The most fudgy brownies you’ve ever had, plus a healthy mint matcha frosting. Loaded with healthy fats, antioxidants and we’re sneaking in some collagen peptides for skin and joint health!
This post is sponsored by my partnership with Vital Proteins. Thank you for your continued support in allowing me to partner with brands I trust and enjoy working with!
One sure-fire way my body is trying to tell me I am stressed? Canker sores. (What a way to start off a post, Ashley… Canker sores… Just bear with me.)
Without fail I WILL get canker sores when I am stressed out. It’s something I have noticed since college. No matter how much I try to avoid the other symptoms of stress (i.e. not sleeping well, super irritable, possibly on the verge of tears) the canker sores surface and then it finally hits me. It’s like a slap in the mouth (literally) saying “Hey Ashley, slow your roll. You’re only one person. Take a deep breath.”
So over the past few days I have had to take (several) deep breaths and remind myself to take one day at a time.
Ways to de-stress
Lie on the floor in corpse pose. But seriously… Even better if you can find a sunny spot in the room–yes, like a cat or dog would….
Journal in the morning. Before the craziness of the morning happens, down a glass of water and take 10 minutes to write down a few things you’re grateful for. It helps keeps things in perspective. Sometimes I’ll write down how my previous day was and end the passage with a little pep talk for how I envision the day to come.
Exercise first thing in the morning. As hard as it can be to get out of bed, getting in some movement first thin in the morning is a great mood-lifter. Good for the body and soul, exercise releases feel-good hormones that carry with you throughout the day. Even if it’s five minutes and a circuit of 3 different moves, it helps! i.e. push-ups, squats, planks, repeat
Bake. You had know that one was coming right? Alright maybe for some this might not be a stress-free activity but of course for some of you this applies! Not only can the process of baking help to de-stress, but then you get to eat the de-stressing baked good. It’s a double whammy of de-stressing tactics.
And OBVIOUSLY I have the best thing for you to bake next time you’re feeling stressed
paleo fudgy flourless brownies with mint matcha frosting
I can’t get over how good these brownies are. They’re the ultimate fudgy brownie. Almost like those ones you get by the case with all of the different toppings and flavors from places like Costco… you know, the brownies you buy for open houses, showers, huge parties. And everyone is all “Oh my gosh who made those brownies?!” And then it’s a kept secret because they actually came out of a box.
But NOW you can make these brownies and proudly own the fact that they were made in your kitchen. And maybe slip in that they just so happen to be flourless, grain-free (and gluten-free) and secretly better for you than the store-bought ones.
For the Brownies
- dairy free dark chocolate
- coconut oil
- cacao powder
- salt
- vanilla
- eggs
- coconut sugar
The first couple of ingredients for the brownies gets combined in a sauce pan to melt the chocolate and the coconut oil together, before adding in the cacao powder, salt and vanilla. You then mix the eggs and coconut sugar in a separate bowl, one at a time until smooth, before gently folding into the cooled melted chocolate mixture. Give it a good stir then transfer the batter to a square pan to bake for about 35 minutes.
The hard part here is waiting. Not only are you waiting for the brownies to bake, but then you’re also waiting for them to cool… IDEALLY for 3-4 hours, if not overnight. I know I know, but chilling the brownies will make sure they set properly for the ultimate fudge factor. The bonus for this is that if you’re making these for a party, you can make them the night before 😉
And fudgy brownies like this NEED a frosting. It’s basically a rule.
for the frosting
- coconut cream
- matcha
- mint extract
- honey
- vital proteins collagen peptides
Yes, that is right. We are sneaking in some collagen peptides into the mint matcha frosting for a little health boost. This frosting just went from average to way awesome. Except is mint matcha frosting really average? … I digress.
So now from the frosting you’re getting a little does of antioxidants from the matcha, healthy fats from the coconut cream, AND a skin and joint health protein boost from the collagen peptides.
If you aren’t familiar with collagen peptides and what it has to offer, be sure to check out this post (and this one too!)
For the frosting you just whip together the coconut cream, honey, matcha, mint extract and collagen peptides until smooth. Spread on the brownies and transfer the pan back to the fridge for 20 minutes (or freezer for 10 minutes). This will set the coconut cream and you’ll get smoother cuts when slicing into the brownies!
PRO TIP: Run a large, sharp knife under warm water for a few minutes then wipe dry. Slice into brownies to get smooth cuts, but rinse and wipe knife clean between each slice to get clean-cut squares.
Paleo Flourless Fudgy Brownies with Matcha Mint Frosting
The most fudgy brownies you’ve ever had, plus a healthy mint matcha frosting. This paleo and flourless brownie recipe doesn’t require fancy ingredients and they’re simple to make. Loaded with healthy fats, antioxidants and we’re sneaking in some collagen peptides for skin and joint health!
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 35 mins
- Total Time: 50 mins
- Yield: 20 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: oven
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
for the brownies
- 6 TBS coconut oil*
- 8 oz quality dark chocolate 60% (1 1/2 cups dairy-free chips, or 2 4oz quality bars, chopped)
- 1 TBS water
- 1/4 cup cacao powder (or unsweetened cocoa)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup coconut sugar**
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
mint matcha frosting
- 1 14oz canned coconut cream (discard water/save for smoothies)
- 2 scoops collagen peptides
- 1 TBS quality matcha powder
- 1/2 tsp peppermint extract
- 1 TBS honey (or 1–2 drops liquid stevia)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300F, line a 9×9 or 8×8 square pan with parchment paper, or greased foil, allowing overhang on edges of pan. Set aside.
- In a heavy saucepan over medium heat, melt coconut oil and the dark chocolate together, stirring constantly until fully combined. Remove from heat, stir in cacao powder and salt until smooth. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl using whisk or electric mixer, beat together sugar and eggs one at a time, until smooth, about 3 minutes. Then stir in vanilla extract.
- Gently fold in half of the egg mixture into the pan of melted chocolate until combined, then add in the last half of the egg mixture stirring until fully combined and mixture is smooth.
- Pour brownie batter to prepared square pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes until edges have slightly risen. Middle may appear underdone, but everything will set and fall upon cooling. The key is to not over-bake them!
- Allow brownies to cool in pan completely, then cover and refrigerate 2 hours (or overnight).
- Before you’re ready to serve the brownies, prepare the frosting: in a medium bowl using electric mixer (or whisk attachment in stand mixer) whip together coconut cream, collagen peptides, matcha powder, peppermint extract, and honey until smooth. Remove brownies from refrigerator, spread on frosting using spatula, covering brownies evenly. Carefully lift brownies from pan, placing on cutting board. Using a large, sharp knife gently cut into 20 squares. TIP: for clean edges on all sides, wipe knife with paper towel in between each cut.
- Place brownies on serving tray, enjoy!
Notes
*may sub with butter or ghee
**dry sweetener of choice may be subbed
Store leftover frosted brownies in fridge, about 3-5 days (if they last that long…)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/20th
- Calories: 157
- Sugar: 9
- Sodium: 81
- Fat: 11
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Unsaturated Fat: 1
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 3
- Cholesterol: 37mg
Keywords: Brownies with Matcha Mint Frosting, Paleo Brownies, Flourless brownies
NOTE: This post contains affiliate links. Purchasing products listed through the links comes at no extra charge to you, but I will receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting Fit Mitten Kitchen!
rachel @ athletic avocado says
Baking is totally the best way to destress! Especially when it’s chocolatey and fudgey things like these beauties!!
Erin @ Erin's Inside Job says
OMG I just read this out loud to Neil. Since we moved to Chicago he will get canker sores that last for over a week and are painful and awful and I always feel so bad. He got one about a week ago and it’s totally stress-related. WEIRD.
Also, flourless brownies are my jam.
Ashley says
Yes canker sores SUCK. My sophomore year of college in the fall I had my wisdom teeth taken out. A couple weeks later I ended up having scarlet fever. That was just a few weeks before I had hip surgery, then in January it was like BOOM and I had so many canker sores I lost count and had to get a prednisone pack. That shi was intense. Oh, and my jaw locked up somehow? Talk about a hot mess!
BUT real question, does he avoid using toothpastes with sodium laurel sulfate? Because switching to Sensodyne helped me tremendously!
Emily says
Ok, so I was totally nodding my head; baking is such a gift for de-stressing, and when I’m really really worn out, I will just lie on the floor and just think, pray, or just be there, which is wonderful.
Ashley says
The that flat, stillness of lying on the floor just does the body good! (I clearly need more yoga in my life)
Chrissa - Physical Kitchness says
Grasshoppers and thin mints are my fav fav fav fav FAV! I love these brownies ALMOST as much as I love you. The mint extract with chocolate? SWOON!!!! Great idea to add some collagen to this deliciousness!
Cora says
Your ways to de-stress are mine exactly. And you know what, I think baking is what actually works the best. It seriously is so therapeutic for me. My freezer gets overstocked… but hey… that’s a small price to pay for the calmness I feel afterwards.
And THESE. These are a must make. I can’t believe there’s zero flour or grain or any sort. And adding matcha to a coconut cream frosting is brilliant. Now… do you think you have to use to peptides? Or is there a substitute if you don’t have any? Thanks for this!!
Ashley says
Stress baking is definitely the best 🙂
But no, you certainly do not need to add the collagen peptides if you don’t have them! Just a little health boost supplement. The consistency will pretty much remain the same without 🙂
Diana @ Live Lean Eat Green says
Love Vital Proteins and am just obsessed with this green color with the dark brownies…OBSESSED!
Vanessa says
Hi,
Can the peppermint extract be left out of the matcha frosting (don’t have any)? I also only have semi sweet chocolate chips, will this work?
Thank you!
Vanessa
Ashley says
Yes that still works! I would add vanilla extract if you have that or even if you don’t, it still tastes great without 🙂 and semi-sweet chips work too! Let me know how it goes 🙂
Vanessa says
The brownies were delicious and a huge hit with my family! The only thing I found was the icing was very soft. I put them in the fridge after icing and the icing got a bit harder but I definitely couldn’t stack the brownies on a plate. Thanks for a delicious recipe! =)
★★★★★
Gauri says
Do you think could substitute yogurt for the coconut oil?!
Ashley says
I haven’t tried that myself so I can’t say for certain it would turn out the same. It would be much cakier in texture vs fudgy.