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 41-60

  • Binder photo Mrs Horse

    15 June 2009

    Mrs Horse rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    I test-drove these as it's my husband's birthday this week and he wanted me to make cakes for his office - these are sooo yummy - nobody noticed they were supposed to be lower in fat! Our flatmate said that these were the best brownies he'd ever had in his whole life!

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  • Binder photo oana

    15 June 2009

    oana rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    very delicious! try with 150g of muscovado sugarand 1and 1/2 spoon of water-moister and caramelier. i added some pecan nuts too. try it!

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  • Binder photo JoFo

    16 June 2009

    JoFo rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    These are *amazing*! I made up a treble sized batch to take to work for my birthday, and they disappeared within minutes! No-one guessed the "secret" ingredient - I used light mayonnaise (just couldn't bring myself to use full-fat), and about 45% cocoa solid chocolate (Sainsbury's Basics), and they were delicious. So easy to make - I will definitely be doing these again.

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  • Binder photo jeannie

    27 June 2009

    jeannie rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Best ever!

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  • Binder photo letscook!

    18 July 2009

    letscook! commented on this recipe

    I love this recipe - definately the best choc brown recipe I have made and being reduced fat too!! They were particularly popular at pur school fete recently. Are there any suggestions how I can convert this recipe for gluten free diets??

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  • Binder photo littlechef

    22 July 2009

    littlechef commented on this recipe

    these were really nice and moist-no one guessed it had mayonnaise in it!

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  • Binder photo littlechef

    22 July 2009

    littlechef commented on this recipe

    these were really nice and moist-no one guessed it had mayonnaise in it!

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  • Binder photo Belkey

    03 August 2009

    Belkey rated and commented on this recipe

    4 stars

    These were slightly bitter for my taste, I would probably not use 70% dark chocolate next time, just regular dark chocolate. I will also reduce the cooking time by about 5 mins to see if that makes them slightly gooeyier. All in all though, a great way to lower the fat.

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  • Binder photo JoFo

    17 August 2009

    JoFo commented on this recipe

    Quick update - I made a double batch for a party, and only put one egg in (by accident - I got distracted!). This made them squidgier than previous batches (as in - the bottom of the pile got stuck to the row above!); however, I then reheated for about 5 mins on a low heat, and served with strawberries and icecream (we had Devon Clotted cream and fudge, but a white choloate or vanilla would work just as well) - delicious!

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  • Binder photo beth

    19 August 2009

    beth rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    worked really well! first time i have ever made brownies and everybody loved them. very very chocolatey

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  • Binder photo Claire Wood

    23 August 2009

    Claire Wood rated and commented on this recipe

    4 stars

    Turned out really nice, though not 'amazing'. I used light mayo and gluten free flour and they turned out well.

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  • Binder photo pansipotter

    02 September 2009

    pansipotter commented on this recipe

    Fantastic taste, easy to make. Even better warm with ice cream!

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  • Binder photo Janet W Yorks

    02 September 2009

    Janet W Yorks rated this recipe

    4 stars

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  • Binder photo ashleyhouston71

    23 September 2009

    ashleyhouston71 commented on this recipe

    these were quite nice, i forgot the coffee but i wouldnt imagine that to make a massive difference, would maybe try other recipes next time but thanks!

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  • Binder photo Hungray

    27 September 2009

    Hungray commented on this recipe

    A truly fabulous recipe. I have baked this recipe five times in one week. We cannot get enough of it. I must say though the thought of adding mayonaise to a cake mixture was a liitle strange to say the least! I have discovered it's even more superb if you use Green and Blacks organic plain chocolate (72% cocoa solid) and by adding chopped mixed nuts gives it a special crunch!!

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  • Binder photo MrsM

    06 October 2009

    MrsM rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    These were ideal for young children as they had lots of flavour but were not too rich. Easy to make and mine turned out just like the photo. Used milk choc as that was all we had. Lovely, lovely, lovely!! Will make again and again......

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  • Binder photo Kate Cooks

    23 October 2009

    Kate Cooks commented on this recipe

    Very simple and very tasty. I used a 20cm square tin and cooked for 25 minutes and they were perfect. Not as rich as other recipes as i've tried but on the plus side a bit healthier so you can eat more of them!

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  • Binder photo belline

    27 October 2009

    belline rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    I made these over the weekend for my boyfriends daughter and her two friends who were on a sleepover. Chocolate brownies are not my thing at all but I just wanted to agree that the recipe couldn't be easier to follow and make and the results are divine if you are a chocolate lover as I was assured by my young testers!!! :)

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  • Binder photo melaniecis

    29 October 2009

    melaniecis rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    I made these for my friend that loves brownies, he loved them. They were lovely and moist and no one realised they were low fat and I certainly didn't tell them. They were really easy to make but I did add a few chocolate chunks.

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  • Binder photo Summer

    11 November 2009

    Summer rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Excellent. Was dubious about mayonnaise but it works perfectly. Has gone down a treat with workmates. Easy peasy too.

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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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