Fudgy Sweet Potato Brownie; Comforting Dessert With Caramelized Apples

This recipe post will guide you through creating this heavenly Sweet Potato Brownie. Get ready to discover the perfect balance of sweetness, texture, and nutritional goodness. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a kitchen novice, this recipe is designed for everyone to enjoy. So, let’s preheat those ovens and get started!

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Hi friends,

Welcome to my kitchen again! It’s good to have you here. Today, I want to share a delightful recipe for sweet potato brownie with caramelized apples. It sounds incredible, right?
There is something about chocolate that can’t beat anything else. We will discuss chocolate more later, but for now, get ready to enjoy the rich, fudgy goodness of a sweet potato brownie that is not only delicious but also packed with wholesome ingredients.

Whether you are baking for a special occasion, someone’s birthday, or simply treating yourself or your family, this sweet potato brownie is sure to impress with its rich taste and nutritional benefits. Let’s dive into this baking adventure!

Let’s talk about DARK chocolate (An overview of its biological activity & fortification)

I used to avoid chocolate (primarily because of my allergic condition), and I still do not eat regular chocolate candies in stores. However, I sometimes love buying good quality 100% dark chocolate and having a piece daily or every two days with honey or Medjool dates. Oh, this is heaven.
I have heard so many positive and negative comments about chocolate alone. How is it? Can we eat it? Or should we avoid it?

I will show you some medical research I found about the benefits and risks of eating chocolate. In those moments when everyone says something else, we can’t find one correct answer, and everyone has to make wise decisions. We can choose through the source of information we base our thinking on.

I talk here about dark chocolate with no other ingredients in it.

Dark chocolate contains several health-promoting factors (bioactive components—polyphenols, flavonoids, procyanidins, theobromines, etc., and vitamins and minerals) that positively modulate the immune system of humans. It is a functional food due to its anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial properties. It also has a well-established role in weight management and altering a lipid profile in a healthy direction. 

It is essential to understand that during the processing of dark chocolate, several nutrients are lost (polyphenols, flavonoids, flavan three ol, ascorbic acid, and thiamine). That’s why there is another method called fortification. The fortification was done with numerous ingredients like fruits (mulberry), spices and herbs (cinnamon), probiotics (Lactobacillus), prebiotics (inulin, Xanthan gum), etc. Those fortifications are aimed not only to improve the nutritional qualities of dark chocolate but also to be used for a therapeutic purpose to avoid the early occurrence of degenerative diseases.

These health benefits are due to the presence of cocoa in chocolate. The main antioxidant phytonutrients present in the cocoa bean are polyphenols and flavonoids. Ten percent of the cocoa bean’s dry weight is composed of polyphenols. The most abundant flavonoids in cocoa powder are catechins, anthocyanins, and proanthocyanidins. Due to this characteristic, chocolate is considered a functional food; it has a positive relationship with preventing degenerative diseases such as diabetes, obesity, Alzheimer’s disease, etc.

HOW TO CHOOSE WISELY?

When health issues come to mind, proper selection should be made. Instead of milk chocolate, dark chocolate will be a better option because of its higher polyphenol and flavonoid content. Dark chocolate’s total polyphenol and flavonoid content is five times higher than in milk and white chocolate. 

Read the whole study here.

Risks of Chocolate consumption: how to choose wisely

It’s essential to enjoy chocolate in moderation and choose darker varieties with higher cocoa content to maximize potential health benefits while minimizing added sugars and fat risks. Individual tolerance and moderation are critical to maintaining a healthy balance, as with any food or dietary component.

Speaking with my own experience, because I was born with atopic dermatitis condition and in the past, I used to eat a lot of chocolate candies there came a time I stopped eating any chocolate products. I wanted to see if I am allergic to chocolate in general. I heard about some risks and potential dangers of its consumption. That’s why I became a bit controversial and avoided it. Later, I realized I was not allergic to cocoa and chocolate (dark) at all. The problem is the high sugar and fat content in those ultra-processed candies. That is my own experience. Nowadays, I sometimes buy 100% dark chocolate and eat a small piece daily.

There are some risk factors when consuming chocolate which we need to be aware of:

• Caloric and Sugar Content: Many chocolate products, especially milk and white chocolate, are high in sugar and calories, contributing to weight gain and increased risk of diabetes and other metabolic disorders if consumed excessively.
  
• Caffeine and Theobromine: Chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine, which can have stimulant effects. While moderate consumption is generally safe for most people, excessive intake can lead to issues like insomnia, anxiety, and heart palpitations.
  
• Allergies and Sensitivities: Some individuals may be allergic or sensitive to components in chocolate, such as milk proteins, cocoa, or additives like nuts, leading to allergic reactions or digestive issues.

Why you will love this sweet potato brownie recipe?

• Easy to make
• Wholesome ingredients
• Easy way to increase vegetable consumption, especially for kids
• If you like fudgy, true brownie consistency; this recipe is for you
• Natural sweetenes of sweet potato increase the rich flavor
• Caramelised apples and cayenne pepper to boost the flavor and uniqness
• Healthier dessert option
• Fully plant-based
• Comforting recipe with a healthier variations to satisfy your cravings

Everything you need to make sweet potato brownie

BROWNIE

• Sweet potato puree
• Spelt flour
• Soy drink
• Cacao powder
• Dark chocolate
• Oil (no-taste)
• Brown coconut sugar
• Baking soda
• Vanilla powder & extract
• Cayenne pepper powder
• Pinch of salt

CARAMELISED APPLES

• Apples
• Coconut oil/ butter
• Cinnamon
• Maple syrup/ honey
• Pinch of salt

ADDITIONALY

• Vanilla ice creams or vanilla pudding for serving

How to make sweet potato brownie from scratch

STEP 1

If you do not have store-bought sweet potato puree, make it yourself. You can either boil or bake sweet potatoes. I decided to use the boiling method. To make it:
Wash sweet potatoes, cut them halfway through, and place them in a pot. Cover with water and add a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil and cook until soft and tender. Afterward, peel the sweet potatoes off the skin and mash them with a fork or blend them in a food processor.

STEP 2

Preheat the oven to 180 C degrees (375 F).

Crush the roasted hazelnuts by chopping or blending them in a food processor. You can chop them into more significant pieces; it depends on what you like. You will add them to the end on top of the brownie before baking, along with pumpkin seeds.

STEP 3

Prepare caramelized apples. Wash 3-4 medium size apples and chop them into small pieces.
Add coconut oil or butter to the frypan; when it’s melted, add apples. On low heat, caramelize them and cover them with the lid. Add cinnamon, a pinch of salt, and maple syrup when they soften up a bit. Stir and continue caramelizing until nice and brown. Turn the heat off, cover the caramelized apples with the lid, and set them aside while preparing the brownie batter.

STEP 4

In a mixing bowl add light spelt flour, pinch of salt, baking soda and cayenne pepper. Stir to combine. You can sift everything.

STEP 5

In a second mixing bowl add sweet potato puree, cacao powder, wanilla powder & extract, and blended chocolate. I used coffe blender to blend chocolate as fine as possible.

STEP 6

In a small pot, boil soy milk until hot. Pour the soy milk over the ingredients, and using a whisk, stir everything vigorously. Continue mixing until you reach a fine, smooth consistency. When the chocolate is melted, add the oil and brown sugar and stir again to mix everything thoroughly.

STEP 7

Add flour once you reach the smooth consistency of the sweet potato chocolate batter. Add it gradually so it’s easier to stir and combine everything.

STEP 8

As you can see and feel, the batter is thick, and that’s how it’s supposed to be. We aim for the fudgy brownie texture achieved after baking when you add all the flour and mix everything.
Line a baking mold with parchment paper and place the brownie batter in. Press it to cover the entire space with the batter.

STEP 9

Place caramelized apples on top. Press them to combine with the brownie batter. Sprinkle roasted, crushed hazelnuts and pumpkin seeds on top.

STEP 10

Place the cake in the preheated oven (170 C degrees) and bake the sweet potato brownie for 20-25 minutes. Afterward, turn the oven off, remove the cake, and let it rest for some time.

SERVE!

Serve the sweet potato brownie with vanilla ice cream and vanilla pudding, pour more maple syrup on top, and enjoy it to the fullest.

Do you want more deliciousness? Check these recipes out!

Easy Cherry Banana Muffins (Plant-Based & No Sugar)

Best Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

The Only Best Apple Cinnamon Muffin Recipe You Will Ever Need and Love!

Incredibly Moist & Easy Pumpkin Bread (No Sugar & No Mixer!)

How to store homemade sweet potato brownie; helpful tips

Proper storage is key to maintaining the freshness and texture of homemade brownies. Here are some tips on how to store them:

• Cool Completely: Allow your homemade brownies to cool completely in the baking pan or on a wire rack before storing them. This helps prevent condensation and soggy bottoms.
  
• Cut Into Portions: Before storing, cut the brownies into individual portions or squares. This makes it easier to grab a serving without cutting into the whole batch each time.
  
• Air-Tight Container: Place the cut brownies in an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid. This helps to keep them fresh and prevents them from drying out.
  
• Layering: If stacking the brownies in the container, place parchment paper or wax paper between the layers to prevent them from sticking together.
  
• Room Temperature: Brownies can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for 2-3 days. For longer storage, it’s best to refrigerate or freeze them.
  
• Refrigeration: If you live in a warm or humid climate or your brownies have perishable fillings like cream cheese. Please place them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly with plastic wrap.
  
• Freezing: Brownies can be frozen for longer-term storage. To prevent freezer burn, wrap individual portions or the whole batch tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Alternatively, use a freezer-safe container or freezer bags. Frozen brownies can last for several months.

I hope you will enjoy this sweet potato brownie recipe and get inspiration from today’s post. Let me know in the comment section below if you tried it and liked it. If there is anything I can do for you, please don’t hesitate to write me. I would love to connect with you and help you even more!  
Domi