Nutty Greenthumb Brownies

Nutty Greenthumb Brownies!

I haven't yet spoken to someone who dislikes brownies. Especially healthier brownies! These decadent bites have a cakey texture as well as a good crunch providing you with both sides of yummy! However, there is a surprising ingredient which causes you to get a little green...SPINACH! It's a great addition as you can't taste it but get extra nutrition - bonus (as long as you don't mind seeing a bit of greenery in your brownie)!

INGREDIENTS - Makes 9 bitesize brownies (increase recipe for more servings)

1/8 cup + 1 tbsp cacao (or unsweetened cocoa powder)

1/2 cup dates

1/2 cup almonds

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 tsp water

1.5 cups spinach, washed

1/4 cup apple sauce (unsweetened if available)

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp bicarbonate of soda

1/8 cup coconut flour (can use wholegrain flour but add a little at a time as it's denser)

1/2 tbsp herbalife personalised protein powder, formula 3

1 tbsp cream cheese/cottage cheese/total 0% fage yoghurt/milk (choose depending on your protein goals, what you like and what you have) :)

1 tbsp no added salt/sugar peanut butter

1. Heat oven to 175C. Blend the first 5 ingredients (my blender broke half way through so if you don't have a blender, use a sharpe knife to chop the almonds and dates as best you can, then mix them in a bowl with the rest).

2. If not already, pop the nut mixture in a small bowl. Blend the spinach, apple sauce, salt and bicarbonate of soda - add to bowl.

3. Mix the flour and protein powder, if using, in a seperate, medium bowl and add wet ingredients to dry.

Mix thoroughly!

4. Transfer into a loaf tin or small tray and shape to thickness desired. Pop in oven for 15 minutes then leave to cool.

5. Mix dairy topping of choice with peanut butter (or for a vegan option.....). Top brownies and refrigerate

for 10-15 minutes or eat straight away!

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days.

Enjoy!