The best thing we can all do for our kitchens right now is to whip up a batch of brownies. Fight winter’s frosty climes with these chocolatey delights. They’ll spread much-needed warmth around the house in no time. 100% guaranteed. The sweet scent of warmed chocolate, sugar, and fat wafting in the air will turn any frown upside down. What are we waiting for? Let’s do this.
These paleo brownies are adapted from the Mexican brownies recipe in Becky’s cookbook, Paleo Planet. A few months ago, I got Becky’s beautiful cookbook in the mail, and I’ve been slowly cooking my way through her recipes. I have been a big fan of Becky’s blog, A Calculated Whisk, and I’m so glad that she came out with a paleo cookbook! Flipping through the pages of the book is like taking a trip around the world with our tastebuds. There’s over 125 mouth-watering recipes that are inspired by different world cuisines. I’m particularly in love with her Peruvian roast chicken, bi bim bánh bowl, and smoky sweet potato latkes. I just wish I had this book when I was on the Whole30!
I decided to make Becky’s Mexican brownies for the blog because good paleo dessert recipes can be difficult to find sometimes. I lightened the original recipe by substituting 3 tablespoons of ghee for unsweetened applesauce. On a scale from cakey to fudgy, these brownies are more on the cakey side because of the applesauce. The texture is lighter than your average brownie, which is exactly what I wanted. I also took out the cayenne pepper from the original recipe because the savory flavor threw me off a bit.
These brownies are incredibly easy to make, so make a batch soon!
MASTER MY MISTAKES / COOKING NOTES
- Use eggs at room temperature: Using room temperature eggs helps the ingredients blend together better. For one of my test batches, I used eggs straight out of the fridge. When I mixed it with the melted ghee, some of it solidified again, and I found small clumps of ghee in my batter. To get the eggs to be room temperature, leave them out overnight or place the eggs in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Use a greased spatula to spread batter: The batter is pretty thick, so you’ll want to use a greased spatula to help spread the batter to the edges of the pan. Cooking spray works well for this.
- Don’t bother using an electric mixer: I tested out a batch that I mixed using an electric mixer, and the brownies were too airy for me. Mixing all the ingredients with a wooden spoon will do the trick.
- Don’t forget to sift ingredients: I find almond flour and cocoa powder tends to be pretty clumped up, so I like to sift those ingredients whenever I bake with them. The batter came out more evenly mixed when I sifted the ingredients.
If you try this recipe, let me know how it goes by leaving a comment or sending me a message! Or take a photo of the food and tag me on Instagram so that I can give you a fist bump. I love seeing your creations!
PrintSpiced Paleo Brownies
Recipe adapted from Paleo Planet.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 28 minutes
- Total Time: 38 minutes
- Yield: 12 1x
- Category: dessert, paleo, gluten free
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup (90g) almond flour
- 2/3 cup (70g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup (30g) tapioca flour or starch
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/8 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 cup + 1 TBS (30ml) ghee
- 3 TBS unsweetened applesauce
- 1 cup (145g) coconut sugar
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup walnut halves
- cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (160 degrees C). Place walnut halves in a baking dish and bake for 8 minutes. Chop walnuts when they are cool enough to handle.
- Increase oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an 8×8-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Line it with a sheet of parchment paper.
- Sift almond flour and cocoa powder into a medium bowl. Mix in tapioca flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, and salt.
- Place ghee in a small bowl and melt in the microwave for 20 seconds. Pour melted ghee into a large bowl. Add applesauce, sugar, eggs, and vanilla, and mix until smooth. Pour dry ingredients into the bowl and stir until just incorporated.
- Pour batter into prepared pan. Spray a spatula with cooking spray, and use it to spread batter to the edges. Tap baking dish on your counter a few times so that the batter settles more evenly in the pan. Top batter with chopped walnuts. Bake for 28 to 33 minutes, rotating halfway through. I baked it for 28 minutes.
- Let brownies cool in pan for about 10 minutes and transfer to cooling rack to cool completely. Cut into 9 or 16 squares. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. They taste great the next day!
Disclosure: The links to Becky Winkler’s Paleo Planet are affiliate links.
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
I’ve always loved the combo of chocolate and spice, even better when it comes in the form of paleo brownies!
Lisa says
Thanks, Gina!
[email protected] Athletic Avocado says
I love the use of spices in here! These look so delcious!
Lisa says
Thanks, Rachel!!
Naureen Stone says
What do you think about use coconut oil in place of the ghee?
Would you use the same amount?
Thanks,
Naureen
Lisa says
Hi Naureen, it’s funny because I was just thinking about making a version with coconut oil. I think it would work with coconut oil in the same amount. Be sure to use room temperature eggs because coconut oil solidifies even quicker than ghee.
Liz @ The Clean Eating Couple says
These look delicious!! Pinning so I can try over the weekend 🙂
Lisa says
Thanks, Liz!
Amanda Paa says
becky’s book is great! i made the paleo dutch baby with apples from it and we inhaled it for brunch. but now i need to try the brownies! i love the last photo you took, holding them. xo
Lisa says
Yea! I need to try that recipe soon!
Denise @ Sweet Peas & Saffron says
Wow, they look so deep and rich! Hard to believe they’re paleo! YUM!
Lisa says
Thank you, Denise!!
Catherine says
Dear Lisa, these look fabulous! That little bit of spice is just what brownies need…I cannot wait to try that next time. Beautiful dessert…pinning for later. xo, Catherine
Lisa says
Thanks, Catherine!!
Sonali- The Foodie Physician says
I like your way of thinking! I need to whip up a batch of these brownies now to chase away the winter blues! They look great and I love cakey brownies so I think I’ll be making these soon 🙂
Lisa says
Thank you, Sonali!!
Lexi says
These brownies are unbelievable! They’re very moist and chocolatey- they taste like full-on non-Paleo brownies. Thanks for the recipe!!
PS I used a little less cinnamon and a little less ginger- perfectly spicy.
Lisa says
Thank you so much for trying out the recipe and for leaving a comment, Lexi!! I’m so glad you liked them!
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
I’ve tried paleo brownies once before but they were store bought.. definitely inspired by this recipe to try it out. I love anything almond meal as it always makes baked goods SO moist. Xx
Lisa Lin says
Thank you, Thalia! Yup, that’s why I love baking with almond flower!
Katie says
Hi Lisa! I’ve made these twice now – they’re incredible! We’ve been putting them in the freezer – they’re really good cold and a little chewier – plus then you can hold on to them longer. 🙂
★★★★★
Lisa Lin says
Katie!!! I’m so happy that you like the brownies!! Thanks for the tip about freezing them! I have to try that next time!
Cheryl says
I have never baked with almond flour. Potato starch is the new superfood. Do you think it could sub for tapioca? Thanks.
Lisa Lin says
Hi Cheryl! I haven’t tried using potato starch in this recipe, but I think it will work. Let me know how it goes!
Becky Winkler (A Calculated Whisk) says
Lisa, I am not sure how I missed this!! Thank you so much. I’m thrilled you enjoyed the brownies and love your modifications. I’m going to add walnuts next time I make these. Your photos are so gorgeous!
Lisa Lin says
No worries, Becky!! I LOVE your cookbook and cook from it often! Thank you for your kind words!
Crystal Hamilton says
What is the ratio for if I wanted to use monkfruit sugar instead of coconut sugar? These look great!
Lisa Lin says
Hi, Crystal! I don’t cook with monkfruit sugar, so I cannot say what the ratio would be. Have you converted other recipes before?
Crystal says
I usually make my bf paleo or keto friendly sweets. I made these today and they turned out amazing. I accidently used baking powder and used baking soda too, but I will use a paleo friendly version next time. Love the brownies. Thank you for the recipe!!!
★★★★★
Lisa Lin says
Thank you so much for making it, Crystal! So glad you enjoyed it!
Anna says
Do you think a flax egg would work here?
These look amazing
Lisa Lin says
I think so. It’ll bind everything together.