National Chocolate Mint Day

Today is National Chocolate Mint Day.

So, that gives us an excuse for making anything chocolate with mint flavoring.

I chose to make a quick microwave brownie. We save energy by using the microwave and a small amount is made so that we don’t have a whole pan to eat.

I started experimenting with microwave baking a few months ago when ‘World's Most Dangerous Cake ’ was posted on Mixing Bowl. I converted it to gluten free as World's Most Dangerous Cake - AKA Cake for One (modified gluten free).

Actually it is easier to make a quick dessert in the microwave than using the oven. Less energy (electricity or fuel) is consumed in the two to three minutes compared to around 45 minutes to pre-heat and bake a brownie in the oven. So who’s not for saving calories and energy?

Chocolate Mint Brownies - Gluten Free, Low-sugar, Lower- Fat (Microwave)
Ingredients
Brownie
3 T Quinoa (or GF all-purpose) flour
3 T Stevia in The Raw (granulated)
1 pinch salt
1 pinch baking soda
1 pinch cream of tartar
1/8 tsp vanilla powder, optional
2 T Ghirardelli unsweetened natural cocoa
2 T liquid egg substitute
1 dash mint oil or mint extract
2 T butter, melted
3 T skim milk or unsweetened almond milk
2 T walnuts, chopped
Frosting
2 Andes Creme de Menthe Thins
Procedures
1. Lightly spray a 1-qt glass dish with oil spray. Place the butter in the dish and microwave for about 30 seconds to melt, do not over-heat.

2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the first 7 ingredients. Add the egg, mint flavoring and cooled melted butter. Do not scrape the baking dish, as any butter left behind will be absorbed into the brownie.

3. Whisk to mix, adding in the milk and nuts. Save a few of the nuts to sprinkle over the brownie after it comes out of the oven, if desired. Spread batter into prepared dish.

4. Cook on high for 2 minutes 15 seconds using an 1100 watts microwave. Remove from oven. Using two small plates flip the brownie onto one and then turn top-side up onto the other one.



5. Glaze - Break the mints into smaller pieces. Place on top of hot brownie. Spread, when they start to melt.

If using the saved nuts, sprinkle them over the frosting.

Cut 1/4 of brownie per serving.

Enjoy

Servings: 4

Cooking Time: 2 minutes, 15 seconds - 1100 watt microwave oven at full power


Nutrition Facts
Nutrition (per serving): 126 calories, 9.9g total fat, 1.9g monounsaturated fat, 2.1g polyunsaturated fat, 4.6g saturated fat, 15.6mg cholesterol, 167.2mg sodium, 78.1mg potassium, 8g carbohydrates, 2.1g fiber, 6g net carbohydrates, <1g starch, 2g sugar, 3.4g protein, <1mg iron.

Feel free to substitute wheat flour for the Quinoa flour for a wheat version.