Happy New Year! It’s actually the 13th, so can I still say Happy New Year? Is there like a grace period or cut off date? I’m really not sure how this is supposed to work…anyway Happy 2014! To kick off the New Year I had to make something extra delicious for you (me) and we all know how I feel about anything “Reese’s” related. It’s like Oreo stuff. If I found out I had a week to live I would eat nothing but Reese’s and Oreos. It’s true, don’t judge.
So how has your New Year been so far? Mine has kind of sucked. So far I’ve gotten the flu and then when I went to the doctor I had to get 3 vaccines and blood work done (which came out fabulous by the way thanks to Paleo!). My arm still hurts from the vaccines 5 days later. See if they ever give me another one. I’ll just take my chances with life thank you very much. I also had an allergy panel done to see if my allergies are environmental vs. food related. Still waiting on those results. I’ve decided once and for all I hate going to the doctor. First of all they weigh you on this scale that I swear they add 15 pounds to, then the doctor asks you all these embarrassing questions that have absolutely nothing to do with why you came in like, “Are you sexually active?” and then I’m forced to give smart ass answers like, “On my good days.” But then I’m like wait, isn’t that kind of personal? I really don’t think that’s any of your business doctor person. Hmph. I’m just going to continue self diagnosing on webMD. It’s like way better. Except when my symptoms match some crazy disease and I walk around thinking I have typhus for like a week. Whatever. I also went to the optometrist. I spent $500 on new glasses, an eye exam and a contact lens fitting. $500. $500 freaking dollars. With insurance. What. The. F***?! Sorry for the language, I’m still in shock. So pretty much my New Year has started out with me being sick and broke. 2014 = 2, Vanessa = 0.
Speaking of allergies, I get emails all the time about how you guys are all allergic to nuts. What the heck?! That sucks and I’m so sorry, it must be really hard to adhere to a Paleo type diet and not be able to eat nuts. I feel for you. Do you want to hug it out? To make you feel better I made a nut-free option on this recipe. Yay for you! Suck it nuts! Wait what? That sounded really bad.
Do you guys watch that show Orange is the New Black? It’s SO good. I binge watched it on Netflix all last week. It’s really good. Also the new season of GIRLS premiered last night. I love that show too because it’s like what Sex and the City should have been like. So you’re trying to tell me that Carrie lives in some awesome apartment, by herself, in Manhattan, with an endless collection of Manolo’s, Cosmo’s and designer outfits all from writing a freelance sex column? I don’t think so. Do you know how expensive it is to live in Manhattan and how expensive Manolo’s are? GIRLS is the real ish. They’re broke, cynical, and completely glamourless. Okay there is my TV commentary for the day, I’ll quit boring you. You know what’s not boring? These Paleo “Reese’s” Swirl Brownies with nut-free option. YUM.
Paleo “Reese’s” Swirl Brownies
*Makes 9 servings
Ingredients:
3 ounce dark chocolate bar 60% cacao or higher (I used Alter Eco 
1/2 cup coconut oil, liquid
3/4 cup creamy Barney Butter
1/4 cup pure maple syrup, grade b
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
3 organic cage free eggs
1/4 cup coconut sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup of dark chocolate chips
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. In a large sized metal bowl melt the dark chocolate bar using the double boiler method by placing the bowl over a pot of boiling water.
3. Once the chocolate is melted remove from heat and slowly stir in the liquid coconut oil.
4. Then stir in 1/4 cup almond butter (or sunflower seed butter for nut-free option), maple syrup, vanilla extract and eggs.
5. Now whisk in the dry ingredients, the coconut palm sugar and unsweetened cocoa powder.
6. Fold in the chocolate chips.
7. Grease an 8×8″ square glass pan liberally with coconut oil or butter and pour in the brownie batter. Then pour the remaining 1/2 cup almond butter (or sunflower seed butter for nut-free option) evenly over the top of the batter and gently slide a butter knife around to create swirls through the batter.
8. Cook for 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool and enjoy!
Notes:
So I actually prefer this recipe using almond butter in the batter and sunflower seed butter as the swirl. It’s the best of both worlds. So if you can eat nuts, this is how I recommend making it. If you can’t eat nuts, then sunflower seed butter the heck out of it and rock on with your bad “Reese’s” Swirl Brownie self.
So let’s hope 2014 starts to get a little better eh? Did you guys make any resolutions? Mine are always the same every year so I stopped awhile back, but I think this is the year to dust off the resolutions and re-vamp them! I want a lot of them to be about making the blog bigger and better for you guys. Print button anyone? Look how self-less I am, it’s all about you guys. I also want to try one thing everyday that scares me, travel more, be better at correspondence, do more 30 day challenges, get a new camera, get a new car, and start working on a cookbook. So many things to do this year, where do I even start?! I think we should all just start with these “Reese’s” Swirl Brownies and go from there.
37 Comments on “Reese’s” Swirl Brownies
2Pingbacks & Trackbacks on “Reese’s” Swirl Brownies
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[…] how cute is my little brother, he came over last week to bake my Paleo “Reese’s” Swirl Brownies for a school project. The project was to make a recipe and explain to the class, in 3 minutes or […]
Jamee
January 13, 2014 at 10:16 am (10 years ago)I’m so excited, and I just can’t hide it! I have all these ingredients at home and I think I am going to make them tonight, tonight! ( I am not going to lose control! I will keep it together.)
Vanessa Barajas
January 13, 2014 at 10:21 am (10 years ago)I know how hard it is to keep it together when chocolate is on the line! Good luck and I hope you enjoy! 🙂
@jerrylautner__
January 13, 2014 at 10:28 am (10 years ago)Reblogged this on RIGHT.
My Life of Spice
January 13, 2014 at 12:45 pm (10 years ago)These look absolutely amazing!!!
WWJME
January 13, 2014 at 12:46 pm (10 years ago)oh my god!!!
SlenderGrapefruit
January 13, 2014 at 1:40 pm (10 years ago)I love anything Reese’s related too!! It sounds so good!
This Sydney Life
January 13, 2014 at 2:29 pm (10 years ago)You’re back, V. Yay! I missed you. Seriously.
It’s AIP all the way down here – well, it will be after MY next round of antibiotics. (And, yes – I know antibiotics are BAD. You are not alone with your doctor’s visits at the start of 2014!) – so, I shall be vicariously living through your Paleo sweet-treats for a wee while… These are a great start.
Happy New Year, my blog buddy
Vanessa Barajas
January 13, 2014 at 3:38 pm (10 years ago)Happy New Year TSL! I’ve missed you too! I could not bake nor blog with the flu last weekend, it had me on my a$$. I have a good friend living in AIP land with you, she’s on something like 90 days of no chocolate, butter, or nightshades. She just reintroduced eggs last week. I feel for you! That’s some hard living. I hope you start to feel better soon though, I’ll try to not make my sweet treats look too good, at least until you’re back to normal! 😉
This Sydney Life
January 13, 2014 at 5:01 pm (10 years ago)90 DAYS!!! What a legend! I suspect it’s nightshades for me (which is a massive pain, given my love of tomatoes). Eggs will be hard, but I think (hope?) that will end up being just in the elimination phase…
Amy Crawford
January 13, 2014 at 3:26 pm (10 years ago)Woah!
Kathleen
January 13, 2014 at 7:39 pm (10 years ago)We thought we had allergies too and then we got an air purifier for our room at night. No more allergy symptoms! Miracle!
Vanessa Barajas
January 14, 2014 at 11:28 am (10 years ago)Ooooh! I should try that! Literally willing to try ANYTHING! The doctor told me to just keep taking Claritin and gave me a prescription for a nose spray. Fail. So I basically paid $50 in co-pays and prescriptions for that sound advice. Still waiting to hear back about my allergy panel. Thanks for the suggestion!
QueenJellyBean
January 14, 2014 at 6:31 pm (10 years ago)Oh Vanessa, thanks for this brownie recipe. Yes allergies. Yes 2014 slapped me down with the flu. I just don’t get the flu, then poof! Sick. Sitting in the backyard getting San Diego sun 2 weekends in a row. Still waiting to feel 100%. I’ve googled every “home remedy for sinus infection” page out there. Netti pot has been better for me than Claritan. You’re on Paleo and grain free, you shouldn’t have allergic responses to stuff. I like the room air purifier idea. Costco sells them and you can always return it if it doesn’t heal you. Honestly I spent all this time while down with the flu actually reading EVeRYTHING about Paleo, Perfect Health Diet, SCD, SIBO, Chriss Kresser (who is speaking about his Paelo book in La Jolla this month) etc. I want to heal my gut and never get sick like this again. Not that I’ve eaten a stitch of gluten in the past 6 years, or any grain in the past month, but I think I can tweak the diet and digest even better. Perhaps I’ll start with these brownies :-]
Vanessa Barajas
January 16, 2014 at 9:37 am (10 years ago)Happy New Year! Oh no you got the flu too?! Sorry to hear 🙁 Well good for you for being proactive at least and doing your homework! 🙂 Wow gluten-free for 6 years, amazing! This is definitely the year to heal our guts, I’m all in with you. I will have an update on my allergy situation next blog post, riveting stuff! 🙂
The Fit Foodie
January 16, 2014 at 3:15 pm (10 years ago)Drool!!!
Vanessa Barajas
January 16, 2014 at 3:23 pm (10 years ago)Thanks Fit Foodie! It’s extra chocolatey and really easy to make, pretty much the best combination!
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
January 18, 2014 at 5:07 pm (10 years ago)I think I like you witty banter more than I like the actual brownies. Not that I would necessarily turn those down though. Keep ’em both coming. Oh and Happy 2014. You can still say that anytime in January. After that, all bets are off.
Orianna Rosa
January 20, 2014 at 5:24 am (10 years ago)I’ve nominated you for an award!
http://oriannarosaroyle.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/liebster-award-tag.html
John Fitzwater
February 7, 2014 at 5:36 am (10 years ago)Looks delish! Unfortunately 60% chocolate and sugar are not paleo… Might try it without those.
jesserosa
March 9, 2014 at 6:50 pm (10 years ago)Reblogged this on apple.pie.and.pumpkin.soup and commented:
Another brownie? Oh why not?!!
Ally
March 9, 2014 at 11:49 pm (10 years ago)BEST brownies ever…I basically ate all of them, good thing I left had of them with my friend 🙂 they are also soooooo good frozen…nom nom
Vanessa Barajas
March 10, 2014 at 8:57 am (10 years ago)Frozen!?! Why didn’t I think of that!? You’re a genius.
Jill S
March 14, 2014 at 8:10 am (10 years ago)I made these a couple of weeks ago. I thought they were really nice and fudgy, but the almond butter just makes the flavor a little off somehow and quite right. As another post said, I wouldn’t turn them down and they all got eaten but, I think I need to play with the recipe a little and maybe try a different nut butter maybe (not a sunbutter fan)?! I started soaking my walnuts and then drying them in a dehydrator and the flavor of the walnuts is so nice and mellow. With that said, I might try to make some walnut butter and try them in this recipe instead?? I’ll repost if I end up doing that and let you know how it turns out!! –your dedicated fan, Jill 😀
Vanessa Barajas
March 14, 2014 at 12:12 pm (10 years ago)Yes feel free to get creative! I personally can’t stand sunflower seed butter either, and I bet peanut butter would be amazing, although not Paleo, some folks do just fine with it. Make it your own! I like to use Barney Butter Smooth Almond Butter when I make this recipe because it doesn’t taste so “almond buttery” and is identical in texture to peanut butter. Let me know how it goes with the walnut butter! I bet Pecan butter would be good too. 😉
Suzanne H
March 25, 2014 at 12:43 pm (10 years ago)So, how do these work in consistency with no gluten to hold them together? I kept thinking I was missing seeing the oat flour on the ingredient list, but there’s no gluten… Are they super gooey? And while I am not totally paleo, I might actually try these with fresh ground PB instead. 🙂
Vanessa Barajas
March 25, 2014 at 1:13 pm (10 years ago)No gluten at all, I promise! The almond butter, eggs, and chocolate hold it all together. They taste just like real brownies to me. Make them with peanut butter! I’m so excited for you. Peanut butter is my favorite and I miss it constantly. In fact, now I want to make them with peanut butter. I probably would still use almond butter in the batter just because it’s milder in flavor than peanut butter, so it won’t overpower the brownies, but then do the swirl with PB, it will be amazing! 🙂
Suzanne
March 26, 2014 at 7:37 am (10 years ago)I think I am going to attempt these over the weekend, since I have a ton of other baking to do this week. My hubby is kind of excited, cuz he is gluten-free, but I am sure I will be taking these to work on Monday, cuz if they are in the house, we will surely eat them all!!
Vanessa Barajas
March 26, 2014 at 12:10 pm (10 years ago)Your co-workers will want to marry you to. 🙂 Glad the hubby is excited too!
zoesmumlizs
May 11, 2014 at 8:00 pm (9 years ago)wow these all look awesome but chocolate and chocolate chips are not really paleo are they?
Vanessa Barajas
May 11, 2014 at 8:53 pm (9 years ago)Technically? No. But then again dessert isn’t Paleo either. Technically. Breakin’ the law, breakin’ the law!
midwestcorefitness
September 30, 2014 at 11:27 am (9 years ago)Do you know how many grams of carbs and sugar this contains? Thank you!!
Vanessa Barajas
September 30, 2014 at 1:11 pm (9 years ago)Sorry, I don’t have the nutrition info, you could try plugging the ingredients into a nutrition calculator online. I would say there are like 12-16 servings depending on how big of slices you make. You could also sub out the maple syrup for coconut sugar which would make the counts less as well, if that’s what you are looking for.
Laura
February 14, 2015 at 7:05 pm (9 years ago)They are in the oven! Can’t wait!
Donna
May 22, 2017 at 12:59 pm (6 years ago)I made these with cashew butter in the batter and sunbutter as the swirl and they were a huge hit with the kids. There are 2 left, and I’ve claimed them both. Thanks for a great recipe!
Vanessa Barajas
May 23, 2017 at 10:55 am (6 years ago)Yum! That sounds like a great combo! So happy to hear you liked them! 😀