After being on a VERY strict Specific Carbohydrate Diet for 5 and a half years, we finally decided that we could try adding a few new foods back into Kylie’s diet. Chocolate was her first request! I researched what foods others on a modified SCD diet had success with, and cocoa powder seemed to get good reports. Kylie was thrilled!! And I knew exactly what I had to make her: these butternut squash avocado brownie bites!
When I had my meal prep business, these were consistently one of the top ordered items. These are the BEST healthy brownies you will ever eat. And no one could believe that squash and avocado were the main ingredients. I found the recipe originally from The Real Food Dietitians, who use sweet potato as one of their main ingredients. As sweet potato is not allowed on the SCD diet, we decided to give it a try with butternut squash. And they were delicious! I have also used acorn squash and pumpkin: all SCD legal and all a success.
An added bonus: We were even lucky enough to stumble upon Hu Chocolate Chips– a chocolate chip made WITHOUT sugar. They are made with only 4 ingredients and sweetened with dates. That’s right, a whole food chocolate chip!
These little brownies make the perfect after dinner treat, though they are healthy enough to have with a cup of coffee in the morning. Whether you are on a sugar-free diet, a modified SCD diet, or just love delicious chocolate brownies, this recipe is for you!!
For these brownies or any grain-free baking, silicone muffin liners or parchment paper liners are a MUST! Believe me, it will save you lots of headaches and clean up time.
In grain-free baking, butternut or acorn squash are so versatile. They are a perfect substitute for pumpkin and have more natural sweetness, too. If you enjoy pumpkin bread, you must also try this recipe for The Best Coconut Flour Pumpkin Bread. To save time, I roast 1 or 2 squashes at a time, portion out 1/2 to 1 cup portions in glass containers, and FREEZE them. When it’s time for a batch of these brownies, you now have the cooked squash portion ready to go!
These rich chocolate brownies are loaded with flavor AND nutrients! Butternut Squash (and Acorn Squash) are both packed with vitamin A, potassium, fiber, and antioxidants. Avocados are well known for their amazing health benefits, containing heart healthy omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamins C, E, K, and B6, potassium, fiber, and more. These yummy treats are a treat for your immune system, too. Ok, my mouth is watering. Let’s get baking!
You will never believe that these rich chocolatey brownies are grain-free, sugar-free, dairy-free and made with real whole food ingredients. These are husband, kid and friend approved and one of the most requested snacks I make!
Ingredients
Scale
1/2 cup butternut or acorn Squash cooked and mashed
1/3 cup avocado mashed (about 3/4 large avocado)
2 eggs
1/4 cup honey
2 Tbsp coconut oil
3 Tbsp coconut flour
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp baking Soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 cup chocolate chips (we use Hu sugar-free baking chips)
Instructions
Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
Prepare mini muffin tin with 24 silicone or parchment paper liners.
Place all ingredients except chocolate chips in a food processor or blender and blend until completely smooth.
Stir in chocolate chips with a spoon or spatula.
Using a regular spoon, divide the batter into the 24 mini muffin cups.
Bake at 350 degrees for 15-16 minutes. Remove from the oven when they are just firm to the touch. Do not over bake.
Remove delicious chocolatey bites from the oven and let them sit for 10 minutes in the pan.
Remove the brownies from the pan and allow them to cool completely on a cooling rack. These bites will firm up as they cool.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, if they last that long!
Notes
* Brownies should be “set up” when you remove them from the oven, but they will still be soft. They will firm up as they cool in the muffin tin.
* Brownies taste even better as they rest. We actually enjoy them the most chilled, right out of the fridge!
* Brownies freeze well. Just allow them to thaw for a couple hours on the counter or several hours in the fridge when you are ready to eat them. Enjoy!
Love a healthy brownie!!
★★★★★
A family favorite!
★★★★★