Brownies are a delicious chocolate treat -- but traditionally high in sugar and fat. A 2-inch square can contain more than 10 grams of fat, 40 grams of carbohydrates and 250 calories. Although modifying the recipe can make brownies fat-free and low-carb diet friendly, they're still mostly empty calories and should be eaten in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Step 1
Use a fat-free, low-carb packaged brownie mix. The easiest way to make a fat-free brownie is by buying a commercially available product geared for low-carb dieters. To add moisture, these dry mixes suggest you use fat-free yogurt instead of butter or oil. If you are lactose intolerant, you can substitute a fat-free soy yogurt or use silken tofu and add vanilla to enhance the flavor. You can also use applesauce instead of yogurt, although this will increase the carb count. If the recipe calls for eggs, use a fat-free egg substitute.
Step 2
Lower the amount of carbohydrates in any brownie recipe by using an artificial sweetener in place of sugar. Sucralose, available as Splenda; sugar alcohols such as erythritol or xylitol; or stevia, a South American herb that can be used as a sweetener, can all be used in most conventional recipes. Do not use a liquid sweetener or it will affect the moisture of your brownies. Artificial sweeteners and sugar substitutes tend to be sweeter than sugar; you'll need to make adjustments to your recipe.
Step 3
Use a low-carb flour in place of wheat flour when baking. Almond and other nut flours, flaxseed, soy and coconut flours can all be used. Each flour has a unique taste; if you don't want to experiment, you can purchase a commercially prepared low-carb flour that has already been tested. Usually these are a combination of several low-carb flours and can be purchased specifically for brownie or cake baking. Other mixtures are suitable for low-carb bread or muffins.
Tips and Warnings
- Don't be afraid to experiment to find the best combination of artificial sweeteners, low-carb flour and fat substitutes. Keep careful notes about your recipe so you'll know what works and what doesn't.
- Don't expect a fat-free, low-carb brownie to taste like a conventional brownie. The more substitutions you make in the ingredients, the more you'll alter the taste and texture.
Things You'll Need
- Stevia
- Sucralose
- Nonhydrogenated margarine
- Yogurt
- Fat-free brownie mix
Member Comments