Pumpkin Cocoa Brownie

Written by: Kerby Hukom

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Time to read 1 min

Prep time: 20 mins

Servings: 4 pers

Cook time: 30-40 mins

Category: Snack

Origin: Middle East

INGREDIENTS

  • 1/2 cup packed pitted dates
  • 1 1/2 cups whole spelt flour
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/3 cup pumpkin seed butter
  • 1/2 cup García de la Cruz Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil plus more to oil pan, warmed
  • 3/4 cup pure maple syrup
  • 3/4 cup pure maple sugar or cane sugar
  • 1/3 cup plain soy milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 3 1/2 ounces dark chocolate coarsely chopped and divided
  • 1/4 cup shelled pumpkin seeds. Make them at home following these easy steps.
  • Sea salt

 

DIRECTIONS

    • Place dates in a medium bowl and cover with boiling water. Let soak for 20 minutes or until softened, then drain well.
    • Preheat oven to 350F. Line a 9x13 pan with parchment paper; brush paper and sides of pan lightly with García de la Cruz Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and set aside.
    • Sift flour, cocoa powder, and baking powder into a medium bowl; whisk to combine and set aside.
    • Place pumpkin butter butter, warm García de la Cruz Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil and drained dates in a food processor; blend until smooth. It's okay if a few small date pieces are not blended.
    • Add maple syrup, maple sugar, soy milk, salt and vanilla and process until smooth.
    • Pour into sifted flour mixture, and stir with a rubber spatula until almost combined. Reserve 2 tablespoons chopped chocolate and stir remaining chocolate into batter, being careful not to overmix.
    • Transfer batter to prepared pan and spread out evenly. Sprinkle with pumkin seeds, remaining chocolate (optional), and a large pinch of sea salt.
    • Bake for 25-27 minutes or until edges pull away from sides of pan and a toothpick inserted into centre comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
    • For best results, refrigerate until completely cold before cutting.