{operation lunch bag :: recipe} Vegan Chia Seed Brownies

Although I’ve re-conditioned my taste buds to like some pretty crazy concoctions (chocolate wheat grass, anyone?!), I like to think that I still know what a brownie should taste like.  And these Vegan Chia Seed Brownies, albeit healthy, are pretty darn tasty!  And they’re a perfect fit for this year’s Operation Lunch Bag challenge as I look to create healthy (but tasty) snacks for the boys’ lunches.

I probably wouldn’t make these brownies if I was looking to impress a bunch of chocolate-crazed women but they do make a fantastic “Friday Lunch Treat” — and without the sugar overload of a usual brownie.

Apologies for the awful (night-time, iPhoto) photography — my camera cord is MIA!

Considering the school’s hot lunch program features actual sugar-filled (and God knows what else-filled) brownies, I’m sure the boys’ teachers will be thankful I came up with this recipe for a Friday treat.  And to share the love, the boys decorated a gift box for their teachers and brought them a Friday treat, too!

Jack drew a body around the view window, complete with a head and legs — we call it the “Brownie Monster”!

{Chia Seed Brownies}

Inspired by Healthful Sense

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp Chia Seeds
⅓ Cup Almond Milk
2 Tbsp Butter (or if you want them vegan, use Earth Balance Buttery Spread)
3 Tbsp Peanut Butter
2 tsp Vanilla Extract
5 Medjool Dates, pitted
½ cup Applesauce
¼ cup Shredded Coconut
¼ tsp Cinnamon
½ cup Spelt Flour
½ cup Cocoa Powder
⅓ cup Brown Sugar
½ tsp Baking Soda
¼ tsp Salt
¼ cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
Optional –> ⅓ Cup Chopped Almonds Or Walnuts

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, make the chia seed gel by mixing 2 tbsp chia seeds + ⅓ cup almond milk. Stir well and let sit for 10 minutes. Stir it up again (to prevent clumping) and let sit for another 10 minutes.
2. Preheat oven to 350˚F.
3. Grease an 8″ x 8″ baking pan.
4. In a food processor or blender, mix the buttery spread/butter, peanut butter, vanilla, dates, apple sauce, shredded coconut, and cinnamon.
5. Once blended, mix in with the chia seed gel.
6. In a separate bowl, whisk together the spelt flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Once mixed well, add the chocolate chips and chopped nuts (if using).
7. Mix the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients using a spoon or spatula and transfer the batter to your baking dish. Wet your fingers and press the dough into the dish.
8. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Domestically Yours,
Natasha Kay