By Christine Galeone

I don’t think there are many people who can resist a fresh, delicious brownie. The moist, rich, decadent treat would most likely make the top ten favorite desserts list of every chocolate lover.  But they would probably never make the list of top ten healthiest desserts.

Although it might not be possible to make a brownie – that actually tastes like a brownie – that’s both healthy and delicious, it really is possible to make healthier brownies. And this recipe for banana split brownies is one example of how to accomplish that nearly monumental achievement.

It’s easy to see why any processed, store-bought brownies are unhealthy. And even though mixes call for a couple of additional fresh ingredients, and, like most, the results taste great, they’re still processed and generally include unnecessary ingredients. But even most homemade brownies that are made from fresh ingredients are unhealthy, because they call for lots of added sugar. In fact, it’s not uncommon for a recipe to call for two cups of sugar. That sugar causes inflammation. Inflammation is linked to various diseases and other harmful health conditions.    

This recipe calls for significantly less sugar, because the banana contains natural sugar. It also calls for healthier fats, instead of butter, margarine or other unhealthier fats that can lead to clogged arteries and heart disease. And while walnuts are heart-healthy and brain-healthy nuts, bananas contain important vitamins and minerals, including potassium, vitamin B6, vitamin C and magnesium.

Banana Split 

Brownies

Ingredients:

½ Cup of Unsifted All-Purpose Flour 

1/3 Cup of Unsweetened Cocoa 

1 tsp. Baking Powder

¾ Cup of Sugar

½ Cup of Light Tasting Olive Oil

1 tsp. of Pure Almond Extract

2 Eggs

1 Banana

½ Cup of Natural Walnuts

¼ Cup of Dark Chocolate Chips (Optional)

Directions:

Combine flour, cocoa and baking powder in a large bowl.

In a separate bowl, combine sugar, olive oil, almond extract and one mashed ripe banana.

Add eggs to the mixture, and beat well with a spoon. 

In a few increments, add the dry mixture to the wet mixture.  Blend together with a spoon.

Mix in walnuts and dark chocolate chips.

Pour batter into a 9”X9” baking pan.

Bake in a pre-heated oven at 350 degrees for around 25 minutes.  Brownie should begin to pull away from the edges of the pan.  

  

Now, if you don’t like bananas, this probably won’t be your new go-to recipe for summer cookouts. But if you do, you’ll most likely find them irresistible. The only temptation you’ll have to resist is the one to eat too many in one sitting. Happy (healthier) baking!