Cardamom

"Skinny" Brownies

February 10, 2012
4.5
2 Ratings
  • Makes 12 brownies
Author Notes

When a friend pushed a version of this recipe on me, I was less than enthused. Neither a baker or a chocoholic, it took a recent blog hop featuring chocolate for me to try it. My recipe is adapted from one in the Weight Watchers "One Pot Cookbook" that features Amaretto. I switched it up, substituting Grand Marnier and adding orange juice and zest. Cardamom and ginger provided the spicy edge I wanted. I used decaf coffee granules instead of espresso, because that's what I had in the pantry. For a reduced calorie treat that's also low in fat and sodium, we think these are pretty terrific. —Lizthechef

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Ingredients
  • 1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose unbleached flour
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 pinch kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 large egg white
  • 3 tablespoons orange liqueur
  • zest of one navel orange
  • 4 tablespoons fresh orange juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 3/4 cup white sugar
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
  • 1 tablespoon instant coffee granules
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Grease an 8-inch square baking dish with the oil.
  3. Using a small bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, cardamom and ginger. Set aside.
  4. Using a large bowl, whisk together the egg, egg white, liqueur, orange zest, orange juice and vanilla.
  5. Add the sugar, melted butter, cocoa and coffee granules. Mix well.
  6. Stir in the flour mixture and the walnuts. Mix only until blended
  7. Pour into greased baking dish and bake for 18 minutes. Cool before cutting into squares.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

11 Reviews

Sherry E. January 25, 2015
just saw recipe, any sub's for the orange juice ideas? water ok?
Lizthechef January 25, 2015
The OJ really adds a nice flavor to the brownies - maybe coffee?
Sherry E. January 26, 2015
thank you!
mrslarkin February 17, 2012
I could eat the whole pan of these, Liz. Well done!
Lizthechef February 17, 2012
Thanks, Liz - that is exactly what we did ;)
drbabs February 13, 2012
Spicy brownies. Yum.
Lizthechef February 10, 2012
I apologize for the duplicate publish. And also for omitting the sugar in my original post. Can this old dog learn new tricks? Sigh.
Lizthechef February 10, 2012
Thanks, Mary - they are under 150 calories, I believe.
ellenl February 10, 2012
These sound terrific. I do love your style!
Lizthechef February 10, 2012
Hey, thanks - you made my day, especially after I accidentally double published...
dymnyno February 10, 2012
Oh. How I do love chocolate and walnuts together and this delivers and is low calorie too!!