fbpx

Chocolate almond brownies

Two-layered soft, chewy, chocolate almond brownies that aren't too sweet yet, with a hint of spice, they are different from any others. Easy to make and quick to bake.
This recipe has many kid-friendly activities.
Chocolate Almond Butter Brownies
Chocolate Almond Butter Brownies
Cooked just right!

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

Chocolate almond butter brownie slice cooling on a rack
Cooked just a little too long - but still delicious!

I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post at no cost to you. Read my full disclosure here.

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
Speculaas spice blend in a bowl with a measuring spoon
Speculaas Spice Blend
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
A row of brownies

Steps

  1.  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 tablespoons of butter melting in a small pot

2.  Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a small pot.

Mix sugar with almond butter

3.  While the butter cools, mix sugar with almond butter in a large mixing bowl.

Egg with sugar and almond butter

4.  Add an egg that is at room temperature for maximum aeration in the dough. 

Egg mixed in with almond butter and sugar

5.  Stir until egg is blended with all ingredients.

Mixing flour in with wet 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.

Mixture forms a ball

7.  Gently FOLD all ingredients together until the mixture has formed a ball.

Base layer of chocolate almond brownies

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. 

Mixing in wet and dry ingredients
Almost mixed enough!

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.

chocolate almond butter slices in the pan before being baked
To make a thicker base, press the dough to the thickness you prefer. I made mine 1/4" thick this time and the chocolate top layer oozed over a little, but still tasted amazing after!

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.

Chocolate almond butter top layer cooked
As soon as I saw the top, I knew it was a little over-cooked
Testing a chocolate almond butter brownie slice with a cup of tea
Slightly drier but still little gooey and always worth making again!

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 Butter Brownies

Chocolate Almond Brownies

Heather
Two-layered soft, chewy, chocolate almond brownies that aren't too sweet yet, with a hint of spice, they are different from any others. Easy to make and quick to bake.
This recipe has many kid-friendly activities.
No ratings yet
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 22 minutes
Total Time 37 minutes
Course Cookies, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 12 people
Calories 295 kcal

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

In the chocolate batter, you could substitute the all-purpose flour with whole wheat for extra fibre.

Nutrition

Calories: 295kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 5gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 72mgSodium: 71mgPotassium: 196mgFiber: 3gSugar: 27gVitamin A: 362IUCalcium: 62mgIron: 1mg
Keyword easy, kid-friendly
To share this recipePlease use @wholefoodstudio or #wholefoodstudio

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!

 

Previous Post
Close up of baked dog cookies
Baking Pets

Healthy Homemade Dog Treats

Next Post
Tirokafteri sourdough crackers on a wood and marble cheeseboard
Baking Recipes

Tirokafteri Sourdough Crackers

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating