Chocolate Cashew Brownies

Friend: "Hannah, we have people coming over tonight, you want to bake something?"

Me: "Is that even a question: YES."

What's better than a nice stack of gluten free gooey, warm brownies? Dessert-wise, I'm not sure that there's a ton of things. Making brownies gluten free doesn't have to be super tricky, (there are some flourless recipes out there even!). I've experimented with a few recipes and one of the best I've found is from my gluten-free kitchen! Straight forward and always results in a delicious tray of chocolate goodness that can be paired with ice cream, berries or a nice glass of wine.

The only thing that's different in my version is substituting white sugar for organic palm sugar, which I find is 1) not as sweet and 2) adds a richer flavour without sacrificing the structure/sweetness that white sugar gives brownies. Also, I've added cashews for some extra crunch! The high proportion of egg yolks in the recipe is amazing for adding another layer of fudge and goo, which is obviously a bonus!

Chocolate Cashew Brownies

1/3 cup cocoa

1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp boiling water

2 oz Bakers chocolate

4 tbsp unsalted butter (melted)

1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp coconut oil

2 large eggs

2 egg yolks

2 tsp vanilla

2 1/2 cups organic palm sugar

1 1/4 cup robin hood or compliments brand gluten free flour 

pinch of salt

1/2 tsp xanthum gum

6 oz chocolate chunks (I used crushed Bakers)

1. Preheat  oven to 350.
2. Line a brownie pan with parchment or butter
3. Add boiling water and cocoa together. Whisk until smooth.
4. Add chocolate and whisk until smooth.
5. Add butter and coconut oil. Feel free to microwave to help everything melt together easier.
6. Add egg yolks and eggs to the mixture while constantly whisking (this prevents the eggs from scrambling- add them slow and keep whisking!)
7. Add flour, xanthum gum and salt into a separate bowl. Combine well.
8. Add dry to wet in a few batches. Combine with a spatula (don't want to whisk at this point so as to make the brownies too cakey).
9. Add in crushed chocolate. Mix well.
10. Add in roasted cashews and mix well.
11. Bake ~30minutes until a toothpick comes out smooth.

Enjoy!!