Chewy, Fudgy Gluten-Free Brownies

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup melted butter(4 tbsp)
• 3 tbsp natural peanut butteralmond butter would also be delicious, and sunbutter could be used to make them nut free
• 1 room temp egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup coconut sugar
• 1 cup almond flour
• 1/4 cup cacao powder(Not the same as regular cocoa. Cacao is more bitter, less processed, and full of healthy nutrients. You could sub for regular cocoa if that's all you have, but I would suggest adding an additional 2 tablespoons or so since it is not as rich and chocolatey).
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp real salt

Optional

• 1/4 tsp almond extractthis is totally optional since some people don’t love almond extract. It can easily be very overwhelming, but I love the depth of flavor and “gourmet” touch it adds to these brownies. Just be careful to not add more the ¼ tsp, a little goes a long, delicious way
• 1/3 cup chocolate chipsObviously. I usually don’t bother adding them into the batter since they are rich and gooey enough as is, but I will sprinkle some on the top right before I bake them just because it seems to make my kids super happy.

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°, and line an 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper.

2. Melt butter and peanut butter in a small saucepan. Let it cool slightly before pouring into a medium sized bowl.

3. Add the egg, vanilla, and optional almond extract to the bowl with the butter/ peanut butter mixture and mix well with a fork until well combined.

4. Add all your dry ingredients on top of the wet ingredients in your bowl, except the optional chocolate chips. Stir with a spatula until all ingredients are well combined. The mixture will form a thick and sticky ball.

5. Using a spatula, spread the batter into the prepared baking dish and smooth until even. Add a few extra chocolate chips on top before baking.

6. Bake for approximately 25 minutes, or just until the center isn’t wiggly. With brownies, you always want to under-bake instead of overbake!

7. Let cool for at least an hour before slicing. If you slice them too soon, they won’t hold together well. If you must, go ahead and sneak a taste, but they will be very soft and you’ll get worried. And brownies should never make you worry. Once cooled, they become a perfect gooey, chewy, yet firm brownie.