Festive Chocolate Brownies

If you're tired from super sweet candy canes or bored to death of cinnamon spice (and all things nice) then this recipe is for you! Trust me I was so close to adding a dash of mixed spice or pumpkin pie spice, but I controlled my urges for the sake of keeping it simple and classic.

With all the unhealthy foods being digested this holiday, you'd expect this one to be too. HOWEVER, you are mistaken!  Sweet potatoes are incredible: they're bursting with nutritional goodness with all their antioxidants, and their anti-inflammatory properties, as well as being awesome blood sugar-regulators. Furthermore,  raw cacao is also a superfood as it is such an insanely rich source of antioxidants, one of the best in the world, as well as being packed with a number of other beneficial nutrients: manganese, which helps oxygenate the blood; magnesium, which helps maintain healthy bodily nerves, muscles and bones; and sulphur, which builds strong nails and hair, and promotes beautiful skin.

Not too sweet or spiced this brownie is:

• Gooey
• Soft
• Moist
• Squidgy 

*This recipe is adapted from Deliciously Ella

Ingredients: 

Mixture: 

– 2 medium to large sweet potatoes (600g)

– 2/3 of a cup of ground almonds (80g)

– 1/2 a cup of buckwheat or brown rice flour (100g)

– 14 medjool dates

– 4 tablespoons of raw cacao

– 3 tablespoons of pure maple syrup

– a pinch of salt

Optional Additions:

- Handful of chopped brazil nuts

- Handful of cranberries

- tsp of pumpkin seeds

- tsp zest of an orange

You'll also need a peeler and sharp knife. Preheat oven to 180C Fan.

Peel, chop and steam both potatoes until they're soft

In a separate bowl (while the potatoes are steaming) add the dry ingredients, then the maple syrup and mix well. 

Once the sweet potatoes are soft, add them to a food processor with the dates and blend till a smooth, rich paste is formed.

Add in the wet mixture to the dry chocolate bowl and combine together.

Add in the extras (I'd recommend) and stir in.

Add brownie mixture to a baking tray and smooth with a damp spatula. Then bake for 25-30 minutes until crisp on top. 

Once cooked, cut into 10 squares and dust with icing sugar & serve.

I found these went really well paired with some ice cream!

Hope you try out this recipe, have an amazing christmas and dig in...