Whole 30 Brownies

• 3 large very ripe bananas (about 1 ½ cups mashed)
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 ½ cups raw crunchy almond butter (slightly drained of oil)
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare an 8 x 8 inch baking dish by spraying it with cooking spray or greasing it with coconut oil to prevent sticking.
2. In a large bowl, mash the bananas with a fork until smooth. Add the almond butter and mix until smooth. Add the cocoa powder and optional cinnamon, blending until no cocoa powder is visible.
3. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until set and slightly darkened on top. Remove from the oven and let cool completely before slicing.

Notes:

• These brownies are not very sweet, ideal for those following a clean eating diet.
• If the almond butter is hard, soften it by microwaving for 20-30 seconds before mixing with the banana.
• This recipe is designed for an 8 x 8 inch baking pan. Using a 9 x 9 inch pan will yield thinner brownies.
• For those following the Whole30 diet, the Whole30 book advises against mixing cocoa with fruits to create chocolate-y treats as it can perpetuate sugar cravings. This recipe is intended to help curb cravings and keep you on track if you’re tempted by cookies or regular brownies.