These brownies are ah-mazing!
They’re soft, not too sweet, have a little spice, and they look so pretty baked in two layers.
And these are not your usual over-the-top with chocolate.
These made it to my A1 brownie list!
If you don’t have almond butter, you could use creamy peanut butter instead.
And if you don’t know about making your own Speculaas spice blend, you’re in for a pantry unique treat!
Combining spices is a wonderful way to have a signature spice your family loves because it’s not overpowering.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Bake time: 20 minutes
Yields: 12 servings
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Ingredients
Almond base layer
- 1/3 cup almond nut butter
- 2 T. unsalted butter, melted
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg at room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon real vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Speculaas spice blend
- 1/8 t. salt
Chocolate layer
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted (1 stick)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
- 1½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Speculaas spice blend
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- non-stick spray or a little butter
Equipment
- 8″ x 8″ pan
- parchment paper
- 1 medium mixing bowl
- 2 large mixing bowls
- measuring cups
- measuring spoons
- 2 stirring spoons
- bowl scraper
- oven mitts
- cooling rack
Steps
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line an 8” x 8” pan with parchment paper.
Either spray the paper with non-stick cooking spray or wipe with a little butter to prevent sticking.
Make almond base layer
2. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a small pot.
3. While the butter cools, mix sugar with almond butter in a large mixing bowl.
4. Add an egg that is at room temperature for maximum aeration in the dough.
5. Stir until egg is blended with all ingredients.
6. In a clean medium bowl add flour, salt, baking powder, Speculaas spice blend and stir until well mixed.
Pour dry ingredients into the wet ingredients.
7. Gently FOLD all ingredients together until the mixture has formed a ball.
8. Gently press the dough out onto parchment paper using the heel of your palm.
Chocolate top layer
9. Melt butter before adding to a medium-sized mixing bowl.
Add eggs, sugar, vanilla essence, and Speculaas spice blend.
Stir until well mixed.
10. Stir cocoa, salt, and flour in a separate bowl until well mixed.
Add to wet ingredients and gently FOLD until just mixed.
Do NOT over-mix or the brownies will turn out cake-like.
11. Pour chocolate mixture over the almond butter base layer.
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20-22 minutes.
Do NOT walk away from the oven! (This batch was baked for 25 minutes which was too long!)
Brownies should be soft and slightly gooey on the top, setting as they cool.
Tips to share
This recipe has an exact baking time.
Don’t walk away like I did, unless you don’t mind a slightly drier – but still delicious- brownie.
When you make the same recipe over and over, it’s exciting to make small changes.
This time I made the base thicker by not taking the dough all the way to one end of the pan.
I love how the almond butter, cocoa, and Speculaas spice blend worked together and have added this recipe to my list of brownie slices.
Next time I’ll change the sugar and use an organic dark brown sugar with molasses flavour!
Chocolate Almond Brownies
Equipment
- 8"x 8" baking pan
- Parchment paper
- 3 medium-sized mixing bowls
- Measuring spoons
- Measuring cups
- 2 wooden spoons
- Bowl scraper
- Oven mitts
- Cooling rack
Ingredients
Almond base layer
- 1/3 cup almond butter
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar packed
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 1/2 tsp vanilla essence
- 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp speculaas spice blend
- 1/8 tsp sea salt
Chocolate top layer
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla essence
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/8 tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) Line an 8” x 8” pan with parchment paper and spray with a non-stick cooking spray, or wipe it with a little soft butter.
Almond base layer
- Mix whole wheat flour, baking powder, Speculaas spice blend, and salt in a medium mixing bowl. Mix melted butter, brown and granulated sugars, egg, almond butter and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl.
- Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and lightly fold until they are just mixed.
- Press the almond brownie layer to cover the bottom of the pan.
Chocolate top layer
- Mix all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, Speculaas spice blend, and salt in a medium mixing bowl. Mix melted butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl.
- Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and lightly fold until they are just mixed. Do not over mix as the brownies will turn out cake-like.
- Pour the chocolate batter over the almond base and spread out evenly.
- Bake for 20-22 minutes.
- Brownies will look soft and gooey but will harden and set as they cool.
Notes
Nutrition
Finding joy with gift ideas
When someone bakes, they want to try something new, something that inspires them to try that new recipe.
For brownie-bakers, I found these gift ideas.
Adding your own message to a pyrex dish makes a very special gift for anyone who bakes. Pyrex makes a great brownie baking dish!
Oven mitts that look great are always a welcome gift and a baker can never have too many.
I like the thoughtful tab that makes them easier to hang up, then find in a hurry.
Kids feel extra-special when they see their name on things.
Having a personalized apron is a great way to introduce anyone to baking.
You could even have a matching set!
With your personalized baking set you’ll feel like hosting a brownie-swap party!
And, if someone else beats you to it, then thank them with this gift.
If you haven’t tried hosting a cookie swap party idea before, it’s a lot of fun. However it takes planning and a little thought.
Finding a healthier you
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
If all this reading about delicious brownies makes you want to order the finest mix on the planet, then check out Ghirardelli’s chocolate brownie mix.
Did you know, you can switch out the eggs with chia seeds?
For extra good health, I like to add a tablespoon of cacao nibs to my brownies.
And, if you’re following the recipe above, I’d love to make a suggestion that will shift the flavour.
Substitute your sugar for a richer, molasses-intense organic dark brown sugar.
Learn how to substitute baking ingredients
It happens . . . you grab the eggs for that 3-egg recipe and discover you only have one!
Perhaps you have a new vegan in the family or someone needs to make a dietary change.
There are ways around baking that get the same results.
When your recipe calls for brown sugar and you don’t have any, here’s your solution!
