Thursday, August 6, 2009

Low Fat Fudgy Brownies

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A lower fat fudgy brownie that actually tastes good exists!! This was just too exciting because I don't usually like regular brownies. They're just too rich for me, but most low fat brownies come off tasting like cardboard and have a weird texture. Finding the right recipe was going to be difficult, but once again, Cook's Illustrated came to the rescue. They managed to lower the fat just enough without skimping on flavour. I adapted their low fat fudgy brownies by removing the extra egg white, adding instant coffee and following King Arthur's directions to get that crust I love so much. I like it better without the extra egg white because I think lightens the texture up too much. You won't get quite the density, heaviness (or greasiness) of a full fat brownie...obviously since these contain a fraction of the amount of fat, but you won't feel cheated on flavour and texture either. The best part was the surprise reaction I got from my friends and family after I told them the brownie was low fat.

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I had to be careful not to overbake these because they are lower in fat. It's just as important not to underbake them either or the texture might end up being gummy and you'll feel like you're eating goo. These are ready when the center looks slightly puffed and a toothpick inserted into the center has sticky crumbs attached. If the toothpick comes out clean, then they'll be overdone and dry. You also have to make sure you don't overmeasure the flour or else they will be dry and lose its fudginess. I will definitely be making these again!

Low Fat Fudgy Brownies
Adapted from Cooks Illustrated

3/4 cup (3.75 oz) all-purpose flour
1/3 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
1/2 t baking powder
1/4 t salt
2 oz bittersweet chocolate, chopped
2 T unsalted butter
2 T low-fat sour cream
1 T chocolate syrup
2 t vanilla
1 egg
1 egg white (I omitted)
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp instant coffee granules (I added)

Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat to 350.
Fold 2, 12-inch pieces foil lengthwise so each measures 7 inches wide. Fit sheets into 8-inch square pan, pushing foil into corners and up sides of pan (to help remove brownies--optional).
Spray foil or pan with cooking spray.
Whisk dry ingredients together.
Melt bittersweet chocolate and butter in large bowl over a double boiler until smooth.

(This is the part I changed: Add sugar and mix until slightly melted. It will look grainy because there is so little liquid. Add sour cream, syrup, vanilla and whisk, add egg and whisk, fold in dry ingredients until combined)

(The original directions tell you to: whisk in sour cream, syrup, vanilla, eggs, and sugar. Fold in dry ingredients until combined.)

Bake until slightly puffed and toothpick inserted in center comes out with a few sticky crumbs attached, 20-25 min.
Cool completely on wire rack.

44 comments:

  1. I think low fat cookies, and things low fat usually's not that good but you brownies really looks how delicious! I have to try these out :))

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  2. Oh a low fat brownie thats delicious, YAY! It certainly looks terrific!

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  3. Good job on sourcing a lower fat brownie that doesn't lose the flavour. They look wonderful.

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  4. Yeah those really are pretty low-fat. I like the brownie recipe they have in their low fat cookbook, but these look more fudgy. Must be the sour cream or something.

    I'll have to give these a try, because I know we have similar chocolate tastes :)

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  5. When I read the title - my first thought was "sacrilege" (sort of like my thoughts when I see "low fat ice cream". The pictures and your comments changed my mind and I may have to try this - it sounds like it could be great with some very high fat vanilla ice cream!

    Great job - thanks for sharing!

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  6. Great pictures! Your brownies look awesome! I love finding recipes that manage to lower the fat and keep things delicious :)

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  7. hmmm if you say it was good then I believe you. some of those low-fat brownies are awful tasting. I trust CI completely and I am a brownie-freak. I should try these right?
    (thank you for your warm, sweet comments: I adored it!)

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  8. These look incredibly good! They look so chocolatety. An added bonus is having one without the guilt!

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  9. Your photos are just amazing! Seriously! And so are these brownies. I'm definitely making these for a cookout weekend after next.

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  10. I've been meaning to try these since I saw them whenever the magazine came out. I do prefer it when someone else tries these kinds of things first though. ;)

    They look wicked good, I'll have to give them a shot!

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  11. These brownies do look perfect and it makes it even better that they are lower fat! I love it when people don't realize that and love it anyway.

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  12. I like the new look!

    Fantastic photos! Your brownie looks excellent, sounds delish, and I don't really care for "plain" brownies.
    ~ingrid

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  13. Hi, Those DO look really good...perfect crusty top...last lower fat brownies I tried were more like cake than brownies...but these do look good!!
    Peace, Stephanie

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  14. wow I can t believe these are low fat!

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  15. These look perfect! and healthy too!

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  16. they may be lower in fat but they look just as good!

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  17. That brownie looks wonderful. I've never seen a low-fat brownie that even looked anywhere near that good. I will definitely have to try this. Thanks for sharing!

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  18. This is probably the best looking brownie picture I've seen so far online. It looks so chocolaty, moist and decadent. Well done!

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  19. Gorgeous pictures. They look very chocolatey.

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  20. These look fabulous! And thanks for the tip on how to make the tops crisp YUM!!

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  21. I definitely need to give this recipe a try! YUM!

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  22. This sounds so unbelievable... less fat brownies!!! LOL Gotta try those!

    LOL Can you tell I was on vacation? LOL ...all together comments!

    Hope summer's treating you right!

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  23. It sure doesn't look "low fat." Love that fudgy goodness. Looks awesome!

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  24. These look delicious! I hope to try them soon.

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  25. I will have to try that for sure, it looks de-lish and I love yummy lower fat baked goods!

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  26. I'm dying to know if these were REALLY good. I've tried several low fat brownie recipes and have yet to find one that doesn't taste like chocolate flavored cardboard!

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  27. I just don't believe that something that good looking could be low-fat. Guess I'll just have to make them to see for myself. :)

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  28. I tried making low fat brownies once with prune and they were not good! Yours looks really fudgy and chocolatey! Can't wait to try this!

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  29. Great pics and your tips are really useful!

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  30. Awesome. I am always looking for good brownie recipes, full fat or otherwise ;) I have a feeling these are still pretty high on calories though (at least as big as I like to slice them, lol :)

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  31. Woah!! Never would I dream that the words low fat and fudge brownie could ever be in the same phrase!! Yipee!! Oh, and Steph... I have an award for you on my blog! :)

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  32. this looks yummy, definitely wanna try this out someday.

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  33. Nice recipe! We always buy the low-fat boxed brownies, but have never tried to make our own.

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  34. low fat + brownie = exist?? haha I will have to try these.

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  35. OOo yum Steph!! These look awesome. Saving the recipe. Thanks for all the tips. =)

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  36. I made these and they were great! Very easy to follow recipe. Would be interested in the nutritional breakdown to see how low fat they are....!

    Yummy, am keen to make them again soon :)

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  37. Thanks so much for this recipe. It is just what I needed. They disappeared instantly in my apartment. I barley salvaged one for a photo! I added some Kahlua... I posted today (flirtingwithflour.blogspot.com) and provided a link back to your blog. :)

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  38. Lovely pictures..I feel like having one of those brownies now..cant wait to try them. Thanks for the post.

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  39. hi, your brownies look so yummy. What do you mean with (1 T, 2 T) in the lists of ingredients???

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  40. Thanks for your answer. i'll try this for sure.

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  41. hi steph... i tried these and they were awesome. I made a few modifications. Next time I will consider your suggestion and skip the egg white, you are probably right, it will lighten the brownies.
    thanks so much... i really love your blog, so simple and elegant.
    -nisha

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  42. These look so good..Can't wait to try them!

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  43. I've tried made these brownies and it's by far the best recipe i've ever tried :)
    thankyou ^.^

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