Perfect Sprouted Flour Brownies

Brownies, the quintessential American dessert.  You can make them much healthier by using pastured eggs, grass-fed butter, sprouted flour — so much better for you than using factory farm eggs, vegetable oil and refined white flour.

If you’re going to make brownies, make this healthier version. When you’re craving a chocolately treat, these brownies are perfection.

I know you are going to love them!

Recipe Notes

This recipe was modified from the “All-American Fudge-Chunk Brownies” recipe in Richard Sax’s fabulous and essential cookbook, Classic Home Desserts.

If you don’t have this cookbook, order it now.  The man is a genius.

If you are using sprouted flour, it is critical to add the extra egg or use some vital wheat gluten.  I tried it both ways.  Without the extra egg or vital wheat gluten, the brownies came out crumbly and dry.  With the extra egg/vital wheat gluten, the brownies were moist, a cross between cake and fudge, with a beautiful crackly top.

Sprouted Flour Brownies

Difficulty: Easy
Makes 15 brownies

Ingredients

Unsweetened chocolate (2 ounces)
Chocolate, semisweet (4 oz)
Butter, grass-fed, unsalted (4 oz) + extra butter for greasing the pan — where to buy butter
Sprouted flour (2/3 cup) — where to buy sprouted flour
Sea salt (1 pinch)
Eggs, pastured or free-range organic (2)
Vital wheat gluten (2/3 tsp) or use 1 extra egg
Palm sugar or sucanat (1 cup) — where to buy sweeteners
Vanilla extract, real, organic if possible (1 tsp) — see my post on how to make vanilla extract

Equipment

[easyazon-link asin=”B00004SZ7K” locale=”us”]8-inch square baking pan[/easyazon-link], ideally glass or stoneware

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
2. Lightly butter an 8-inch square baking pan. Set aside.
3. Melt the unsweetened chocolate, butter, and semi-sweet chocolate in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally.  Set aside.
4. Sift the sprouted flour (throw away the bran,) into a bowl.  Add the pinch of salt and 2/3 tsp vital wheat gluten.  Blend well and set aside.
5. In another bowl, beat the eggs with an electric mixer (or a whisk) for a few minutes, until frothy.  Gradually beat in the sugar.  Add the vanilla.
6. Fold in the melted chocolate.  Fold in the flour/salt mixture and blend.
7. Pour the batter into the greased pan and smooth the top.
8. Bake until a toothpick comes out almost clean, about 25 minutes.
9. Place the pan on a wire rack or trivet and let cool completely. Do not cut until completely cool.

Photo credit:  jeffreyw on Flickr