Hazelnut and butternut squash brownies
- Makes 16
- 20 mins to prepare and 20 mins to cook
- 150 calories/serving
- Vegetarian
- Dairy-free
Ingredients
- 175g (6oz) butternut squash, peeled and cubed
- 100ml (3 1/2fl oz) coconut oil
- 100g (3 1/2oz) maple syrup
- 75g (3oz) Medjool dates, pitted
- 1 medium egg
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 100g (3 1/2oz) gluten-free plain flour
- 4 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 tsp bicarbonate soda
- pinch sea salt
- 50g toasted hazelnuts, roughly chopped
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (gas 4) and 160°C (fan).
- Using nonstick baking paper, lightly grease and line a square 20cm (8in) brownie tin.
- Steam the butternut squash until it can easily be pierced with a knife over medium heat.
- This should take about 8-10 minutes to complete. Drain and combine with the coconut oil, maple syrup, and pitted dates in a blender to form a smooth purée.
- Blitz again with the egg and vanilla essence. Set aside.
- Sift all of the dry ingredients into a large mixing bowl, except the hazelnuts.
- With a wooden spoon, combine the butternut squash purée and the dry ingredients.
- After folding in the hazelnuts, pour the batter into the prepared brownie pan.
- Preheat the oven to 200°F and bake for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool in the tin for 5 minutes.
- Cut the cake into 16 squares and serve warm or at room temperature.