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.

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Latest comments and suggestions

Results 221-235

  • Binder photo Kathjb66

    13 February 2013

    Kathjb66 rated and commented on this recipe

    3 stars

    After reading the reviews about these brownies I decided to give them a go, used Greek yogurt (full fat!) and light mayonnaise. I can't understand what all the fuss is about? They were ok, more cake ish than brownie taste and definately tasted like something was missing (fat?!) Althoughbit has made me wonder what other cake recipes I can add mayonnaise to ? I think I'll stick to the 'Best ever Brownie' recipe also fom this website in future, higher in calories but also Tate !

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  • Binder photo WendyBH

    28 February 2013

    WendyBH commented on this recipe

    I've made this dozens of times now and it's my all-time fave low-fat pud. I've made a few changes though. I don't add chocolate, I use an extra heaped teaspoon of cocoa powder. I use extra light or light mayo and soya milk with a squeeze of lemon instead of buttermilk ( semi-skimmed and lemon works too.) Before it goes in the tin I add a lightly mashed banana or a handful of raspberries and I find that 20 mins in the oven is enough. I have friends that are lactose intolerant so this adapted recipe is ideal ( only light mayo tends to be dairy-free, extra light contains milk powder) Everyone that tries them asks for the recipe.

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  • Binder photo WendyBH

    28 February 2013

    WendyBH rated this recipe

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  • Binder photo Kathryn

    08 March 2013

    Kathryn rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Completely perfect, squishy brownie delight.

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  • Binder photo Mechref

    11 March 2013

    Mechref commented on this recipe

    Loved this recipe. I knew professional cooks (in the US at least) use mayonnaise to keep their cakes moist so I was keen to try this and I have to say that it really works!! The fact that it also reduces the fat content is a bonus. The brownies were just right. Not overly goopy and they remained moist until they disappeared. This will now be the family's standard brownie recipe. Thank you very much!

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  • Binder photo JillE

    03 April 2013

    JillE commented on this recipe

    Easy to make and delicious to eat!!

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  • Binder photo JillE

    03 April 2013

    JillE rated this recipe

    5 stars

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  • Binder photo diane27

    14 April 2013

    diane27 rated and commented on this recipe

    4 stars

    I have never baked brownies before as I am not a fan. I made these yesterday and the family loved them! Quick and easy! Much easier than the chocolate fairy cakes I have made for years. Recipe now in my binder as I will be making them for everyone again very soon :)

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  • Binder photo LittlePollyFlinders

    29 April 2013

    LittlePollyFlinders commented on this recipe

    It isn't fat that's bad for you it's sugar. There are 150 grams of sugar in this recipe as well as the sugar contained in the chocolate. I'd like to try this, but cutting down drastically on the sugar. I've tried a number of your flapjack recipes where I've cut the amount of sugar back as far as possible and they still work well.

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  • Binder photo Saffron-elise

    10 May 2013

    Saffron-elise commented on this recipe

    i didnt put any mayo in it coz didnt have any but hopefully they will turnt out just as good! they r in the oven so i cant wait 2 taste them!

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  • Binder photo Saffron-elise

    10 May 2013

    Saffron-elise commented on this recipe

    HI CloClo i used just milk choc in mine and they still turned out delicious so feel free to add milk choc if u want to!

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  • Binder photo sannah

    10 May 2013

    sannah rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    You would never guess that a) these were low fat and b) they contained mayonaise! Tasted more like a normal chocolate cake than a brownie but it did make a nice change and creates some interesting conversation when you tell people what is in them!!!

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  • Binder photo she draws pictures

    11 May 2013

    she draws pictures commented on this recipe

    a-mayonnaising! lol :)

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  • Binder photo Buckar00

    16 May 2013

    Buckar00 commented on this recipe

    These are great, made them many times and nobody can tell the difference, because I'm on a calorie controlled diet i made them even healthier, i substituted the 100g of caster sugar for 50g of trivia baking sweetener(only 100 calls), i didn't have muscovado so used caster sugar to replace that, no buttermilk so used natural yogurt, and i used sainsburys light mayonnaise, after working it all out each brownie in my version has just 128cals in and still delish, to their disappiontment i limited the kids to 2 each, i know for a fact if i didn't they would have eaten them all

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  • Binder photo Buckar00

    16 May 2013

    Buckar00 rated this recipe

    5 stars

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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)
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PER BROWNIE

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

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