This festive season, treat yourself and your loved ones to a delicious and surprisingly healthy dessert: Pear & Macadamia Nut Chocolate Brownies! Created by the experts at Love Your Gut, this recipe is not only incredibly tasty but also packed with gut-boosting goodness.
Dark chocolate, a key ingredient, is renowned for its impressive health benefits. The high polyphenol content significantly contributes to a healthy gut microbiome. Dr. Joan Ransley highlights that a 100g bar of dark chocolate contains approximately 11 grams of fiber – a superfood for your gut! For optimal benefits, aim for dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa solids.
This recipe is surprisingly quick and easy to make, taking only 15 minutes of prep time and 20 minutes of baking. The best part? It yields 16 individual brownies, perfect for sharing (or keeping all to yourself!).
Ingredients:
* 80g soft, pitted dates, roughly chopped
* 40g unsalted butter
* Three medium eggs
* 150g ground almonds
* Two medium-sized ripe pears, quartered and cored, skin on
* 150g dark cooking chocolate (70% cocoa solids)
* 30g macadamia nuts, roughly chopped
Instructions:
1.
Preheat & Prepare:
Preheat your oven to 180°C/gas mark four. Line a 20cm square cake tin with baking parchment. This prevents sticking and ensures easy removal of your delicious brownies.2.
Process the Base:
In a food processor, combine the chopped dates, butter, and eggs. Process until you achieve a smooth, creamy mixture. Add the ground almonds and pulse briefly to combine. Don’t over-process; you want a slightly coarse texture.3.
Fold in the Goodness:
Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl. Dice the pears into 1cm cubes and gently fold them into the mixture along with the chopped macadamia nuts. The addition of pears adds moisture and a delightful sweetness.4.
Melt the Chocolate:
Melt the dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over (but not touching) a pan of simmering water. Stir occasionally until completely melted and smooth. This gentle melting method prevents burning and ensures a silky texture.5.
Combine & Bake:
Carefully fold the melted chocolate into the brownie mixture. Pour the batter into your prepared tin and spread evenly. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a skewer into the center; it should come out clean.6.
Cool & Enjoy:
Let the brownies cool completely in the tin before cutting and serving. These brownies are best served at room temperature, allowing the flavors to fully develop.Variations:
Feel free to experiment! Substitute macadamia nuts with chopped walnuts, Brazil nuts, or pecans. If pears aren’t your favorite, try using fresh or frozen cherries instead – they add a beautiful tartness that complements the rich chocolate.This Pear & Macadamia Nut Chocolate Brownie recipe is a delightful way to indulge in a sweet treat while prioritizing your gut health. Enjoy this festive and flavorful creation with your loved ones! Remember to share your brownie creations with us using #LoveYourGutBrownies.
