The ultimate makeover: Chocolate brownies

The ultimate makeover: Chocolate brownies

Angela gives these rich treats a makeover, with a magic ingredient to reduce the fat content...

Difficulty and servings

Easy

Makes 12

Preparation and cooking times

Preparation time

Prep 25 mins

Cook time

Cook 30 mins

Freezable

Method

  1. Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Pour enough water into a small pan to one-third fill it. Bring to the boil, then remove the pan from the heat. Put the chopped chocolate into a large bowl that will fit snugly over the pan without touching the water. Sit the pan over the water (still off the heat) and leave the chocolate to melt slowly for a few mins, stirring occasionally until it has melted evenly. Remove the bowl from the pan, then let the chocolate cool slightly.
  2. Meanwhile, lightly oil and base-line a 19cm square cake tin that is 5cm deep. Combine the flour, cocoa and bicarbonate of soda. Using a wooden spoon, stir both the sugars into the cooled chocolate with the coffee, vanilla and buttermilk. Stir in 1 tbsp warm water. Break and beat in the egg, then stir in the mayonnaise just until smooth and glossy. Sift over the flour and cocoa mix, then gently fold in with a spatula without overmixing.
  3. Pour the mixture into the tin, then gently and evenly spread it into the corners. Bake for 30 mins. When a skewer is inserted into the middle, it should come out with just a few moist crumbs sticking to it. If cooked too long, the mix will dry out; not long enough and it can sink. Leave in the tin until completely cold, then loosen the sides with a round-bladed knife. Turn out onto a board, peel off the lining paper and cut into 12 squares.

PER BROWNIE

191 kcalories, protein 2g, carbohydrate 23g, fat 11 g, saturated fat 3g, fibre 1g, sugar 16g, salt 0.28 g

Recipe from Good Food magazine, April 2009.

Try 3 issues of Good Food magazine for £3 - subscribe now!

Latest comments and suggestions

Results 1-20

  • Binder photo JellyCake

    20 March 2009

    JellyCake rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    These are wonderful! It's seems a bit odd adding mayonnaise to the mix, but they tasted so moist and very chocolatey. I added 100g of chopped choc, which I know doesn't keep in with the low fat theme, but we like our brownies with choc pieces in them! Even my fussy husband loved them too. A new favourite which will definately be used again!

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo chios

    20 March 2009

    chios rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Absolutely amazing brownies. They were very easy to make (both times) and taste really light. Will be making them again and again.

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo loranne

    22 March 2009

    loranne commented on this recipe

    mmmm its seems interesting with mayonnaise .... i will try them ;)

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo Gravy Queen

    22 March 2009

    Gravy Queen commented on this recipe

    These are amazing. Angela does it again! I too wasnt sure about the mayo, but hey, it works. I dont think I will make brownies any other way now. Big thumbs up!!!

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo DJW

    25 March 2009

    DJW commented on this recipe

    Has anyone used light or very light mayo in this recipe as that is usually what i buy to try and cut down on fat.

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo JellyCake

    25 March 2009

    JellyCake commented on this recipe

    Hi DJW, I used Light Hellmans Mayonnaise when I made them and it worked brilliantly.

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo Georgelikescake

    26 March 2009

    Georgelikescake rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    I couldnt find buttermilk for the life of me so used natural yoghurt instead, but it still worked brilliantly. also used light mayonaise and no problems - very nice indeed!

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo DJW

    27 March 2009

    DJW rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Thank you jellycake didn't want to waste a bar of choc! Used sainsburys extra light mayo, 74% choc as all i could find and slightly bigger tin just reduced cooking time. Had a problem as left choc to cool slightly too long so my mixture was not smooth as choc started to go hard but this added to end result being very moorish with sugary chuncks of choc in the brownies. My new fav brownie recipe.

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo Katrina

    27 March 2009

    Katrina commented on this recipe

    Use Helmans extra light mayo and 74% choc as I had it in cupboard. Did not want to go out to buy buttermilk so used semiskimmed milk with lemon juice instead, ( goggled buttermilk and it said you could). Very yummy although a tad rich for my teenagers perhaps 70% choc might be better, although it means that they may save some for me. Even lower fat too, so better for my waist!

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo Bev

    28 March 2009

    Bev rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    These were simple to make. They turned out just like the picture. I used mayo light and mixed milk & a squeeze of lemon juice for the buttermilk. They tasted beautiful...yummy.

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo Neets

    28 March 2009

    Neets commented on this recipe

    To me these are what brownies should be. I made these for my mum on mothers day as a 'not so guilty' treat and she loved them! I used milk and a dash of vinegar to make the buttermilk. As i was using what i had to hand I changed the recipe slightly, using dark muscavado sugar, this made them a wonderful dark rich brown; I also added some saffron to the buttermilk as a bit of an experiment which turned out really well and really came through in the finished product.

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo chalky

    31 March 2009

    chalky commented on this recipe

    These are brilliant! Followed recipe exactly except melted choc in microwave as I find it easier to control. Took them to work and they went in about 10 minutes. Going to make another batch later in the week for a birthday surprise. Used Helmanns light too but did find proper buttermilk in Sainsburys (in with the cream).

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo Jackie's

    01 April 2009

    Jackie's rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    I have made these Brownies about 4 times now. My children love them, their friends love them, my hubby's colleagues love them!!!!! I was a bit hesitant at first with the mayo but tried it as I wanted to make them with them being lower fat. You honestly cannot tell. Scrummy Yummy!!!!! I have also made them with milk choc and with the cocoa they still come out fudgy and dark.

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo Jo

    12 April 2009

    Jo rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    These are fab - you must try them. i followed the recipe to the letter & they turned out just like the picture. They are sooooo chocolatey & the smell whilst they were cooking was to die for.....!!

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo cakeanyone?

    14 April 2009

    cakeanyone? rated and commented on this recipe

    3 stars

    The recipe works well but there're tastier, moister recipes out there. Glad I tried this one (especially to try out the mayo!) but won't make these particular ones again.

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo yerots

    14 April 2009

    yerots commented on this recipe

    Really nice and straight forward. Felt strange putting mayo in a dessert but no one at work had any complaints when I shared them out

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo Jo

    23 April 2009

    Jo commented on this recipe

    I made these this morning admittedly in a bit of a hurry . They turned out fine if a bit lower than the picture but maybe because my tin was slightly bigger. I would not rave about them - they are pleasent but I have made nicer Brownies from other recipes

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo CloClo

    04 May 2009

    CloClo commented on this recipe

    Will be making these in the next school holidays. Can't wait, and will let you know how I get on. 1 question though, can I use milk chocolate (good quality), mixed with an equal amount of dark? Please help!!!

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo Georgina

    04 May 2009

    Georgina commented on this recipe

    fabulouse, incredible, marvelous.... do i need to say more? Made for a family lunch and should have doubled u the portion because everyone wanted more!!!

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo Lilbill

    06 May 2009

    Lilbill commented on this recipe

    absolutely gorgeous!! Made these twice now - both times using light mayo and 0% greek yoghurt, 2nd time had no cocoa so just used 80% dark chocolate - wonderful smell whilst cooking - these brownies don't hang around long!

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Leave a comment or suggestion

You must sign in or register to leave a comment.

Sign in / Register

Difficulty and servings

Easy

Makes 12

Preparation and cooking times

Preparation time

Prep 25 mins

Cook time

Cook 30 mins

Freezable

Ingredients

  • 85g dark chocolate , 70% cocoa solids, chopped into small pieces
  • 85g plain flour
  • 25g cocoa powder
  • ¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda
  • 100g golden caster sugar
  • 50g light muscovado sugar
  • ½ tsp coffee granules
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp buttermilk
  • 1 egg
  • 100g mayonnaise (I used Hellman's)
Print this recipe
Add to your binder

PER BROWNIE

191 kcalories, protein 2g, carbohydrate 23g, fat 11 g, saturated fat 3g, fibre 1g, sugar 16g, salt 0.28 g

Advertisement

Your binder

Here are three other great reasons why to sign up:

  • You get an online binder, where you can store all your favourite recipes and create menus.
  • You can add your own recipes to this site for others to try; plus, rate and make comments on recipes, and share your views on our blog.

Follow Good Food

Advertisement

All about Good Food

Magazine

Good Food Magazine

Subscribe to Good Food magazine - enjoy 100+ triple-tested recipes delivered to your door, every month.

Order today, and receive your first 3 issues for just £3

On TV

Foodie TV

See your favourite chefs on Sky Channel 247, Virgin TV 260 and find their recipes at goodfoodchannel.co.uk.

Good Food Apps

Good Food Apps

For Good Food on the go, download our apps to your phone or portable device.
Find out more here

Buy ingredients

With just one click, the full list of recipe ingredients will be put into a basket at your choice of provider. Choose from:

mySupermarket Compare prices and choose a retailer you wish to buy them from.

Ocado Let Ocado deliver all you need for this recipe, right to your door

Tesco Buy all the ingredients from our recipes through your Tesco online shop.

new

Asda Shop with Asda? You can now buy ingredients for our recipes via your Asda online shop.

In association with the above providers. Terms and conditions apply.

Close