The Best Vegan Zucchini Brownies

I love to eat brownies, and I am constantly craving their rich, chocolatey, fudgy texture. However, I hesitate to make them from scratch since most call for obscene amounts of butter and sugar. I believe my bakes should taste good, while still using wholesome and healthy ingredients. My standard brownie recipe was not rich enough for my taste (even though everyone else adores them). The alternative recipes I've tried (Greek yogurt and tofu-based) just have the wrong texture. Zucchini is a game changer. It adds moisture and fudginess that normally come from eggs and butter, so you end up with a beautifully textured, moist, soft, fudgy brownie that happens to be vegan as well. I also use oat flour (it's just rolled oats tossed into a blender) and walnuts to add some more texture and flavor. This is officially my go-to brownie recipe, and I could not be happier.

Adapted from I am Baker.

Ingredients

Makes one 8x8 brownie, 16 servings

• 1/4 c olive oil

• 1/4 c agave (sub maple syrup)

• 1/4 c white sugar

• 1 t vanila extract

• 2/3 c all-purpose flour

• 1/3 c oat flour (can use 1/2 c all-purpose and 1/2 c oat instead)

• 1/4 c cocoa powder, sifted

• 3/4 t baking soda

• 1/2 t salt

• 1 c finely shredded zucchini (1 whole small zucchini)

• 1/2 c chocolate chips

• 1/2 c walnuts, roasted and roughly chopped

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350˚F (375˚F on my oven). Line an 8x8 pan with parchment paper.

2. Mix together olive oil, agave, white sugar, and vanilla extract in a large bowl.

3. Mix in all-purpose flour, oat flour, sifted cocoa powder (yes, the sifting is important), baking soda, and salt. Mix together. The batter will be dry and pasty.

4. Fold in shredded zucchini. Let the batter sit for a couple minutes until it becomes moist.

5. Fold in chocolate chips and chopped walnuts.

6. Pour batter into pan. Spread batter evenly in pan and make sure the top is even. Tap pan on the counter a couple times.

7. Bake for 25 minutes. The brownie should feel soft, but not raw. The brownie will continue to cook as it cools. Serve after cooled.