Whole Grain Carob Brownies With Dates
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup chopped dates, lightly packed
- water (enough to fill the spaces between the dates in the measuring cup)
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1/3 cup brown rice flour
- 1/3 cup carob powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup oil (I used extra-virgin olive oil and extra-virgin sunflower oil)
- 1 -2 tablespoon molasses (I recommend unsulphured Blackstrap)
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 tablespoon rum (or other alcohol such as brandy or whisky)
- 1 teaspoon orange zest (optional)
- 1/3-1/2 cup carob chips (optional)
- 1/3-1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Lightly grease a 8“X8” pan.
- Put the dates and their water in a small saucepan.
- Bring to a boil, stirring often.
- When the dates look like a paste, remove from the heat.
- Put the bottom of the saucepan in cold water.
- In a medium bowl, sift together the flours, carob powder, baking powder and salt.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the cooled date paste, oil, molasses, water, vanilla and alcohol.
- Pour the liquid ingredients into the dry ones and stir. If using optional ingredients, only mix roughly. If not, mix well.
- If using, add the zest, chips, nuts and finish mixing.
- Pour the batter in the pan and spread it evenly with a spatula.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
