Paleo Brownies

   Hey, so I guess I missed Monday and Tuesday this week??? Seriously, I thought today was Tuesday, I thought Tuesday was Wednesday, I think my brain is all scrambled up from summer! My (strange) kids are counting down the days for school to start. Seriously, who's kids are these? I wasn't ever happy to start school except for when I was home-schooled! I am a natural-born loner, and I'm happy to admit it! "14 days, 14 days" my girls were cheering this morning! I kept my mouth shut and let them be excited; who am I to project my fear/hatred of school onto my hilariously excited children? 
   Anyway, them reminding me of the impending school year got my mind working on things to pre-bake and put into the freezer to pack into lunches. These brownies are on the list. My kids are not paleo eaters, well, not completely. Caleb is gluten-free, and I'd say 70% of the girls food is gluten-free (by default because of Caleb being gluten-free and me being paleo), but I've been thinking about trying a little harder to clean up the kids' food a bit more this coming school year. Oh, I will still be feeding them McDonalds once in a while, and treats will always be in the house, but I want to try to get all our percentages closer together as far as what we eat. We'll see how it goes...it might be a complete failure, but I will at least try! So, these brownies are on the list (uh, I already said that...), and I've got some almond butter banana muffins to make, granola bars, and some sort of healthy/paleo cookies. Probably my double chocolate avocado cookies. 
   Moving on, here's the brownies! 

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup coconut oil (or ghee), room temperature (not melty and runny though. If you're oil or ghee is like that, put it into the fridge for 5-10 minutes to get it a little more solid) 
  
• 3/4 Cup coconut sugar
• 1 Egg
  
• 1 Tsp vanilla
  
• 1/2 Tsp baking soda
  
• 1/2 Tsp arrowroot or tapioca starch
• 1/2 Tsp salt
  
• 1 Cup cocoa powder (use the best you can find, it will give you a more rich chocolate experience! If you prefer less chocolatey, use any cocoa)
  
• 1/2 Cup walnuts (optional)
  

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.  Line an 8x8 baking pan with parchment, leaving some overhang as "handles" if you want to pull them out. You can also just grease the pan slightly, and you can just cut them in the pan and lift them out that way. I prefer to lift the whole lot out of the pan and onto a cutting board though, but that's just me!  :) 
2. Cream together the oil and sugar. Add the egg and vanilla and mix until combined. 
3. In a small bowl mix together the baking soda, the starch you chose, salt, and cocoa and add to the wet ingredients, mixing until combined (it can take a few minutes to work it all together). 
4. Stir in the nuts if you're using 'em.
5. Now just dump the whole mess into the prepared baking pan.
6. Bake in pre-heated oven for 11-13 minutes. Test the centre by pricking with a fork or toothpick and see if it comes out with just a few crumbs, that means they're ready. 
7. Remove from the oven and cool if you want....or just get a fork and start eating them warm out of the pan...whatever floats your boat! 

   The first time I made these it was an experiment (as expected!), but I was hilariously surprised by how they turned out! We were having friends over, and I had a small strawberry cake for the kids and the non-paleo adults, and I made this for myself, really (I was willing to share if it tasted good)! I cut them, and took a bite, and said out loud, "wow! These turned out really well!". My husband laughed and said, "I thought you weren't suppose to make dessert for guests that you hadn't tried before?". Yes, that is, or was, a rule at some point, but I rarely make dessert except for guests because I don't want to find myself eating all of what I've made by myself! I often make desserts for the first time for guests, sometimes it's a success, and sometimes it's a complete failure! 
   Anywho, that first time I made them I (super-duper) enjoyed it topped with coconut whipped cream and berries. Yummm-o. I've since made and enjoyed them plain, with almond butter sandwiched between two, and also with sliced banana on top. These brownies are dense, moist, and so very good! 
   
Happy Wednesday everyone!!