As with so many things this year, Trick-or-Treating is looking different for many of us. Door-to-door candy collecting is being discouraged as are Trunk-or-Treat events. (That is an organized event in a parking lot where people gather their vehicles for the purpose of handing out candy to event goers from their trunks. Usually, the trunks and/or cars are decorated.) Many people are resorting to small group parties in their homes for Halloween 2020. For those who will be Halloween candy deprived this year, I’ve got you covered!

Brownies may not seem all that different or special for Halloween, but this version is. As written below, they are gluten-free. The fudgy consistency is achieved with almond butter, cocoa powder, brown sugar, and maple syrup. We preferred our brownies with sea salt sprinkled over the glaze, but for a more festive look, small Halloween candies or Halloween colored jimmies can be used. This holiday may be celebrated differently from other years, but it will still be chocolatey & delicious!

Almond Butter Brownies (adapted from ambitiouskitchen.com)  Make: 9-16 brownies, Total Time Required:  1 hour, 10 minutes, Prep Time: 15 minutes, Cook Time:  25 minutes, Cooling Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup almond butter
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 2 eggs
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons chocolate chips, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon coconut oil
• fancy sea salt, Halloween sprinkles or candies

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350º F. Line an 8×8 inch pan with parchment paper and set it aside.

In a large bowl, mix together the almond butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, and eggs until the mixture is smooth and well combined.

Add the melted butter, again mixing until smooth.

Add in the cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt and mix until it is all well incorporated.

Stir in 1/4 cup of the chocolate chips. The batter will be very thick.

Add the brownie batter to the prepared pan and spread it out using a rubber spatula, pushing the batter to the edges of the pan.

Bake the brownies for 20-30 minutes, until a tester comes out clean or with just a few crumbs attached. Allow the brownies to cool in the pan for at least 20-30 minutes before removing them.

Place the 2 tablespoons of chocolate chips and the coconut oil to a small microwave safe bowl and microwave them in 30 second intervals until the chocolate is smooth and melted.

Drizzle the glaze over the brownies.

Top with fancy sea salt, Halloween sprinkles or candies.

Cut into 9 or 16 squares for serving.

A delicious chocolate fix!  ~Linda

Almond Butter Brownies (adapted from ambitiouskitchen.com)  Make: 9-16 brownies, Total Time Required:  1 hour, 10 minutes, Prep Time: 15 minutes, Cook Time:  25 minutes, Cooling Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup almond butter
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 2 eggs
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons chocolate chips, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon coconut oil
• fancy sea salt or Halloween sprinkles or candies

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350º F. Line an 8×8 inch pan with parchment paper and set it aside.

In a large bowl, mix together the almond butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, and eggs until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Add the melted butter, again mixing until smooth. Add in the cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt and mix until it is all well incorporated. Stir in 1/4 cup of the chocolate chips. The batter will be very thick.

Add the brownie batter to the prepared pan and spread it out using a rubber spatula, pushing the batter to the edges of the pan. Bake the brownies for 20-30 minutes, until a tester comes out clean or with just a few crumbs attached. Allow the brownies to cool in the pan for at least 20-30 minutes before removing them.

Place the 2 tablespoons of chocolate chips and the coconut oil to a small microwave safe bowl and microwave them in 30 second intervals until the chocolate is smooth and melted. Drizzle the glaze over the brownies, and top with fancy sea salt, Halloween sprinkles or candies. Cut into 9 or 16 squares.