Go back to your childhood with these Healthy Little Debbie Copycat Cosmic Brownie Bites! These are extremely fudgy, and made with natural ingredients like avocado and almond butter!
It may be hard to believe looking at them, but these are made with not 1, but 2 avocados.
The Avocados are what give this that nice fudgy texture that really reminds you of Little Debbie.
I impulsively made these one day when I was craving a brownie, but not just a typical brownie, a frosted thick brownie, but in bite-sized pieces.
After cruising down the isle at the grocery store to buy cacoa powder I passed Little Debbies Cosmic Brownies and BAM, I knew I had to make them!
As you know, Little Debbie is not a Healthy Childhood memory. It’s a sweet, sugary one that involves a lot of sugar, butter, and nothing gluten free or dairy free.
How Does One Health-ify These In A Tasty Way?
To make a gluten free and dairy free (look at recipe for sub.) homestyle version I start with the roots, the ingredients. I look at what a typical Little Debbie Cosmic Brownie Contains and I look at what I can swap.
I swapped almond flour for wheat flour
I Used Truvia and reduced the amount of sugar
Incorporated a plant-based butter
Made the frosting with almond butter as the base
Added Avocados to reduce the amount of butter needed and create a creamy texture
By making simple swaps like these I was able to make these a treat I could really enjoy more often and ya know eat them since they’re gluten free.
i recommend using a cocoa powder that is high quality and is unsweetened as well. Most cocoa powders are naturally unsweetened, but some cheap versions in grocery stores use sugar as a filler so I recommend looking at the label and if you see sugar…
Just Run…
To another store that will have better selection.
How To Make That Thick Frosting
Could a cosmic brownie ever be a real cosmic brownie without a thick and creamy frosting? Yeah, I didn’t think so.
To make the frosting all you’ll need is Almond butter, cocoa powder, non-dairy milk, and Truvia. Once you make it, pop it into a ziplock bag and cut a 1/4 inch slit in the corner. Then, simply pipe it onto the brownie bites and use a butter knife or spatula to spread it even.
The key to getting the right consistency for this to not add too much non-dairy milk. The icing should be able to be placed on a brownie bite without dripping.
Another important part of this recipe is to let these cool. You need to be able to apply the frosting without it melting off so I would let these cool for a good 15 minutes.
If you’ve tuned in this far I would like to sincerely thank you as I sit atop the antique knife I used to frost these.
As you can tell I like to get a bit crafty with my recipes and edits, which is why I consider myself a Food Photographer and a Food Blogger. I can’t pick just one.
Move over Little Debbie because these Healthy Cosmic Brownie Bites will take you back to your childhood. These are rich in cocoa and have a decadent fudgy texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Brownie Bites
2 ripe small avocados, pitted and skins removed (about 3/4 cup once pureed)
1/2 cup Truvia baking blend (or sweetener of choice)
1 Tbsp Truvia brown sugar (or sweetener of choice)
2.5 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup Lilly’s no sugar added chocolate chips (use dairy-free chocolate to make this recipe completely DF)
2.5 tsp plant-based butter
2 large eggs
1/3 cup +1 tbsp cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup almond meal/flour
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
(Optional) Sprinkles
Frosting
3 tbsp almond butter
5 tsp cocoa powder
2 tbsp non-milk
1.5 tbsp Truvia
5 Tbsp for topping (this is mandatory!)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.and line an 8×8 inch pan with parchment paper.
In a food processor, pulse together the avocado, Truvia, and vanilla until the texture is smooth.
Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave in increments of 30 minutes and add the melted chocolate to the food processor and blend until smooth.
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk the eggs until they form bubbles
Combine the chocolate and avocado mixture from the food processor.
Add in the cocoa powder, almond flour, and sea salt and stir until the texture has zero chunks in it.
Fill the mini muffin tins until they are 3/4 full and bake for 35-40 minutes. It may take longer depending on your oven and if you fill them more.
Once you can stick a toothpick in the brownie bites and no batter sticks to the toothpick they are done. Let them cool for 15 minutes before frosting them.
While the brownie bites are cooling make the frosting. In a small bowl, melt the almond butter in the microwave for 30 seconds until it is smooth. Then, combine the remaining ingredients into the small bowl with the almond butter.
Pour the frosting into a small ziplock bag and cut a very small hole in the corner of the plastic bag.
Once the brownies have cooled begin frosting the brownies starting from the center and moving outward in a circular motion until the brownie bite is covered in chocolate on top. Once complete add the sprinkles.
Keep these stored in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Notes
When making the frosting be sure to add milk slowly as this is a thick frosting and you don’t want to make it drippy by adding too much liquid. If you accidentally add to much simply add more almond butter until it thickens.
This was calculated using Lily’s no sugar added chips.
Seek for the perfect potluck picnic appetizer no more! This Healthy Avocado Aioli is creamy and flavorful without using your traditional mayo! You can pair this with veggies, sweet potato fries, and sandwiches!
What Makes It So Healthy?
The main ingredients in this Aioli are Avocado and Greek Yogurt. Avocados, as you likely know are a great fat source high in vitamins like C, E, K, and B-6. When paired with the protein powerhouse of greek yogurt they are a nutrition powerhouse!
P.S. I am not a dietitian and I am merely taking note of the macronutrients and micronutrients within them.
What Do I Need?
Can I get a high 5? Because that’s all you’ll need!
5 ingredients!
You will chuck in all of these ingredients to the food processor
Minced garlic
Avocado
Greek yogurt (0%)
Lime juice
Chopped parsley
You’ll notice I didn’t include salt and pepper, but do those really count?
Not in my book…
What could potentially be the best part about this recipe is that all you have to do is add the ingredients to a food processor and blend it up!
No dishes is always a win in my book, which is why this recipe is my go-to for a quick recipe when last minute picnics pop up.
What Can I Pair With This Aioli?
The possibilities are E N D L E S S !
I find this goes great with sweet potato fries, carrots, sandwiches, basically anything that reminds you of a tangy lime infused cilantro ranch goes with it.
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