These Fudgy Teff Brownies are not only decadently rich, but gluten-free, refined sugar-free, and packed with healthy teff flour.
The school year is now in full swing and I, of course, think daily about what I'm going to have as an after-work treat. Nothing changes, does it? My sister was in town recently and we got into a conversation about our back-to-school rituals when growing up. Mine, even as a grade school kid, was all about writing lists. (Really, nothing changes).
Turn alarm clock off. Check.
Get dressed. Check.
Brush hair. Check.
Eat breakfast (Cocoa Puffs, always). Check.
Brush teeth. Check.
Grab backpack and lunch and stand at the bus stop. Check, check, check.
Make sure everything on list is checked off. Check!
My lists were sometimes so detailed it's a wonder I ever got out of the house. And while nowadays my lists are color-coded with boxes and checkmarks and stars, this year the lists may be a bit shorter. After much thought and a heavy heart, this past spring I decided to step down from my swim coaching positions for this new year. While coaching has given me so much joy, and the camaraderie you feel as part of a team is absolutely contagious, the schedule I was carrying was taking a toll. Already struggling with getting my thyroid levels back to normal and pushing through a grueling schedule of early mornings, evenings, and weekends, other related health issues started rearing their ugly head.
I've learned too many times that I am really good at pushing things to the limit. And at some point, something has to give. It always does. In this case my health was waving all kinds of red flags and I continued to figure that I'd deal with them later. But its not just me that suffers the consequences anymore; I have a husband, a partner, who takes really good care of me, and to push it to the limit means I'm taking him with me. Not exactly fair or healthy or fun.
So these fudgy teff brownies. To say that I've made several batches of these would be an understatement. Since posting my teff almond butter cookies I have been experimenting more with teff flour and thought brownies would be the perfect vehicle for this teeny-tiny, nutty flavored grain.
Teff is full of protein, fiber, essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals, so a thick, fudgy brownie that reaped those benefits and tasted decadently chocolatey felt like a worthy challenge.
My other goal here, other than making a yummy nutrition packed brownie, was to keep the ingredients as simple as possible. A recipe you know by heart.
I think both were accomplished — although I may have it memorized due to 7 batches in a row — but still, brownie goals were met all the same.
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Fudgy Teff Brownies (Gluten-Free, Refined Sugar-Free)
Ingredients
- ½ cup teff flour
- 1 cup coconut sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 stick unsalted butter plus extra for pan
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 eggs room temperature
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease an 8x8 baking pan.
- In a large bowl, combine teff flour, coconut sugar, and salt. Set aside.
- In a small saucepan over low heat, add butter. Once butter starts to melt, add unsweetened cocoa powder, whisking occasionally until butter has completely melted and cocoa powder and butter have fully combined. Remove from heat and allow to cool for about 3 minutes.
- After the cocoa/butter mixture has cooled for a few minutes, add the vanilla extract, whisk, then whisking in one egg at a time. Make sure the eggs are at room temperature as the cocoa/butter mixture will still be warm. Once the third egg has been added, whisk until mixture is smooth and creamy. Add mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until fully combined. Fold in dark chocolate chips and transfer to the baking pan.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out mostly clean. Cool on a wire rack. Overbaking will cause these teff brownies to be drier than desired.
Notes
Kathryn
I think learning that you can't do everything and working out exactly how you balance what you want to do vs what you're actually able to do is one of the hardest parts of being a grown up (especially but not only when you're dealing with health issues too). It sounds like it was a hard decision for you to give up your coaching responsibilities but I hope it brings you that much-needed balance. As for these brownies? I'm making them asap! I have a bag of teff flour at home and haven't worked out quite what to do with it yet. Now I have my answer!
Tessa
You are so right! Definitely one of the hardest parts of being a grown up. Sometimes being grown up is overrated. Ha. I am so happy you tried and liked the brownies! They make really good brownie sundaes too. :)
Traci | Vanilla And Bean
Lists.. I get it! I make so many lists and notes, sometimes I forget to look at them later. But then I find, I can recall what's on those lists better than if I were just to make a mental list. Lists are good! No doubt trying to find balance is challenging. Lately, I've not been making working out a priority.. this has to change. I do everything else that I need to and there's just no time left in the day. I'm thinking now... who has time for sleep!? I hope to become a better balancer! It's a work in progress. I'm dealing with hypothyroid and up until last year, my numbers were right in the zone, and then boom! They're all over the place?! It's frustrating and it's taken almost a year to improve. I blame it on stress (and my inability to quell it)... but who knows.
I've not baked with Teff, but I'm reading more about it's benefits. These brownies look absolutely divine.. so rich and dark and packed with good stuff. Thank you for this, Tessa!
Tessa
Thank you, Traci!! Aren't the up and down thyroid levels so infuriating?! It feels like it affects everything sometimes. I know my stress levels have not helped either. Working out is something I know is good for all of that but it is so hard to fit in sometimes. Lists certainly help. Haha. :) I hope your levels continue to stay in the place they should, my friend. Happy weekend!
Alison @Food by Mars
I want this as an after work treat!! Stunning.. and simple ingredients - love it.
Tessa
It is the best kind of after work treat! Or second breakfast at work treat, whichever you prefer. ;) Thanks, Alison!
Sam -- SugarSpunRun
These sound so tasty, love how fudgy they are! :)
Tessa
Thank you, Sam! They are fudgy and rich - definitely a decadent treat! :)
Pang {circahappy}
I am glad you cut back on your schedule, Tessa, because nothing matters if you have a bad health. I was in your situation, though different illness, a few years back; it got so bad that I needed to do more aggressive treatment instead of taking the pills. All the accomplishments at that time meant less & less when my health was in its tailspin. So, I hope you feel better soon, and I hope you have less & less checklists :)
About this brownie, oh my goodness, how you managed to make it look so fudgy with all those health benefits. Genius!!!! Love Love Love :)
Tessa
Aw, thank you, Pang! You are so right - the accomplishments really start to not matter when your health is spiraling. Not a fun spot to be in! I hope you are feeling 100% these days!! Hope you are enjoying this holiday weekend! :)
erin {yummy supper}
Tess, your teff brownies look amazing. I haven't played with teff in my own kitchen, but it looks like I should be! Your brownies could be the perfect way to start.
And I hear you on the health front, my body gives red flags too. I can only push it so far before something gives. It's a lifelong lesson for me.
Hope you're well and taking care,
E
Tessa
Definitely a lifelong lesson here too. Someday I hope to be much better (or quicker) at listening to my body. :)
Thank you for your kind words, Erin! The more I use teff, the more I love it. It lends a nutty sort of flavor that I really like.
Hope you are doing well! xo.