Zucchini and Cacao Brownie

These healthier brownies are perfect for the work lunchbox or afternoon healthy snack. Remember to leave out the walnuts if you are packing it for school.

Equipment

20cm x 30cm lamington pan

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups brown sugar
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
• 2 cups finely grated zucchini (see note)
• 2 cups self-raising flour
• 1/2 cup raw cacao powder, plus extra to sprinkle
• Pinch salt
• 2/3 cup chopped walnuts
• 100g no-added sugar chocolate chopped

Method

Step 1. Preheat oven to 180C or 160C fan-force. Grease and line base and 2 long sides of a 20cm x 30cm lamington pan.

Step 2. Whisk sugar, oil, eggs and vanilla bean paste in a large bowl until combined. Stir through zucchini (no need to squeeze moisture from zucchini) until combined. Sift flour, cacao and salt over zucchini mixture. Stir until combined. Fold walnuts and chocolate through. Spoon into prepared pan. Level surface with a spatula. Bake for 20 minutes or until a skewer inserted in centre comes out clean. Cool in pan over a wire rack. Cut into 20 pieces. Sprinkle with extra cacao.

*Brownie will keep wrapped in plastic for 1 week or you can freeze it for up to 1 month. You will need about 350g zucchini.

Nutritional Information

Recipe by Lucy Nunes