Healthy Double Chocolate Walnut Brownies with Almond Flour

This information sets my baker’s heart rejoicing!

Healthy Walnut Brownies

Something amazing about brownies is their flexibility. There are brownies with all manner of dried fruit, extracts, caramel, chocolate sauces, marshmallows, chili powder…basically, any flavor under the sun!

Nuts are one of the best additions, in my opinion. What I especially love about mixing nuts into brownies is the crunch and texture that they lend to the smooth batter.

And of all nuts, walnuts are, in my opinion, one of the best choices for brownies. Not only do they tend to be softer and easier to chew in their whole form than some other nuts are (consider almonds, for example!), but they also do not overwhelm the flavor of the brownies.

In regard to their healthiness, “[s]cientists from Pennsylvania told the American Chemical Society that walnuts contain the highest level of antioxidants compared to other nuts” (source). In other words, these nuts pack some serious nutrition.

Making Brownies with Walnuts

Here are some tips for success for using walnuts in your brownie recipe:

• Chop the walnuts into fine pieces so that, while adding texture, they do not disrupt the smooth brownie experience.
• Experiment with walnut flavors. Use plain, whole walnuts. Try healthy versions of candied walnuts.
• Use some in the batter and some to top the brownies. Doing so adds some walnut to every bite, provides beautiful decoration, and gives a helpful announcement of their presence to anyone who might have an allergy.

Tools Needed for This Healthy Brownies Recipe

• Spatula
• Mixing bowl
• Stand mixer (not required, but extremely helpful)
• 9″x9″ glass baking dish

Ingredients for Healthy Double Chocolate Walnut Brownies with Almond Flour

• 1 cup organic almond flour
• 1/4 cup raw cacao powder
• 4 Tbsp. dark cacao powder (Dutch-processed)
• 1/2 tsp. Himalayan pink salt
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/3 cup raw honey
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup cold-pressed virgin coconut oil
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1 Tbsp. organic whole milk
• 2 Tbsp. unsweetened Greek yogurt
• 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

How to Make Healthy Walnut Brownies

1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Lightly grease a 9″x9″ glass baking dish and set aside.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, sift together almond flour, raw cacao powder, Dutch-processed cacao powder, Himalayan pink salt, baking powder, and ground cinnamon. Mix well.
3. In the bowl of a stand mixer, add coconut oil, peanut butter, honey, and vanilla extract and mix until all ingredients are fully incorporated, with no lumps. Add eggs, milk, and yogurt. Mix only until the ingredients are just incorporated; do not over-mix.
4. Mix in the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients until fully incorporated.
5. Fold in half the chopped walnuts and dark chocolate chips (1/4 cup each).
6. Spread the brownie batter into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining chopped walnuts and dark chocolate chips evenly over the top.
7. Bake for 15 minutes for fudgy, gooey brownies. The center might look slightly not set. Remove from the oven. Let cool completely before slicing and serving.

How to Store Healthy Double Chocolate Walnut Brownies

Keep these scrumptious brownies at room temperature in an airtight glass container for up to 5 days.

If needed (or desired), you can also store the brownies in the freezer. Just use an airtight freezer-safe bag and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

More Recipes for Chocolate-Lovers

Try these delicious, healthy chocolate snack recipes next:

• Healthy Double Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies (High Protein)
• Healthy Homemade Coconut Oil Dark Chocolate Bites (Sugar-Free, Dairy-Free)
• Healthy Chocolate Brownie Muffins (Almond Flour, High Protein)
• Healthy No-Bake Double Chocolate Granola Bars