Irresistible Vegan Chocolate Brownies - inspired by Jamie Oliver’s Bloomin Brilliant Brownies

We are great believers in feeding our retreat guests well, and aim for a culinary balance that is healthy, delicious, and occasionally a little bit naughty...

Whether you're vegan, vegetarian or a committed carnivore, you can't fail to be blown away by these easy-to-make, just a little naughty dark chocolate brownies, famously served on our Suffolk Art of Relaxation retreats and Marrakech Wellbeing Weekends.

Here's what you'll need:

250 g unsalted vegan butter

200 g good-quality dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids), broken up

50 g chopped nuts, optional

80 g cocoa powder, sifted

65 g plain flour, sifted

1 teaspoon baking powder

360 g caster sugar

2 large bananas, blended*

¾ teaspoon arrow root

zest of 1 orange, optional

250 ml soya cream, optional

*Alternative try 1 advocado and 1 bananna

Here's what to do:

Place bananas in a blender and blend until they form a pulp of smooth consistency with no lumps. Add the arrow root and blend for a further five seconds (replacing the eggs in the traditional chocolate brownie).

Preheat your oven to 180°C/350°F/gas 4. Line a 24cm square baking tin with greaseproof paper. In a large bowl over some simmering water, melt the butter and the chocolate and mix until smooth. Add the nuts, if you’re using them, and stir together.

In a separate bowl, mix together the cocoa powder, flour, baking powder and sugar, then add this to the chocolate and nut mixture. Stir together well. Mix in the banana mixture until you have a silky consistency.

Pour brownie mix into the baking tray, and place in the oven for around 25 minutes. You don’t want to overcook them so, unlike cakes, you don’t want a skewer to come out all clean. The brownies should be slightly springy on the outside but still fabulously gooey in the middle.

Allow to cool in the tray, then carefully transfer to a large chopping board and cut into chunky squares.

For a delicious pudding, serve with soya cream, mixed with some orange zest. Or simply serve as they are, for a slightly naughty (but do-ably so!) afternoon treat.

Mostly importantly of all: enjoy!

Dark chocolate facts:

The cacao bean contains flavonoids, B vitamins, magnesium, iron, copper, zinc, and a seductive cocktail of mood-boosting chemicals!

Bearing in mind we are not advocating eating dozens at once, here are some health benefits of enjoying dark chocolate in moderation:

Antioxidant protection

Increased cardiovascular support

Anti-aging effects

Healthy inflammatory response

Improved immune function

Improved mood and emotional health

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