Monday, May 26, 2014

Hidden-Veggies Brownies

Hello, and long time no see!  Where have you all been?  I'm sure it's you that's been away, am I right?  Anyhow, I wanted to put up this post before another major holiday came and went because I made these brownies for Easter.  (Did I just say that?  Easter?)  Yes, Easter!  Argh, anyways, I'm back, I'm back.  A few years ago, both my mom and SR gave me the same cookbook for my birthday.  I kept SR's because she inscribed hers, and traded Mom's in for something else.  Anyhow, it's by Jessica Seinfeld, ol' Jerry's wife, and she made a cookbook hiding pureed veggies in food for her kids, Deceptively Delicious.  I've tried making several of the recipes, and some have turned out "eh," and some have turned out "yikes!," and some have turned out "mmm."  I will share my veganized versions of the "mmm" ones with you.  I did get the idea for my Banana-Flax French Toast from her.  So, like I said, I've veganized these recipes and adjusted the ingredients to suit our tastes, etc.  One important note on these brownies, she says not to eat them warm; I will go so far as to say, eat them CHILLED.  They are a completely different flavor room temp versus chilled.  Yuck versus yum.  I brought these over to the family at Easter and told none of the relatives the secrets hidden within, and all they could taste was deliciousness and cocoa.  They were very surprised when they found out these were healthy!  Yeah!  Enjoy, and I hope to be more regular here, without Miralax!


  Hidden-Veggies Brownies.  These are the brownies cut into 24 squares, and they are huge.  You can easily make 48 squares and be satisfied.  Serve them chilled!



Hidden-Veggies Brownies

Ingredients:

Non-stick spray
8 oz. semi-sweet chocolate baking squares
2 cups of carrot puree (about 4 or 5 carrots steamed then pureed)
2 cups of spinach puree (about 8 or so cups spinach steamed then pureed)
2 cups brown sugar, packed
1 cup cocoa powder
2 Tbs. margarine, room temp or softened
2 Tbs. vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 and 1/2 Tbs. baking powder
1 tsp. salt

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a 9x13 baking pan with the non-stick spray, and set aside.  Melt the chocolate in the microwave, stirring frequently, being careful not to burn it.  In a large bowl or large pot (you'll need something large!), whisk together the chocolate, carrots, spinach, brown sugar, cocoa, margarine and vanilla.  Whisk until smooth.  You can use a hand mixer on low, if you wish.  Add the flour baking powder and salt, and stir with a wooden spoon until well blended.  Pour the batter in the pan, and bake for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.  Cool completely on a cooling rack.  Can cut into 24 large squares or 48 smaller ones.  Must be chilled before being enjoyed.  Do not eat at room temperature in order to appreciate the full-deception.  Kids and grandparents alike will love these!  Feeds well more than five hungry vegans.
 

23 comments:

  1. Yuck vs. yum sounds kinda scary... Have you ever made black bean brownies?

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    1. I have not not! Have you, and are they tasty? I should play around with that.

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  2. Um, Miralax? Are you subbing brownies for that? I may have to take your word for it that the brownies are yummy. I think the carrots would work just fine, and I may play with that idea. Spinach, on the other hand, might be too hard for me to add. :)

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    1. Um, no, Andrea - it was a joke, silly. Don't be afraid of the spinach. It worked out great!

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    2. I was joking, too, double silly. I remain afraid of spinach. :)

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  3. I'm ready for some 'splainin about why you disappear and then reappear every month. This has gotten way too mysterious.

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  4. Welcome back! I'm intrigued by the flavor difference based on the temperature but I'll trust you on that one ;) Sounds like a fun way to get some more veggies in and they look yummy.

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    1. Sarah, trust me on the temp business! They are very good. :-)

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  5. Replies
    1. Actually, they aren't too gooey, but the pic does seem to present them that way, doesn't it?

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  6. Yay! You're back! Carrot and spinach brownies? My first thought is 'hmmm, not sure about that' but I love brownies, I love spinach, and I love carrot, so I should really give them a go altogether!

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    1. Joey, you really should. These would surprise you.

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  7. They look super yummy BM. Keep the good posts coming, I'm looking at all of them...Millie

    http://nuestracena-vegancuisine.blogspot.com
    http://frugaliciouschick.blogspot.com

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  8. oh WOW!!!! What a FANTASTIC idea! I have been thinking about increasing the veggie content of my daughter's lunchbox. She is fine with veggies of an evening but doesn't seem to want to take any in her lunchbox - this is the PERFECT way to do that - thank you soooo much for posting this recipe :D
    Love and blessings xxx

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    1. You are so welcome. Even our vegan kiddos need a veggie push now and then.

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  9. MMMMMM! Those brownies look so decadent, it's unreal!!

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  10. These look so yummy! What a good idea to hide the veggies ;) I've missed your blogging, by the way!

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    1. Anna, I'm back! Do you have a blog? Thanks for stopping by. Blessings. :-)

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