Recipe:
These fudgy and decadent red velvet brownies get their natural red color from beet powder, which also adds a slightly earthy flavor that pairs well with chocolate!
Beets are a great source of potassium, which improves blood circulation, boosting nutrient and oxygen delivery to skin. The brownies get their rich and fudgy texture from almond butter, which is rich in vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that helps protect the natural oils in the scalp, and also supports eye and skin health.
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
1⁄3 cup water
1⁄2 cup almond butter
3⁄4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1⁄2 cup oats, ground into a flour in a blender
1⁄2 cup cocoa powder
1⁄4 cup beet powder
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
1⁄2 teaspoon baking powder
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. In a large bowl, combine flaxseed and water and set aside for 10 minutes to thicken. Once thickened, add almond butter, brown sugar, and vanilla extract and stir well to combine.
In a medium-sized bowl, combine oat “flour”, cocoa powder, beet powder, salt, and baking powder and mix well. Stir the dry mixture into the wet mixture until fully combined (the batter will be very thick).
Grease a small (around 8×8) baking pan with cooking spray and spread mixture evenly into the pan, smoothing the top. Bake for 15-20 minutes, depending on how well-done you prefer your brownies. The brownies will still be soft when you take them out of the oven but should firm up as they cool. Slice into 16 squares.
Yields: 16 servings
Per serving: 106 calories, 2.8 g protein, 14.9 g carbohydrates, 2.6 g fiber, 10.2 g sugars, 5.1 g fat, 0.6 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 98 mg sodium, 54 mg calcium, 0.15 g omega-3 fats, 0 IU vitamin A, 0.4 mg vitamin C, 1.9 mg vitamin E, 1.6 mg iron, 0.3 mg zinc
Lisa Drayer, M.A., R.D.,
is the author of THE BEAUTY DIET and STRONG, SLIM, and 30! For more of Lisa’s Beauty Bites, visit www.lisadrayer.com.