Chocolate Brownie Bars with Blueberry Chia Jam

Chocolatey deliciousness made the super healthy way, no added sugar, dairy free, can be easily made vegan (swap the eggs to chia eggs) and gluten-free by replacing oats to gluten-free, with a layer of tasty chia blueberry jam, takes these brownies to a whole new level. Our foodie friend Shilpa of Soulful and Healthy strikes again with these mouth-watering brownies!!!

Dry ingredients

• 60g ground almond
• 100g oats flour
• 70g pecans or walnuts
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 40g organic cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp whole white chia seeds
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• pinch of Himalayan pink salt

Wet ingredients

• 60 ml organic coconut oil melted
• 80 ml unsweetened almond milk or milk of choice
• 3 eggs
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1 tsp vanilla essence

To decorate

200g of good quality dark chocolate (swap vegan and dairy free chocolate chips)

Whole white chia seeds for sprinkling

Method 

1. Pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius and line a 9×9 inch square brownie pan with parchment paper.
2. Blitz the nuts in a food processor or a pestle and motor into small pieces.
3. Make the oats flour by blitzing the oats in a food processor.
4. Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl.
5. Add the wet ingredients to another bowl, mix well.
6. Then gently fold the mixture together.
7. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan.
8. Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 mins, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
9. While the brownies are baking, make the chia jam! *Find the recipe below*
10. Once the brownies are done let them cool completely on a wire rack.
11. Use a double boiler method and melt the chocolate pieces or melt in the microwave.
12. Once fully cooled down very carefully slit the brownie into half horizontally, (like you would a cake for icing) set the top half aside.
13. Apply a generous amount of the wild blueberries chia jam in between.
14. Place the other half on top, trim the edges so they are even.
15. Cut the brownies into long bars instead of squares.
16. Carefully pour the melted dark chocolate on each bar using a spoon.
17. Drizzle white chia seeds on top of each bar.

Blueberry Chia Jam 

• 120g frozen wild blueberries
• 2-3 tbsp of honey or maple syrup
• 2-3 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp whole white/black chia seeds

1. Add the frozen wild blueberries into a saucepan and bring to boil on medium heat for about 8 to 10 min stirring in between, the berries leave out all the juices.
2. After the juices have reduced a little, mash well using a fork.
3. Add the honey/ maple syrup and the lemon juice.
4. Taste the jam and depending on how sweet you would want, add more sweetener and lemon juice if needed.
5. Simmer for two mins on low heat.
6. Add the whole chia seeds and remove from the heat and let it cool.