FEEL GOOD BROWNIES

Our delightful intern, Michelle, brings you some delights:

Do you love warm, gooey, and decadent chocolate brownies?  I do!  But sometimes all that sugary goodness can make you feel pretty bad about your life choices.  Why not decrease some of that guilt by choosing fair trade and organic ingredients!  Buying fair trade food items is surprisingly simple.  Many common baking ingredients like sugar, chocolate, and coffee are available fair trade from stores like Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s.  Just look for the fair trade seal, and you know you’ll be good to go!

Guilt-Free Chocolate Brownies (with Coffee Icing)

For Brownies

50 grams fair trade dark chocolate (my favorites are Green & Black’s, Divine, and Equal Exchange)
1/2 cup butter
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup flour
1 cup fair trade sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
pinch of salt

For Icing

6 tbsp butter
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup cream cheese
1 tbsp strong dark fair trade coffee

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius).
Melt chocolate and butter in a bowl over a pan of simmering water.
Pour the melted mixture into another bowl, and beat in the eggs.
Add the flour, baking soda, and salt.  Mix until well blended, then pour into a greased brownie tin.
Cook for 30-40 minutes.
Remove from oven and allow to cool completely in the tin.

To make the frosting, beat the butter, powdered sugar, coffee, and cream cheese together until fluffy. Spread the frosting over the cooled brownie, and enjoy!

Remember–try fair trade and organic products to make your sweet treats even sweeter. And don’t forget to lick the spoon!