Best Birthday Brownies

Let’s cut the crap (if you want to read some nutritional stuff, scroll down.) Here’s what you’ll need to bake these bad boy brownies:

• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 cup butter/margarine melted (look for margarine without trans fat)
• 1/8 cup all purpose flour
• 1/8 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/3 cup (heaping) cocoa powder
• 1 pinch of salt
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (optional)
• Zest of one orange (optional)

1. In a mixing bowl beat sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Add melted butter and mix well.
2. Combine dry ingredients in another bowl and mix
3. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, add chocolate chips and mix until just combined
4. Pour batter into a greased 8 inched square baking pan
5. Bake in oven at 350F for 25 minutes (for gooier brownies check a few minutes earlier)
6. Check done-ness with wooden toothpick

Nutritionally, these are not a “healthified” brownie in my book.
Originally the recipe called for all AP flour and 1 full cup of sugar.
My husband can’t tell the difference when I use 50/50 whole wheat/AP flour, and he also can’t tell when I’ve reduced the sugar to 3/4 cup.
I didn’t want to mess up the texture and taste of the brownie to make it “healthy”. Sometimes, we’re allowed to enjoy a real brownie!!

If you’re ready to get into the Mini Meals Mindset at snack time, sign up below for my Snack Staples List and join my NIFTY community (NIFTY = Nutrition Info + Feeding Tips for You!)