Chocolatey Flaxseed Brownies Recipe

By Laura Dolson
Updated November 05, 2018
3 brownies on a table
Jack Andersen / Getty Images
Total Time: 55 min
Prep Time: 20 min
Cook Time: 35 min
Servings: 32

Nutrition Highlights (per serving)

127 calories
9g fat
10g carbs
3g protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 32
Amount per serving  
Calories 127
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 9g 12%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Cholesterol 34mg 11%
Sodium 132mg 6%
Total Carbohydrate 10g 4%
Dietary Fiber 3g 11%
Total Sugars 6g  
Includes 5g Added Sugars 10%
Protein 3g  
Vitamin D 0mcg 0%
Calcium 55mg 4%
Iron 1mg 6%
Potassium 120mg 3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Who would think brownies can be nutritious and delicious? These brownies include flaxseed meal instead of flour, making them healthy, lower in carbohydrates, and gluten-free. And the agave syrup, cocoa powder, and unsweetened chocolate create a rich, chocolatey treat while keeping the brownie naturally sweetened.

If you like a more bittersweet brownie, however, you can cut down on the agave syrup. Note that these really take on a brownie texture the day after you make them. And the most interesting part? They taste so amazing you wouldn't even think they have a good amount of fiber and omega-3s, which comes from the flaxseeds.

Although this recipe uses the typical 9x13 pan, it makes 32 brownies—so don't be turned off by some of the ingredient amounts.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter (unsalted
  • 3/4 cup agave syrup (or to taste, divided)
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 4 large eggs (room temperature)
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate (melted and cooled)
  • 2 cups flaxseed meal
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/3 cup heavy cream
  • 2/3 cup water

Preparation

  1. Heat oven to 350 F and coat a 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray. Set aside.

  2. In a large bowl, cream the butter until fluffy. Add 1/2 cup agave syrup and beat again until light and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla.

  3. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Add the cocoa powder and salt and beat well.

  4. Add the melted and cooled unsweetened chocolate and beat until fluffy.

  5. Add the flaxseed meal, baking powder, cream, water, and up to 1/4 cup additional agave syrup if the batter needs it (some unsweetened chocolate is more bitter than others).

  6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 35 to 40 minutes until top springs back. (You also can test if they're ready by sticking a toothpick in the brownies. If it comes out clean, or almost-so, they're done.)

  7. Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack and then cut into 32 squares. If you cheat and eat one warm, know that the texture will be different once completely cool. That's when they become like real brownies. (They are even better the next day.)

Benefits of Flaxseed

Described as "one of the most powerful plant foods on the planet," flaxseed is loaded with health benefits. It is high in both soluble and insoluble fiber, lignans, which have antioxidant qualities, as well as omega-3 essential fatty acids, which have heart-healthy effects.

Research has shown that flaxseed may lower blood pressure, and reduce the risk of heart disease, lung disease, and certain cancers—studies suggest that flaxseed may ward off colon, breast, and prostate cancers.

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