Fudgy Chocolate Brownies, true to their name, boast a deliciously dense texture while also being health-conscious, thanks to the substitution of extra virgin olive oil for butter.
Why you want to make Fudgy Chocolate Brownies with Olive Oil
- Indulgent Texture: These Fudgy Chocolate Brownies deliver on their promise with a decadently dense texture, offering a rich and satisfying bite that chocolate lovers crave.
- Healthier Alternative: By swapping out butter for heart-healthy extra virgin olive oil, these brownies offer a more nutritious option without sacrificing flavor or texture, making them suitable for those seeking a healthier treat.
- Guilt-Free Enjoyment: Indulge in the irresistible taste of chocolate without the guilt, as these brownies provide a delightful balance between indulgence and health consciousness, perfect for satisfying cravings without compromising on wellness goals.
The Healthy Benefit of Using Olive Oil
Substituting extra virgin olive oil for saturated fats can lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, which clogs arteries with fatty deposits. Olive oil contains more monounsaturated (“good”) fat per serving than any other cooking oil. Monounsaturated fats help lower LDL cholesterol and increase HDL (“good”) cholesterol, which cleanses the arteries.
It might seem strange at first, baking with extra virgin olive oil, but overall, it's not. You can use olive oil to replace melted butter in almost any recipe. Now you wouldn't want to use a fine, finishing oil in these recipes, nothing with a lot of grass or pepper notes, but neutral olive oil works just fine.
Is it a Brownie or Fudge?
This recipe for Fudgy Chocolate Brownies results in brownies that are more fudge-like. As for the chocolate, you can make these with Perugina, as I did, or another high-quality chocolate brand. Since the chocolate you use is the most important taste component, whatever you buy, make sure it's at least 70% cocoa.
Nut or no Nuts
You can make these brownies with or without nuts. I personally love walnuts in my brownies, so I add them. If adding be sure to toast the nuts before you add them.
Toasting the nuts brings out the nuttiness.
The batter for these brownies is very thick so I suggest you use a rubber spatula to spread the batter evenly in the pan. Lining the pan with aluminum foil first helps when removing them from the pan. It's not entirely necessary as you could cut them in the pan and remove them, but I like being able to take the whole batch out and cutting them neatly on a board. Just my own personal preference, plus, I don't have a pan to wash.
These brownies will stay, unrefrigerated, for up to 4 days in an airtight container; if they last that long!
For more delicious chocolaty goodness...
How to Make Fudgy Chocolate Brownies Using Olive Oil
Ingredients
- 6 ounces good quality 70% cocoa bittersweet chocolate; chopped
- ½ cup mild-flavored extra virgin olive oil or other vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ - ¾ cup toasted chopped walnuts optional
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350° F. Line an 8 x 8 glass baking dish with aluminum foil. Spray lightly with cooking spray.
- In a small saucepan, combine the olive oil and chocolate; cook over medium-low heat, whisk vigorously, until combined and smooth. Remove from heat and bring to room temperature.
- In a large bowl, combine the eggs, sugar, cocoa, vanilla, and salt; mix on medium-low until well combined. Add the cooled chocolate and mix well; add the flour and stir until no white streaks remain. Add nuts, if using, and stir well into the batter.
- Transfer the batter to the baking dish and bake about 25 -30 minutes, or until a tester, inserted in the middle, comes out clean. Remove from the oven and cool completely before cutting.
Poppy says
No brownie has lasted 4 days in my house - no container required!
LindySez says
Ha Ha! Make, eat, enjoy!