Guilt-Free Zucchini Brownie Bars

Discover the delicious world of Choco-Zucchini Bliss Bars, where health meets indulgence! This innovative dessert combines nutrient-rich zucchini with rich chocolate flavors, offering a sweet treat that's both satisfying and guilt-free. Learn how to incorporate wholesome ingredients like almond flour, natural sweeteners, and unsweetened cocoa powder for a delightful balance of taste and health. Perfect for all ages, these bars are an easy way to sneak in extra veggies while enjoying a chocolatey snack. Dive into this simple recipe and enjoy baking a dessert that's as nutritious as it is delicious!

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Ingredients

1 medium zucchini, grated (approximately 1 cup)

1 cup almond flour

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 cup maple syrup or honey

1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce

1/4 cup coconut oil, melted

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (optional for added richness)

1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional for crunch)

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring that there’s some overhang on the sides. This will make it easier to remove the bars once they’re baked.

Prepare the Zucchini: Grate the zucchini using a box grater or food processor. Once grated, place it in a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth and twist to remove excess moisture. This step is crucial to ensure your bars aren't too wet.

Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, pour in the melted coconut oil, maple syrup (or honey), applesauce, and crack in the eggs. Add the vanilla extract. Whisk all the ingredients together vigorously until the mixture is smooth and well-blended.

Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the almond flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Ensure that these dry ingredients are mixed thoroughly to avoid any clumps.

Combine Mixtures: Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, using a spatula or wooden spoon to fold them together gently. Avoid overmixing to maintain a tender texture. Finally, fold in the prepared zucchini, along with the dark chocolate chips and walnuts if desired, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.

Pour the Batter: Transfer the batter into the lined baking pan. Use a spatula to smooth the top and ensure even distribution.

Bake: Place the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs attached.

Cool: Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let the brownie bars cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Use the edges of the parchment paper to carefully lift the bars out of the pan and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Slice & Serve: After the bars have cooled, slice them into desired portions. These blissful bars can be enjoyed as a healthy treat or stored in an airtight container for up to a week.

Prep Time, Total Time, Servings: 15 mins | 40 mins | 9 bars

- Presentation Tips: Serve the bars on a wooden cutting board, dusted lightly with cocoa powder or powdered sugar for an elegant touch. Adding a small bowl of fresh berries on the side can enhance the plate's appeal!