DESSERTS

OLIVE OIL BROWNIES with ROASTED ALMONDS…Mmmmm delicious!

“Chocolate is the only aroma-therapy I need.”
Jasmine Heiler
olive+oil+brownies

There was nothing for the kids school snack box, so I thought I’d do a batch of sandwiches. Of course, the teen vetoed my idea & looked decidedly deadpan at the very suggestion. Why do I bother asking? That set me thinking. Rummaging through my blog, I decided to make a batch of these olive oil brownies for them the next morning. Lined everything up on the counter, roasted the almonds, & wound up for the night. DB+July+challenge2Was up early the next morning, as sleep abandoned me for some insane reason, & hit the kitchen. These brownies are a breeze to make, though they took longer than I estimated to cool down, thanks to an extended summer with high temperatures here. They did crumble a bit at the corners as I portioned them up too soon since it was time for the kids to leave. The slices would have looked neater if I had chilled them before cutting them up. They were delicious nevertheless, & are a fabulous healthy way to satisfy that chocolate craving.olive+oil+brownies2
If you are looking for butter laden, rich, dense brownies then these are not for you. But, if indulgence & counting calories are your kind of conflicting inclination, then these are right up your alley!! A long time ago I found these inviting Olive Oil Brownies by Sabra @ Cookbook Catchall. The recipe that comes from Faith Heller Willinger’s cookbook, Adventures of an Italian Food Lover is a twist on the traditional brownie in butter terms. The first time I made them, they were an entry for Equal Opportunity Kitchen who were doing their second round of their very successful first event Tried, Tested & True. olive+oil+brownies1I won a prize for these ♥ blush ♥, and am truly happy to be posting these again. I’ve used roasted almonds instead of pistachios this time around, & have stuck to my addition of some oats. The other change this time around is the addition of a teaspoon of baking powder. Take a look … they’ve got a beautiful crust, & are slightly, yet delightfully chewy within.DB+July+challenge
OLIVE OIL BROWNIES with ROASTED ALMONDS
Ingredients:
Dark / bitter chocolate – 100gms (melted; I melt it in the m/w)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil – 1/3 cup
Flour – 1/2 cup
Rolled Oats – 1/4 cup
Baking powder – 1 tsp
Sea salt – 1/4 teaspoon
Eggs – 2; at room temperature
Castor sugar – 2/3 cup (I used granulated)
Vanilla extract – 1 teaspoon
Roasted almonds – 2/3 cup; chopped (save some to sprinkle on top if you like)

Collages112Method:

  • Preheat the oven to 175C. Line a 7 X 11″ (or 8 X 8″) baking pan with lightly oiled and floured parchment paper that overhangs the pan on two sides (this aids in removal later).
    Whisk the oil into the melted chocolate. Leave to cool.
  • Whisk together the flour, oats, baking powder, salt and nuts together in a bowl.
  • In a large bowl, beat the eggs and sugar until pale, thickened and billowy, about five minutes. Fold in the vanilla and the cooled chocolate mixture, then fold in the flour & nut mixture, stirring just until everything is combined. Pour into the prepared pan and distribute evenly.
  • Bake for 22-26 minutes (note from the Traveler’s Lunchbox: I would recommend checking earlier to avoid over-baking – mine were just on the verge after 22 minutes). The top will be dry and crackly, though a toothpick inserted in the center should emerge still a little wet.
  • Cool completely, then cut into squares with a sharp knife held firmly, because of the almonds. Serve plain, or with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.

olive+oil+brownies3 1

♥ Thank you for stopping by ♥

About me: I am a freelance food writer, recipe developer and photographer. Food is my passion - baking, cooking, developing recipes, making recipes healthier, using fresh seasonal produce and local products, keeping a check on my carbon footprint and being a responsible foodie! I enjoy food styling, food photography, recipe development and product reviews. I express this through my food photographs which I style and the recipes I blog. My strength lies in 'Doing Food From Scratch'; it must taste as good as it looks, and be healthy too. Baking in India, often my biggest challenge is the non-availability of baking ingredients, and this has now become a platform to get creative on. I enjoy cooking immensely as well.

42 Comments

  • Rosa's Yummy Yums

    What an interesting combination! I love both ingredients… Yummy!

    Cheers and have a great week,

    Rosa

  • Tangled Noodle

    They looks so rich and moist – who cares if there isn't any butter! In fact, a brownie with healthy monounsaturated fats is fantastic – I can enjoy these without feeling terribly guilty. I'm so happy your brought them out again!

    (And I hope you never tire of hearing me say how much I love your photography!)

  • Shabs..

    I love ur site, the photes are perfect, perfectly baked goodies and the whole blog looks too too neat!Keep it up…i love ur work.

  • Steph

    I'm having so much trouble trying to find a brownie recipe to try. I get scared when I see an equal ratio of butter to flour and always wondered what oil based brownies tasted like. The only thing I was worried about was the brownie texture being too light because of the oil. I know you said these aren't rich and dense, but are they still brownie like without being too fluffy/light in texture?

    From the pictures, they look great!

  • Clumbsy Cookie

    I love baking with olive oil! It makes everything better! The brownies look delicious!

  • Resh

    for someone that loves to bake i know what you mean about randomly going into the kitchen to bake something. I do that often. These brownies are delicious! my second favorite love: Chocolate 🙂

  • Lisa

    These look great – if I can't use nuts would you suggest another substitution, or just baking them plain?

  • Bellini Valli

    These look delicious Deeba, but with just eating a 10-pack of Tim Buts I will have to enjoy your lovely photos.

  • Nags

    that crust looks amazing Deeba. I have bookmarked this recipe so will be dropping you a line soon for questions on this and that 😀

  • Kerstin

    Sounds like something you'd get at a fancy bakery – chocolate and olive oil together seem hot right now! Love them!

  • Prathibha

    This is definitely a must try….Brownies in a healthy way are really not so much sinful delights…bookmarked..

  • Helene

    I've never made brownies with oil but wow do they ever look yummy. I'll have to try these. What a nice treat for the kids. Beautiful pics! 🙂

  • Arwen from Hoglet K

    That's marvellous to be able to make brownies with less saturated fat! They look like the texture's just right too.

  • Julia @ Mélanger

    I certainly do need to consider healthier options for all my sugary treats that I eat – and I eat a lot. These look absolutely delicious. I would never have guessed at the substitutions!

  • Dhanggit

    This is so inventive!! a lot of high ace chefs here are reinventing olive oil..this dessert deserved to be bookmarked 🙂 cant wait to try it!

  • meeso

    Never thought of using olive oil but that is a healthy alternative… and they look perfect and delicious!

  • Avanika [YumsiliciousBakes]

    I love any kind of brownies! Yours look delicious! And healthy! What more can a person need?

  • RecipeGirl

    LOVE the idea of working w/ olive oil for brownies. What a genius idea. These look wonderful!

  • Bella

    Oh my sweet goodness, these brownies look divine….olive oil is something that I never thought about using…but these look so moist and chewy the way that I prefer brownies! YUM! I'm glad that I found your blog. I added you to follow on Twitter….do you have a follow box or subscribe option? Ciao, Roz (Bella)

  • Jacque

    "… conflicted inclinations…" LOL, my whole life is about conflicted inclinations.

    These sure look like a sure-fire way to satisfy a chocolate craving. They look fantastic!

  • vegetarianzoe

    There look good and have less eggs than usual. i'm looking for an egg free version…any idea? i'm so carving for brownies!

  • Sophie

    These are georgous, tasty looking & healthy brownies!

    They look superb!!!

    Fabulous pictures too!

  • Crafted

    Deeba! i tried these!they were wonderful! and were ready as u said right in 22 min!
    shukriya!!

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