ALMOND BUTTER BROWNIES WITH DATE CARAMEL
Because corner brownie is always best -crispy on the outside, fudgy in the middle- this past week Andrew and I made a batch of these individual Almond Butter Brownies with Date Caramel, for Indie’s first birthday celebration. Alongside cake, we wanted a treat that felt really indulgent and special, one that was portable (no plate required), and one that left our friends feeling nourished and satisfied. Using almond butter, maple, cacao, and a chocolate bone broth protein, these paleo almond brownies were just the thing! Eye popping, crispy on the outside (the magic of using a muffin pan!), and deeply fudgy in the middle. Check, check! We even topped them with a simple, no-cook date caramel. Extra? Perhaps, but it totally made it! The only downside: no leftovers. Here’s how to make them.
ALMOND BUTTER BROWNIES WITH DATE CARAMEL
MAKES 12 BROWNIES
INGREDIENTS
2 cups almond butter, divided
2 large eggs
1 cup + 2 tbs. maple, divided
4 teaspoons vanilla, divided
6 tablespoons cacao powder
2 tablespoons chocolate protein powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon sea salt
2 tablespoons coconut oil
1 tablespoon almond milk
2 medjool dates, pitted
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F, rack in the middle. Lightly coat a 12-well silicone muffin pan with coconut oil (I use this one, and wouldn’t recommend any other).
In a large bowl, whisk together 1 ¾ cups almond butter, eggs, 1 cup maple and 1 tablespoon vanilla until mixture is smooth and well combined. Fold in cacao, protein, baking soda and sea salt. Divide batter amongst prepared wells, tapping to settle. Bake for 26 minutes, until baked through. Allow brownies to cool completely before removing from pan.
Meanwhile, make the caramel. In a high-speed blender, whiz remaining ¼ cup almond butter, remaining 2 tablespoons maple, and remaining teaspoon vanilla with coconut oil, almond milk, dates, and a pinch of sea salt. Caramel should be thick and smooth.
Once brownies have cooled, top each with a heaping dollop of prepared caramel.