
Brownie bites
Makes 20
Ingredients:
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180g light cholesterol spread
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175g unrefined brown sugar (or sweetening equivalent such as blitzed up Medjool dates)
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3 tbsp high grade maple syrup
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2 eggs
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100g cocoa powder or raw cacao if making a vegan batch
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80g wholemeal plain flour
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1/2 tsp baking powder
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Splash of vanilla extract
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80g of chopped nuts (I like to mix pecans and walnuts)
Method:
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Preheat the oven to 180 fan.
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Beat the butter and the sugar together in a big bowl until well combined.
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Add in the egg and beat well to combine. I just use a wooden spoon and a bowl for all this, it doesn't need to be elaborate.
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Add the vanilla and the cocoa and beat to a sumptuous chocolatey goo.
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Add the flour, baking powder and nuts and stir to combine. Don't beat too much now or it'll get tough.
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Spoon into a greased cake tin. I use a couple of loaf tins so you get more edges, but a round 9-inch cake tin or a square 8-inch will work nicely, too.
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Bake for 20-25 minutes. I like mine fudgy in the middle but set on top so I take it out after 20.
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Leave to cool completely in the tin and then cut into 20 even pieces, lever out with a pallet knife and enjoy.

Health
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Walnuts are excellent for your heart as they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
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There is some sugar in this recipe, but not much. It translates to about 5/6% of your recommended daily carbohydrate allowance. If you rather avoid sugar, it can be replaced with a lower GI alternative, such as dates or syrups. If using a wet ingredient, be mindful you may need an additional 10-20g of flour.
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Cocoa is thought to be quite a nice source of antioxidants called flavonoids, which might play a hand in 'relaxing' blood vessels.
