it with 1 hour snaps since!  

So I woke up from one of these naps with a major hankering for brownies. Not sure if I had been dreaming of them? Or if my body was just demanding sugar in any form... either way, I didn't waste any time and got to work making this old recipe I've had up my sleeve for years...

I used a good quality vegan dark chocolate as always in my baking and intentionally kept the recipe gluten and dairy free. There are lots of dark chocolate products you can purchase from the supermarket that are free if dairy. Just check the ingredients and make sure no milk solids are listed to be sure. I'm sure it would work using milk chocolate too, but if you choose to go with milk chocolate, lose the brown sugar (sweet overload!) I also reallllllly love the taste and texture that almond meal provides - not everyone is a huge fan, but I am hopeless for it! This is what makes these brownies so nutty, dense, rich and delicious!

Toddler approved and exactly what I needed with my afternoon coffee. 

Now pardon me while I sleep a little....

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Rich & Fudgy Chocolate Brownies

Makes 10

You will need:
180 grams almond meal
180 grams dairy free dark chocolate
100 grams coconut oil
2 eggs
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons powdered cacao
Pinch of salt

Method:
In a small saucepan over low heat, melt chocolate with coconut oil, brown sugar vanilla extract and salt - turn heat off as soon as all these ingredients have combined. Remember, you only want to combine the ingredients, not cook them.

Add almond meal, cacao and mix till combined, then whisk in eggs. 

Pour batter into a prepared slice or loaf tin (I used a wiltshire loaf baking tray) and bake on 160c for 30 mins or until skewer comes out mostly clean when inserted into the middle section of the brownie tray

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