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Today is the Get Your Chef On (#GYCO) reveal day.....and the secret ingredient is.....Potatoes! When I first saw the sign-up post, I had absolutely no clue what to make!! I had just made my Irish Nachos, so regular potatoes were out of the question. Then two days later it hit me.....Paleo Sweet Potato Brownies!! I have been wanting to make these brownies for quite some time, and this was the perfect opportunity to give them a try!
Let me start by pointing out, that I have never tried any type of Paleo baked good before! I do not know what they are "supposed" to taste like, so this is kind of a guessing game for me. They are very soft, and have a very smooth mouth feel. There is no gluten to hold everything to together, so the texture is not like a regular brownie, but they are actually really good.
I decided to start with my Fudgy Avocado Brownies recipe, and make the changes needed to make them Paleo. I thought I would try coconut flour in place of the whole-wheat pastry flour, and added the sweet potato to add some extra sweetness, and give them their name. 😉 I used half as much flour, based on the suggestions on the package. Coconut flour absorbs moisture, and I didn't want them to be dry.
The avocado remains the only oil in the recipe, and I eliminated the espresso powder. These brownies also qualify as Clean Eating and Vegan!
How to make Paleo Sweet Potato Brownies:
I started by beating the avocado and sweet potato together until creamy.....
Then I added the vanilla and cocoa powder.....
So far so good, so I added the flour, tapioca flour, salt, baking soda, and flax meal.....
Next I added the chopped walnut and chocolate chips*.....
This is when I decided that the batter was too thick, so I added the coconut milk. I have adjusted the recipe to add the milk with the other liquid ingredients. 🙂 Pour batter into a prepared 8-inch baking dish.....
Smooth the top and bake in a 325 degree oven for 30 to 35 minutes. I actually tested it with a toothpick, and it came out clean, so I called them done! Remove from the oven and cool completely on a wire rack.....
I do not normally frost my brownies, so I decided not to frost these either.
These brownies are gooey and a bit sticky, but hold together well enough to eat with your fingers. They are not overly sweet by any means, and do not taste like avocado. 😉 I may play around the with recipe a bit more to see if different flours change the texture, but they are delicious just the way they are!!
*Note about chocolate chips - I have seen Enjoy Life Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips used in several Paleo recipes, so I figured that they are safe to use. They do contain evaporated can juice, so make the decision for yourself to use them or not. 🙂
More delicious paleo recipes:
Enjoy!!
Paleo Sweet Potato Brownies
Ingredients
- 1 medium avocado
- 1 cup sweet potato cooked and cooled
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/2 cup coconut box or almond milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup coconut flour I used Bob's Red Mill
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder I used Ghirardelli
- 2 Tablespoons tapioca or arrowroot flour
- 2 Tablespoons ground flax seeds
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/2 cup enjoy life chocolate chips optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease an 8-inch baking pan with coconut or olive oil, set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat together the avocado and sweet potato until smooth (I used a hand mixer).
- Add the maple syrup, milk, vanilla, beating until smooth and well combined.
- Stir in the flour, cocoa, tapioca/arrowroot flour, flax meal, baking soda, and salt until well incorporated.
- Stir in the walnuts and chocolate chips (if using).
- Pour batter into prepared pan, smooth the top, and bake for 30 to 35 minutes.
- Remove from oven and place on a wire cooling rack. Allow to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- I have seen some Paleo sites use these chocolate chips, so I decided to add them. They are gluten-free, dairy-free, and soy-free, but do contain evaporated can juice.
Chrystal @ YUM eating says
I have been wondering about these sweet potato brownie recipes. Of course paleo people are going to rave about them. I am going to have to try these one night without telling the husband or the kiddo what is in them because he's determined to never eat a sweet potato. But, he doesn't like squash either, so not much I can do there. Pinning!
Lisa Johnson says
He will never know that there is sweet potato in them Chrystal, he wont' be able to pick out the flavor. The texture is definitely different than regular brownies. Good luck. 🙂
Zainab says
Oooo these look decadent. My best friend started a paleo diet and has been exposing me to foods that fit the diet. I'm sending this to her because she will love it!!
Lisa Johnson says
Thank you so much Zainab. 🙂 I'm slowly heading in that direction!
theresa krier says
wow, i can't wait to make these brownies. i have used avocado in baking & i eat a sweet potato every day, so the two combined is a winner for me, thanks for sharing
Lisa Johnson says
Thank you Theresa, enjoy! 🙂
Jen says
I don't follow a paleo diet, but I am intrigued by the concept and when I see your paleo recipes I think maybe I could do it. These actually sound really good, avocado and all!
Lisa Johnson says
Thank you Jen. 🙂 I figured that I should get some healthy recipes in here before all of the sweets for Easter start up!
Marcie@flavorthemoments says
Impressive! I would have never thought of this combination -- I love how you incorporated sweet potatoes into brownies...and paleo to boot!
Lisa Johnson says
Thank you Marcie. I am still trying to create some healthier foods, to counter act the effects of the Bailey's cupcakes! 😉
Maria @ Box of Stolen Socks says
Hi Lisa! I am visiting your blog from the Marvellous Mondays linky! When I read the description of the post I thought what?.. sweet potato and avocado together to make a brownie? I have to try this definitely! Now that I read the recipe I am 100% convinced that I will try it soon!
Lisa Johnson says
Thank you so much Maria, I hope you like them. 🙂
Linda Warren says
My son's family eats Paleo and I am always wondering what to cook for them. This sounds yummy! I will definitely give it a try. My daughter, the other Cookin' Mama, is gluten-free, so I think I can kill two birds with one brownie here. lol
Thanks for posting to Wake Up Wednesdays.
Lisa Johnson says
Thank you so much Linda, I'm so glad that I could help. 🙂 I hope they like them!
Foodista says
Saw this recipe on the Tuesday link share and had to check it out! Love all the healthier ingredients! Thanks for sharing!!!
Lisa Johnson says
Thanks so much for stopping by. 🙂
Jen Marrs says
get the heck outta here- you made brownies? I LOVE you!! You speak my language girl! YUM!
Lisa Johnson says
Lol, thank you so much Jen! 🙂
Natasha In Oz says
Thank you so much for sharing this post at the Say G'Day Saturday linky party! They look amazing!
Hope you can join in again tomorrow.
Best wishes,
Natasha in Oz
Lisa Johnson says
Thank you Natasha. 🙂
Rebecca | LettersFromSunnybrook says
I've got to try these! I am allergic to eggs, soy, corn and potatoes, so many baked sweets are hard to make right due to all the substitutions necessary. (Sweet potatoes are not the same as regular potatoes.) What a great way to use this amazing vegetable!
Lisa Johnson says
Thank you so much Rebecca! I had no idea that potatoes and sweet potatoes were that different. I hope you like them. 🙂
Wendy @ mamasblogcentral.com says
Ooooooo If I can have yummy brownies on this plan I just might be willing to give it a try 🙂
Lisa Johnson says
Thank you Wendy, you sure can. 🙂
Lisa Johnson says
Thank you so much!! 🙂