Fudgey paleo applesauce brownies made with collagen! Easy decadent and healthy treat. Cakey and moist! Gluten free, dairy free, and naturally sweetened. Make ahead and freeze!
Ever had a craving for delicious fudgey brownies… and then you realized you were on the paleo diet? Hahahah, haven’t we all. But thanks to the invention of chocolate + coconut flour + applesauce + maple syrup you can still indulge a little.
These brownies are incredibly easy to make and are packed out with wholesome ingredients! When the cravings come you need a solid brownie there for ya. Snack time just got a bit more decadent.
Fudgey brownies with a hidden ingredient
So, are you ready for the secret ingredient in these brownies? One word: collagen (or gelatin). And it’s pretty rad! I have been baking with gelatin and collagen for a while now and I absolutely love it! Finding sneaky ways to get my daily collagen in has looked more like eating pizzas, smoothies, and brownies. I’m liken’ that!
Vital proteins collagen and gelatin is amazing! I include Vital Proteins collagen and gelatin supplements in at least one recipe daily, because it lines the gut, supports re-growth of joint tissue and can help relieve joint pain (which I can deff use!). Plus, it’s also used for building health in hair and skin. And no, you can’t taste it in the brownies! They don’t taste like beef. 😂
I love the added gelatin/collagen in this recipe because it adds a protein element that somehow justifies making brownies more often. And who can argue with that? Feel free to add more or less collagen/gelatin depending on your personal preference.
So, the difference between collagen and gelatin and does it matter which one you use in this recipe?
Well, collagen and gelatin have the same nutritional values and proteins. But the difference is that collagen has been heated at higher temperatures and treated with enzymes to break down the amino acids; making it easier to digest. The other difference between the two is that collagen will not gel up like gelatin. You can use either of these in this recipe and still get the same awesome health benefits! Go crazy and have fun with it!
I can’t believe I cranked out four blog posts for you guys tonight! Life of a food blogger means weird work hours; cooking 8am- 5pm on and off. Editing, answering emails, and writing blog posts 8pm- 11pm. I kinda like it. Because on my weeks off I don’t have to think about work; instead, I just eat all the fudgey applesauce brownies!!
P.S. You can also make these ahead of time and store them in the freezer for future snacking times… If they last that long.
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Fudgey Paleo Applesauce Brownies
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup chocolate chips or paleo chocolate bar chopped.
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil
- 3 tablespoons palm oil shortening
- 1/4 cup coconut flour
- 3 tablespoons arrowroot flour
- 2-3 teaspoons collagen or gelatin
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- dash of sea salt
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup applesauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line a 8" by 8" baking dish with parchment paper.
- In a double boiler, melt the chocolate chips, coconut oil, palm shortening, and cocoa powder over low heat until everything is melted and well combined. Stir on occasion to prevent clumping.
- In a medium/large bowl combine the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients then stir in the chocolate mixture. You can use an electric mixer to combine everything until smooth.
- Pour the batter into a 8" by 8" baking dish and bake on 350F for about 35 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.