Raspberry Fudge Brownies (GF! & Vegan)

"Chocolate causes certain endocrine glands to secrete hormones that affect your feelings and behavior by making you happy.  Therefore, it counteracts depression, in turn reducing the stress of depression.  Your stress-free life helps you maintain a youthful disposition, both physically and mentally.  So, eat lots of chocolate!" - Elaine Sherman, "Book of Divine Indulgences"


Happy Monday! - Hope you're having a great holiday weekend:)

These Raspberry Fudge Brownies were deelicious if you need your chocolate fix! Fruity and cake-like - they're great if you're looking for a different kind of brownie to bring to your summer bbq.  And, everyone can enjoy them so they're even better (and apparently great for my disposition too:))

To ease into our  week of shared recipes, I borrowed this one from "Living Without" magazine (check it out if you haven't already & you have food allergies!) Here's the website if you're interested: http://www.livingwithout.com/  In the mag this month they have an article with different brownie recipes we can all eat:)  AND, Don't forget!! - if you want to share a recipe or two here, send 'em to me @: ellenmillaine@gmail.com !!

Raspberry Fudge Brownies
1.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and grease and 8x8 baking dish.
2.  In a small bowl combine 2 Tbsp. flax meal and 6 Tbsp. of hot water.  Mix well and let sit for a few minutes to gel up (this is your substitute for 2 eggs).
3.  Melt 1/2 cup (1 stick) of dairy free butter substitute.  Combine this with: 3/4 cup sugar or stevia, 1/4 cup of honey, and 1 tsp. of vanilla extract.  Stir in the flax gel/egg substitute and 1/3 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder:

4.  In a small container combine 1/2 cup gluten-free all purpose flour, 1/2 tsp. baking powder,1/4 tsp. xanthan gum and 1/4 tsp. salt:

5.  Mix the dry ingredients into the wet & pour into prepared baking dish.  Bake for 20 minutes.

6.  While the brownies are baking, you can make the raspberry-'cream-cheese' topping.  Combine:  1/3 cup of raspberry preserves, 4 ounces dairy-free cream cheese (or regular if you can have it), 1/4 cup sugar or honey and 3 Tbsp. confectioners' sugar.  Beat it all up until well combined:

7.  Take the brownies out of the oven when done & let them cool for a minute.  Then spread raspberry 'cream-cheese' topping on them:

8.  Let chill in the fridge for bout 30 minutes.

9.  Make the chocolate coating by melting & combining 1/4 cup of dairy-free chocolate chips and 1 Tbsp. of dairy-free butter.  Drizzle over raspberry topping & use a fork to make some fancy designs if you're feeling creative:)  Chill in the fridge for another hour (or over-night).

Check out the rainbow we saw yesterday in O-town 

& ENjoy the brownies!!!