Before you close the page muttering to yourself ‘oh dear the sleep deprivation has made her mad’ let me ensure you I still have all, ok most, of my marbles and this actually tastes 1000% better than it looks. There’s something about green and baking and me that usually results in something not too pretty.

In this case, it was my attempt at a healthy peppermint icing to complete my healthy choc peppermint brownies. I think they’d look a lot better had my blender done its job and actually made the icing smooth. The sesame seeds through it aren’t a great look but they actually add a nice crunch.

I’ve been dreaming of a good brownie for a while now and spotted a rather tempting looking one on Pinterest (I spend a lot of time on Pinterest during early morning feeds). Not only was it a gooey, rich brownie but it was topped with a peppermint buttercream and my mouth watered at the thought of it.

Seeing as I am now carrying around a few extra kgs from hosting Bubba C for 9 months, I’m trying not to be too naughty but you know me, I can’t resist a treat.

Plus, being St Patrick’s Day and with a maiden name of Kelly, I thought the green icing would make it perfect for the Irish celebration and fitting for this month’s Sweet Adventures Blog Hop theme ‘The luck o’ the Irish’ hosted by the lovely JJ over at 84th & 3rd.

While it’s not the prettiest looking thing, the brownie is super rich and gooey. The icing is not too sweet but adds a little flavour boost and they’re reasonably healthy. Next time I’m going to use almond meal instead of the flour to make them gluten free as well. Is now too early to make another batch? Enjoy!

What about you? Are you making something special for St Patrick’s Day?

Healthy choc peppermint brownies

Name: Healthy choc peppermint brownies
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 10
Ingredients: 3/4 cup wholemeal flour; 1 cup coconut sugar; 1 tbsp honey; 1 tsp cinnamon; 1/2 cup cacoa; 1/4 cup cocoa; 3/4 cup melted coconut oil; 3 free-range eggs; 1/2 cup sesame seeds; 1 tbsp melted coconut oil; 2 tbsp maple syrup; 1/2 tsp peppermint; 3 tbsp water; 1/2 tsp natural green food colouring

Yield: 10

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

Brownies

3/4 cup wholemeal flour
1 cup coconut sugar
1 tbsp honey
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup cacoa
1/4 cup cocoa
3/4 cup melted coconut oil
3 free-range eggs

Icing

1/2 cup sesame seeds
1 tbsp melted coconut oil
2 tbsp maple syrup
1/2 tsp peppermint
3 tbsp water
1/2 tsp natural green food colouring

Instructions

Pre-heat the oven to 160C (350F) fan-forced and grease and line a 20x20cm (8x8") square cake tin with baking paper.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine all the brownie ingredients until smooth.
Spread the batter into the tin and bake for 20-25 minutes or just until the top is firm.
They will continue to cook out of the oven and you want them gooey so don't over-cook.
Leave to cool in the tin.
To make the icing, combine all the ingredients in a high-speed blender until smooth.
Spread the icing on the cooled brownies.

14 Comments

Danielle on March 23, 2014 at 6.19 pm
Maybe I’m a bit weird but I think these look great and even though St Patrick’s Day is over I’m looking forward to trying these with natural green colouring ;-)
- Claire on March 23, 2014 at 8.29 pm
  Not weird at all Danielle. Thanks!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef on March 20, 2014 at 8.54 am
I didn’t make anything green this year but if I’d seen these brownies first I’d have given them a go.
- Claire on March 20, 2014 at 9.44 am
  I just scraped in at the last minute!
Tania @ The Cook's Pyjamas on March 18, 2014 at 10.15 am
You had me at coconut sugar. Love the flavour it brings to baking. It’s never to early to bake more by the way ;)
- Claire on March 18, 2014 at 10.05 pm
  I may just take you up on that Tania!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on March 18, 2014 at 2.01 am
I totally missed St Patricks day because I’ve been on a plane! But I love the idea of these brownies and never did I think that you had gone mad :)
- Claire on March 18, 2014 at 10.06 pm
  Oh no! I hope they had some sort of celebration!
JJ - 84thand3rd on March 17, 2014 at 7.20 pm
How fun! Chocolate and mint are such a great combo. I find that grinding seeds or nuts before adding anything else breaks them down much easier. Thanks for sharing and hope the bub is doing well. xx
- Claire on March 18, 2014 at 10.06 pm
  Thanks for the tip JJ. I’ll do that next time!
Yasmin on March 17, 2014 at 6.51 pm
Ok I can work with this recipe – but you mentioned almond meal – I’m not gluten intolerant but I have some I want to use, so is it 1:1 and what are alternatives to cacao – I’m assuming chocolate – but not sure of the quantity.
- Claire on March 18, 2014 at 10.06 pm
  I would say you can use it 1:1 yep. You can use cocoa instead of cacao if you like. It should just be the same amount.
My Kitchen Stories on March 17, 2014 at 6.31 pm
Well it is full of healthy ingredients ( or I am being told constantly that coconut oil is healthy). Eat up Claire you are a busy Mum.
- Claire on March 18, 2014 at 10.06 pm
  If you insist :-)