Gluten-free, grain-free, brownies with a cake-like texture and rich chocolate flavor.
UNUSUAL BROWNIE INGREDIENTS
Cassava Greek Yogurt Brownies are delicious gluten-free brownies with a cake-like texture and rich chocolate flavor. They’re made with two ingredients not commonly found in brownies: grain-free cassava flour and Greek yogurt. At first glance these seem like odd ingredients with which to make brownies, but each serves an important purpose. The cassava flour replaces all-purpose wheat flour in this recipe and is the perfect baking substitute for those who adhere to gluten-free diets or who must avoid grains. The Greek yogurt, in turn, adds moisture – without it the brownies would be too dry because even though cassava flour can usually be substituted 1:1 for all-purpose flour, it’s more absorbent than all-purpose flour, so when baking with it, other ingredient adjustments – in this case, adding a dairy product – are often needed. So, what is cassava flour? Read on.
WHAT IS CASSAVA FLOUR AND IS IT THE SAME AS TAPIOCA FLOUR?
Cassava (also known as yuca) is a starchy, tuberous root vegetable native to South America. It’s high in carbohydrates and contains important vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, thiamine, riboflavin, and niacin. Cassava flour is made by peeling, grating, and grinding the entire root of the cassava plant into a fine powder, similar in consistency to all-purpose wheat flour but lighter. Tapioca flour is also made from the cassava plant but the way it’s processed is entirely different as is its nutritive quality. To make tapioca flour, the starchy liquid is extracted from the cassava root and then dried. Tapioca flour is low in nutrients making it inferior to most other gluten-free whole-grain flours.
CACAO POWDER VS. COCOA POWDER – WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
This recipe for Cassava Greek Yogurt Brownies calls for cacao powder but you can substitute cocoa powder if that’s what you have on hand. Cacao powder and cocoa powder can be used interchangeably. Both are made from cacao beans and are rich in powerful antioxidants but cacao powder is less processed so it contains higher levels of antioxidants than cocoa powder. It’s also slightly more bitter so if you’re more of a dark chocolate fan than milk chocolate, chances are you’ll prefer cacao powder over cocoa powder.
ATTENTION BROWNIEAHOLICS!
I’m a little obsessed with healthy brownies! If you are too then be sure to check out these recipes: Sweet and Salty Chickpea Brownies, Dark Chocolate Avocado Banana Brownies, Dark Chocolate Lentil Brownies, Paleo Tahini Swirl Brownies, and Spicy Cinnamon Sweet Potato Brownies.
If you make Cassava Greek Yogurt Brownies don’t forget to snap a pic and tag me over on Instagram @QueenofMyKitchen. I’d love to see your creation!
Cassava Greek Yogurt Brownies
Ingredients
- 1/2 teaspoon coconut oil, melted
- 2 tablespoons flaxseed meal
- 1/3 cup warm water
- 3/4 cup (5 ounces) bittersweet chocolate chips (60% cacao)
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar
- 1/4 cup cacao powder
- 1/4 cup cassava flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup avocado oil
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and brush an 8 x 8-inch pan with the coconut oil.
- Combine the flaxseed meal and water. Stir well and set aside for 5 minutes.
- Place 1/2 cup of the chocolate chips in a small glass bowl and set over simmering water. Stir every minute or so until the chocolate is fully melted.
- While the chocolate is melting, whisk together the coconut sugar, cacao powder, cassava flour, baking soda, and salt. Add the Greek yogurt, avocado oil, eggs, vanilla extract, flax mixture, and melted chocolate. Stir until smooth.
- Add the remaining chocolate chips, and walnuts if using. Stir until well combined. Pour batter into the prepared pan.
- Bake on bottom rack of oven for 20 - 25 minutes
Notes
*does not include walnuts
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