pre-party parties!

All I can think about is dessert, namely, brownies. I’ve never made them from scratch before, let alone vegan. I looked around the internet and tried to decide which recipe was the best. I found this recipe, but thought it would turn out too chemical tasting so I adjusted it. I used dutch process cocoa because I like a richer, more chocolatey taste. I didn’t mess around with any wheat flour or agave substitutes, like I usually do, because I wanted to make sure it was going to work.

Like I predicted, they tasted a little… too healthy. So I whipped up a glaze for the top and they were basically amazing. I know they’re sugary, but essentially fat free so I don’t entirely hate myself for eating three of them.



Almost-Christmas Brownies
1 cup raw sugar
2 cups unsweetened applesauce
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 ½ cup flour
2/3 cup Dutch process unsweetened cocoa powder
3 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
¾ tsp salt

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 x 13 pan.

Mix your first three ingredients together in a bowl.
In a separate bowl, whisk dry ingredients together. Mix in half the wet ingredients, stir a couple times, then mix the rest in. Mix until JUST combined. If you’re adding in any nuts or coconut or chocolate chips, now would be the time to fold it in; gently of course. Top with glaze and decorations of choice.

Chocolate-Peppermint Glaze
6 squares quality dark chocolate
1 tsp. peppermint extract

Create double boiler: set a small saucepan over heat with a small amount of water in it. Set heatproof bowl over top of pot, add in ingredients and stir gently just until melted. Spoon!