I know, you’re pretty much thinking I’ve lost my mind. Avocado in brownies?!? It’s not exactly an original idea, people have been baking with avocado forever, but it’s probably not something you ever expected to see here. And trust me, no one was more skeptical about this whole adding avocado to baked goods things than me…
The truth is I’ve been making these chipotle chicken kebabs weekly this summer, and when I do I always halve the avocado sauce recipe since Shane has no interest in even trying the sauce. As a result, I’m constantly trying to figure out ways to use the leftover avocado halves. I’m still not all that keen on eating avocados as is so a lot of obvious, simple ideas were out. Despite my hesitation, brownies seemed as good a destination as any for them!
Let me be clear – I’m not trying to pass these brownies off as healthy in any way. They’re not. The avocado replaces some of the butter in the recipe, but not all of it. And in addition to butter, there’s nearly half a pound of chocolate in the brownies and plenty of sugar. So you can rest assured these brownies are just as wonderfully chocolatey, fudgy, and rich as they look π I was kind of shocked by how much I enjoyed them since, like I said, I was pretty skeptical. Honestly, I couldn’t taste the avocado at all (and trust me, I would tell you if I could)!
I brainstormed the best way to convince Shane (confirmed avocado hater) to try these brownies and in the end decided to tell him there was a secret ingredient, but not reveal what it was until after he ate his first bite. I was confident he’d like them, and he did! He noted they were more dense than most of the brownies I make, and I’d agree. You wouldn’t guess there was avocado in this recipe, but texturally you might be able pick up on a difference. That said, I have no problem with dense, super fudgy brownies and I guess Shane didn’t either, since he proceeded to use the brownies as a base for ice cream sundaes all week π
You probably won’t find me adding avocados to many of my desserts, but where brownies are concerned, I’m definitely a convert! Happy Friday guys, hope you have a delicious weekend!
Fudgy Triple Chocolate Avocado Brownies
adapted from Cook’s Illustrated, May/June 2000
5 oz bittersweet chocolate, chopped
2 oz unsweetened chocolate, chopped
4 tablespoons unsalted butter (1/2 stick), cut in half
2 oz mashed avocado (about 1/2 avocado)
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
3 large eggs, at room temperature
1 1/4 cups (8.75 oz) granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (5 oz) all-purpose flour
Preheat oven to 350 F with a rack in the lower third. Spray an 8×8-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Line the pan with aluminum foil, leaving an overhang on opposing sides so you can lift the brownies out easily once they’re baked. Spray the foil with nonstick cooking spray.
Add the bittersweet chocolate, unsweetened chocolate, and the butter to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second bursts at 50% power, stirring in between each, until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. Add the mashed avocado and cocoa powder, and whisk until combined. Set aside to cool slightly.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, vanilla and salt until combined. Add the warm chocolate mixture to the egg mixture and whisk to combine. Finally, stir in the flour with a rubber spatula just until incorporated.
Pour the batter into the prepared baking ban, spreading evenly with a rubber spatula to cover the bottom of the pan. Bake the brownies for about 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached. (Do not over bake, or the brownies will dry out.) Transfer the pan to a wire rack and allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan. Use the foil to lift the brownies out of the pan and slice before serving.
Wow Tracey! They look like such rich and fudgy brownies! I would never guess there is avocado in them!! I have to give these a try seeing as I always have one too many avocado laying around!
These look so chewy!! Have a great weekend Tracey!!
Mmmmm these look really good! So much better than my attempt at avocado brownies (but mine had no butter so that was prob. the problem ;P)
yes you made them!! i know we talked about it a while ago. i’m thinking we try these avocado choc chip cookies i saw. if you’re free during the night anytime soon, we can knock it out together… like old times π i miss you, my friend!
I made avocado brownies last month. It had been on my bucket list for years and I finally did it. Fudgiest little things ever. Yours look incredible and I am sure they were a huge hit! I used Hershey’s Special Dark and could not taste the avo in mine either.
Love how rich and fudgy these brownies look! Have a good weekend Tracey!
Those are too fudgy to believe they have avocado in them, craziness!
I keep hearing how avocado makes stuff extra moist but wow these look awesome!
These were melt in your mouth delicious! Very moist and I didn’t taste any avocado either (and I like avocado, so I may not have minded!)
Thanks for sharing!
I think this sounds great – avocados are so nice and creamy. Good idea for using up some avocado!
Wow these look amazing, almost like flourless chocolate cake. I’ve seen avocado used in cakes before but always been skeptical. might have to try these though!
Oooh, these look amazing! Super fudgy just like I like my brownies. I want one!
I love how you just put it out there that these aren’t healthy! I just found that part sort of funny. I have seen people put avocado in brownies before but I, too, am skeptical. I have such sensitive taste buds. My mom said when I was a kid and I was trying to explain why I didn’t like something she said I told her it felt like my taste buds ere exploding. I’m just so afraid I would taste the avocado and then there would be a waste of brownies π These do look so rich and fudgy though π
I have been wanting to bake with avocados for a long time, but just haven’t done it! I always eat them too fast π These look amazing though, I might have to buy extra to just use them in these!
What I want to know is what Shane’s reaction was when he discovered the secret ingredient!!??
Such an awesome idea. They really do look crazy dense and fudgy!
Saw this on Food Fetish Friday and had to take a peek. I’ve never made avocado brownies – black bean ones, kale ones, sweet potato ones, but never avocado ones. They sound fabulous. And the images are certainly fetish worthy
Hi Tracey! I found your recipe website by accident, but decided to check it out. I am VERY impressed with you and your baking skills. The pictures you post are PHENOMINAL!
I made these avacodo brownies. WOW! They are the best brownies I’ve ever had!! You’re right – you CAN’T tell there’s avacodo in the recipe! And, they are great the next day – just what a brownie should be!
I’d like to know, though, if I didn’t want to add the avacodo to it (not everyone likes avacodo) what would I add in place of it to make the brownies come out as good?? I’m thinking more butter.
Thank you so much!
Judi Nulle
acookscollection@aol.com
@Judi – Thanks so much for your kind words! Glad you enjoyed the brownies, they’re one of our favorites. You’re right about swapping out the avocado – if you want to skip it, just use an additional 4 tablespoons of butter instead. So in total, 1 stick of butter for the recipe without the avocado.