Desserts…. everyone’s favourite part of the meal. A delicious sweet treat that we just can’t get enough of! ;)
But why does it have to be so guilt-filled?
I myself remember the days I used to say “Oh I wish I didn’t eat that!” and I remember the sick feeling of bloating and sugary overkill that I was left with me very soon after I devoured into something way too sweet and in the end just-not-that-good!
Perhaps that evil dessert took care of my sweet-tooth craving but left me traumatized with the aftermath. But I had my “fix” and I was happy! For a sugar-addict once-upon-a-time, I knew no difference and just really needed my sugary high!!
Since those early 20’s I’ve learned my lesson. And I’ve paid for my cravings with my health struggles enough to really understand the difference between desserts : “To die for!” and desserts : “To LIVE for!”
Now, I still devour in amazing desserts… the difference is that I choose the better options! Pure ingredients that are fully natural and organic are key in enjoying the sweet side of life (and not feeling sick after!)
Omitting the ‘bad’ stuff like artificial flavours, toxic colours (think Easter cupcakes and cookies now!), added preservatives, added artificial sweeteners, emulsifiers and let’s not forget GMO ingredients – have no place in the delicious desserts I make for myself and my family.
Let’s also remove the heaviness of dairy and eggs, and the bloating effects of gluten, and refined sugar – and what do you get?
You still get a stunning dessert that’s pure and decadent…. like these Chocolate Brownies – that are completely Guilt-Free and actually good for you! ;)
Can this be possible? Trust me!!! These Chocolate Brownies are amazing – a real treat to Live for!!! Rich, chocolatey, moist, decadent with one crazy amazing secret ingredient ~ Sweet Potatoes! (Trust me!)
GUILT-FREE SWEET POTATO CHOCOLATE BROWNIES
GLUTEN-FREE, GRAIN-FREE, VEGAN
Ingredients :
2 1/2 cups sweet potato puree (1-2 large potatoes)
2 cups medjool dates, pitted
1/2 cup agave nectar or honey
1/4 cup non-dairy milk
1/3 cup cocoa
3/4 cups buckwheat flour
1/4 cup potato starch
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla or natural rum extract
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
3/4 cups chopped dark chocolate squares (72% or higher) or dark vegan chocolate chips (optional)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (omit for a nut-free version)
Directions :
First, wash, peel, chop and boil a large sweet potato (or two or four – might as well make dinner ;)) until fully cooked. Strain and set aside to cool.
Preheat oven to 350F and line a square 8 x 8″ baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.
In the meantime, in a food processor, process the dates and add in the sweetener of choice, milk, cocoa, buckwheat flour, potato starch, vanilla or rum extract, salt and process for form a smooth paste. Add in the sweet potato puree (cold from the fridge or freshly baked warm are fine, the temperature doesn’t matter). You may need to turn off the food processor and scrape down the sides of the mixer to get all the ingredients combined well. Turn off machine and transfer the batter onto a large bowl so it’s easier to work from. Stir in chopped chocolate and walnuts by hand.
Pour mixture into the pan and bake at 350F for 50-60 minutes.
Once it’s baked, remove from oven and allow to cool for at least 20 minutes before serving, if warm brownies are preferred.
These brownies are best when chilled so it’s great to make them one day ahead and served them from the refrigerator.
They also cut better and are less crumbly if they have a chance to set for a longer time.
Top with a little sprinkle of organic powdered sugar…. and Enjoy ~ guilt-free!!! ;)
These Guilt-free Chocolate Sweet Potato Brownies are exceptionally amazing! I made these at our recent family get together and everyone went nuts for them!
What was fun is that they could not guess the main ingredient of these which is the sweet potato puree – and when I told them….. wow! No one believed me ;)
When you try this recipe – no one will believe you there’s Sweet Potatoes in these Chocolate Brownies! But trust me ;)
I love playing with unexpected ingredients and making delicious recipes that are actually good for you!!!
And you know that saying….. “Life is short, eat dessert first!” Well, life will be even shorter if you eat crappy food!
So might as well, give your body something that you know is good for you and is also delicious!!
As for eating dessert first, heck, these are so ‘healthy’ that yes, I think they can be devoured for breakfast ;) I know I had one… or two, oh who’s counting ;)
I hope you enjoy this recipe very soon!
I can’t wait to make these Guilt-free Chocolate Sweet Potato Brownies again very soon – I’m thinking it will definitely be one of my desserts at our Easter dinner table ;) I might need to make a double batch – these things will go quick, I know it ;)
Enjoy!!!
♥
Pure Ella
If you’re new to Pure Ella, please sign up for email updates and join me elsewhere: Facebook // Pinterest // Twitter // Instagram @pure_ella
Blogger, Recipe Developer, Photographer and Author. Loves healthy food, photography, sunshine and dancing in the kitchen with her two daughters. 
Such pretty photos. And those brownies really do look to die/’live’ for. Heaven. I make healthy brownies with aduki beans, but I’ve never tried them with sweet potato – sounds wonderfully indulgent.
Thank you so much Skye ;)
I still need to make adzuki bean brownies… or black bean brownies – somehow I think sweet potatoes are less ‘weird’ of those bean options ;) But of course I have to try ;)
xox ella
These sound and look amazing! Such a perfect, healthy treat! x
Thanks Tania ;)
Perfectly healthy – but really you won’t know it when you bite into them! Promise ;)
My family was stoked when I told them the ingredients ;)
xoxo ella
They look great but how are they refined sugar free if they contain ready-made chocolate? Could you offer a variation with cocoa powder instead?
Hi fivos!
There is cocoa powder used there, the chocolate chunks or chips are extra additives.
I used 72% dark organic chocolate – you could use a quality naturally sweetened chocolate also and have no-refined-sugar in this recipe too.
I guess it does depend on the chocolate chips used.
Honestly, you could also omit that extra chocolate and it will be a beautiful healthy brownie treat ;)
I hope you will enjoy this recipe soon ;)
Cheers! ella
I just saw these on Pinterest and almost jumped into the computer! I love putting unexpected healthy ingredients in my baked goods! Being sneaky is so much fun -and also delicious :)
Thank you Allison ;)
Ha ha – sneaky baking is fun isn’t it ;)
Or maybe it’s just the evolution of baking…. knowing we can reinvent great delicious recipes that don’t make us feel sick! *finally* ;)
xo ella
These brownies are stunning! And are such a fun flavour!
Wow, this is such a brilliant recipe! It’s the third sweet potato brownie recipe I’ve tried & by far the best – you’ve really nailed it. Totally yum! thankyou.
I loooooove sweet potato brownies :)
These brownies look fabulous. Can’t wait to try them. I may have missed the addition of the sweet potatoes in the recipe directions, so I’m going to assume that the puree is added to the food processor with the flour and such. Thanks for this recipe.
Your blog is an inspiration! I’ve just recently become a vegetarian – I LOVE this recipe – who knew?!
Mary
Hello! This recipe looks amazing and I plan on making them this weekend for Easter. Just a question, do you have a preference over the white vs orange sweet potato? Thank you!
Hi Sarah ;)
Thanks for visiting Pure Ella!! ;)
Yes, please go with the orange sweet potatoes for this recipe.
Big difference ;) I hope you enjoy these brownies soon!!! xoxo ella
these look amazing!!! I am currently a graphic design student at University of Wisconsin Stout. Our current project is to make a magazine, I am doing a health food magazine focused on sweet potatoes. I would love to be able to include this recipe along with some of the photography please let me know if this would be okay with, and if so how you would like it cited. It will not be distributed simply printed for class.
Thank you so much
Emily Gawronski
yum ive had this at a cafe it’s ncie to get the recipe thanks!
Whoa they look delicious! Your photography is beautiful as well! I’m going to have to come back for sure! :)
Thank you Emily ;)
Of course you have to come back for more ~ good things are addictive ;)
xo
I tried and I succeeded!
Delicious recipe ..
I love your blog, it is one of the best ..
Hello, Ella! Your desserts with sweet potatoes look just amazing! And I’m planning to make one for a dinner. One question: can I somehow substitute buckwheat flour?
Thank you!
Take care!
Hi Alexandra,
Yes you certainly can substitute buckwheat flour. Pretty much any flour will work – all purpose, gf all purpose, spelt, oat, light rye.
Avoid using garbanzo bean and coconut flour though in this recipe. Do let us know how they come out with a different flour so that other readers might want to substitute as well.
Thanks and I hope you enjoy them very much :) xoxo
Hi Ella! Recipe looks amazing… my daughter is allergic to pototos, rice, wheat….and a lot more she follows an AIP PALEO STYLE LIFESTYLE and would love these save and except for the potato starch What can I sub in ?
Cheers
Melissa
Hi Melissa,
Any other starch would work fine – tapioca, non-gmo corn starch, etc. :)
Hope you and your daughter enjoy these :)
Hugs,
ella
My God. This recipe is very delicious!