I LOVE BROWNIES and all things chocolate – and that’s why I bake them. But what I love even more is the fact that I can really elevate brownies and turn them into something healthy by adding nutrient-dense ingredients (without losing taste!)

This is not “health washing,” (which is a term used when you position yourself – or a company – in a health-promoting way while actually contributing to poor health practices.) Every single ingredient in this recipe is health promoting from the magnesium in the chocolate, to the slow releasing sugars in the bananas, all the way down to the seeds, which help balance hormones.

You can literally throw together just a few amazing ingredients to get a brownie that packs a nutritious punch and is a decadent treat at the same time.

This recipe calls for all natural peanut butter, but peanuts are high in carcinogenic compounds called aflatoxins, which have been associated with liver cancer. (Check out this blog for more info on that.) I usually replace all recipes that call for peanut butter with sunflower seed butter and so far it’s kid approved, husband approved and extended family and friends approved – and nut free so safe for school lunches.  

I decided to make this a complete nut-free version and added pumpkin seeds on top rather than walnuts, which the original recipe called for. You can really add any nut or seed you love – I’m thinking hazelnuts or pecans would be scrumptious too!

Since it’s the Christmas season, if you’re baking these to take to a party, go ahead and add pomegranate and coconut flakes, as well as the pumpkin seeds for a more festive look.

Nutrient Snapshot of Seeds

Sunflower Seeds

• Sunflower seeds are an excellent source of Vitamin E, which is an antioxidant that helps maintain healthy hair and skin, protects our cells from damage, and is protective against cardiovascular disease and cancer.
• They are an excellent source of protein, fibre and fat and because of this they help remove toxins and balance our hormones.

Pumpkin Seeds

• Pumpkin seeds are an exceptional source of B vitamins, Magnesium, iron and protein. They also have high levels of essential fatty acids (remember, essential means we need it) that help maintain healthy blood vessels and they help to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol in the blood.
• Their high level of zinc means they are great at promoting fertility and can be used to prevent prostate issues.
• One study showed that pumpkin seed oil has been able to reverse balding and promote hair regrowth!

Fudgey Protein Brownies
Makes about 9 servings
Time: about 35 minutes

Ingredients

1-cup Sunflower Seed Butter
4 Bananas
1/2 cup Cocoa Powder
1/2 cup Chocolate Protein Powder
1/2 cup Organic Dark Chocolate Chips
1/2 cup Pumpkin seeds (chopped)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350. Line a cake or loaf pan with parchment paper.
In a small saucepan over low-medium heat, melt the sunflower seed butter.
In a mixing bowl, mash the bananas, cocoa powder, and protein powder and seed butter until combined. Stir in chocolate chips.
Pour into pan, sprinkle with pumpkin seeds and bake for 25 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool completely before serving.

Bonus cooking tips!

• I recommend doubling the recipe and freezing the second batch because they won’t last long and they freeze well.
• If you want to omit the protein powder you can try substituting with ground hemp seeds or ground flax seeds.
• If you want to make it sweeter, try adding chopped pitted dates. They are another slow release form of sugar plus you get the added benefit of more magnesium – which is a relaxant.