Who doesn't love chocolate or better yet brownies? Living a healthy lifestyle through diet and fitness is a must, but we all need a little sweet treat from time to time. As you may have caught on from reading my blog, I love to bake from scratch. I am also a chocoholic! Ghirardelli Chocolate is by far one of my favorites, so when I found their Sweet Ground Chocolate and Cocoa I was in heaven. Perfect for baking brownies or just a cup of hot chocolate. As usual, I have put a healthy spin to the recipe. Enjoy!

Ingredients:
2 eggs (1/2 Cup Egg Whites)
3/4 Cup of Sugar
1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
1/2 cup Butter, melted
3/4 cup Ghirardelli Sweet Ground Chocolate and Cocoa Powder
2/3 cup All-Purpose Flour (Soy Flour for Gluten Free)
1/4 tsp. Baking Powder
1/4 tsp. Salt
1 Cup Walnut (Optional)
½ Cup Chocolate Chips (Optional)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Using a spoon, stir the eggs with the sugar; add the vanilla and stir in the butter. Sift chocolate powder with the flour, baking powder and salt. Stir flour mixture into the egg mixture. Add the nuts (if using) and chocolate chips. Spread in a greased 8 inch square pan. Bake 20-25 minutes. Let cool completely. Enjoy!

Baking Tips:
Line your pan with well-greased or Reynolds “Release” foil or parchment paper. This will allow you to lift your brownies right out of the pan. Less of a mess, easy and ready to serve!

Use a mini muffin pan to make small brownie bits. Perfect for the kids, parties, to take to the office and more.

Being the health nut that I am, yet loving to bake, I am always exploring healthier alternatives to stapled favorites like banana bread. Enjoy the "healthy sin spin" I put to an original banana bread recipe my grandmother passed on to me! Perfect for the whole family or any occasion, this gluten-free chocolate chip banana bread is destined to be a hit!

Ingredients:
2 ½ Cups of Soy Flour
½ Cup Granulated Sugar
½ Cup Packed Brown Sugar
3 ½ Teaspoons Backing Powder
1 Teaspoon Sea Salt
3 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil
1/3 Cups Almond Milk
1 Egg or 3 Tablespoons Egg Whites
1 ¼ Cups Mashed Ripped Bananas (2-3 Medium Sized)
1 Cup Walnut (Optional)
½ Cup Chocolate Chips (Optional)

Directions:
Heat oven to 350 Degrees. Grease loaf pan. Mix all ingredients; beat for 30 seconds. Pour into pan. Bake for 55-60 minutes or until wooden pick inserted to center comes out clean. Cool completely before serving. Enjoy!