Just Baking

Type 2 Diabetes runs rampant in my genes, so I thought I would try a recipe I found on Diana’s Desserts website and review it for my mother (who has Type 2 Diabetes). While my mother is not one to bake from scratch, this is something I could make for her when she comes up for a visit in April. I also wanted to try this recipe for the mere fact that I had started a regimen of healthier eating and living and had a nasty sweet tooth.

Making these brownies was easy and a fun task for my 6 year-old daughter to help me with, down to the icing we put on the brownies. The only thing to remember here is that you must cut them into 24 squares and remember that one small square is the portion serving. Eating in moderation is something that many of us in my family lack, and something we all have to remember to work on.

When the brownies were cooled down and frosted, I tried one and my sweet tooth that had been bugging me was satisfied. Having to remember that one serving is a small square was rough, but one was enough to curb the carby sweet goodness craving.

Guilt-Free Brownies
Courtesy of Diana’s Desserts

Ingredients:
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 tsp. chocolate extract or chocolate flavoring
2 large eggs

For The Frosting:
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa
1 tbsp. skim or 2% milk
1/2 tsp. chocolate extract or flavor
1/8 tsp. butter flavoring
Walnuts halves, ( for garnishing tops of brownies) optional

Instructions:
Heat oven to 350° F (180 C). Grease bottom only of 8-inch square pan. Combine all brownie ingredients in a medium bowl and mix well. Spread in greased pan.

Bake at 350° F (180 C) for 13-18 minutes, or until top is dry and springs back when touched lightly in center. Cool for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, combine all frosting ingredients in a small bowl and mix well. Spread over top of slightly cooled brownies. Cut into 24 squares. Top each brownie with 1 walnut half, if desired.

Makes 24 brownies.

Nutrition Information:
(serving size: 1 brownie)
Calories: 80
Sodium: 50mg
Cholesterol: 18mg
Fat: 3g
Carbohydrates: 13g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 Bread/Starch and 1/2 Fat