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Ingredients:

• 2 Avocados
• 4 Large eggs
• 1c. Sugar
• 8oz. Dark chocolate chips
• ½ c. Dark cocoa powder
• ¼ tsp. Salt
• 1 tsp. Vanilla extract
• ½ c. Whole wheat flour
• Optional: ½ c. Chopped nuts such as Walnuts or Almonds

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
2. Line an 8x8-inch cake pan with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.
3. Beat eggs and sugar with electric mixer at medium speed until bubbly and fluffy.
4. Place chocolate chips in microwave-safe bowl and microwave on HIGH in 15 second increments, stirring in between, until melted.
5. With mixer running, add chocolate to egg mixture. Fold in cocoa, salt, vanilla and flour.
6. Mash avocados in separate bowl until very smooth. Add to batter and mix well.
7. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 30 minutes, or until toothpick is inserted in center and comes out clean.
8. Let cool completely before slicing.

Makes 16 servings.

Nutrition per Brownie: Calories: 190, Total Fat 9g (Sat. Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 0g), Cholesterol: 55mg, Sodium 90mg, Total Carbohydrate: 28g, Dietary Fiber: 3g, Sugar 20g, Protein: 4g

Benefits of this recipe:

• The fat in this recipe is from avocados, a monounsaturated heart healthy fat that lowers LDL (bad or "L" for lousy) cholesterol and helps to maintain HDL (good or "H" for healthy) cholesterol when eaten in moderation.
• Contains whole wheat flour instead of white flour. Whole wheat flour is higher in fiber and B vitamins
• Contains dark chocolate (70% cocoa and higher) and dark cocoa powder

Benefits of dark chocolate and cocoa:

• Contains a compound known as flavanols, which will widen arteries by boosting nitric oxide production. Nitric oxide helps arteries relax, widen, and become more flexible.
• Loaded with antioxidants that destroy free radicals (chemicals that accelerate aging)
• Dark chocolate intake is linked with a higher HDL and lower LDL level
• Can improve your mood, increases serotonin levels

This article first appeared in the February 2019 edition of the HealthPerks newsletter.