My roommate and I have had a rough week.  Not only has winter and El Niño returned to our cold unheated Berkeley home, but we’ve also both been working a lot and going through some ups and downs.  My roommate normally complains that I’m “too healthy,” but she will also tell you that I have a weakness for chocolate.  I would actually chalk this one up as a strength, as cacao actually has many benefits.

Cacao contains:

1. Essential minerals including: Magnesium, Calcium, Copper, Zinc, Potassium, and Manganese
2. Polyphenols/flavonoids which contain antioxidant properties
3. oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat also found in olive oil which is an omega-9 fatty acid
4. Serotonin and serotonin precursor (L-tryptophan):  Dark chocolate may in fact increase serotonin levels, although effects are short lived (1-2 1/2 hours)

 

Faced with stress and a heavy workload.  I decided we needed some therapy in the form of fudgy chocolate brownies, and because I am a health nut, I replaced butter and oil with 2% greek yogurt.  These brownies are fudgy delicious squares of happiness, so I hope you enjoy your chocolate therapy as much as we did.

 

Fudgy Greek Yogurt Brownies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cacao powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup maple syrup or agave ( gives batter a lighter consistency, can be replaced with sugar)
• 1 cup greek yogurt
• 1 egg

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

In a large mixing bowl sift whole wheat flour, cocoa powder, and baking soda and set aside.

In a double boiler, melt chocolate chips with sugar and vanilla.  After your chocolate is melted, remove from heat and add maple syrup and yogurt.  Mix with spatula until smooth.  Make sure chocolate mixture is cooled before adding egg and mixing until smooth.

Fold your wet chocolate mixture into the dry flour mixture until smooth.  Batter will be pretty thick.  Pour batter into a glass baking pan.

Bake for approximately 30 minutes.  Baking time depends on how fudgy you like your brownies.  Don’t worry too much if you overcook these slightly as the yogurt will help with the fudginess.

Make sure your brownies are cool before cutting into them, as they will be quite fudgy.  Enjoy with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee.