In typical ‘me’ fashion, last night after dinner I was in the mood for a little sweet treat 
. Considering I skipped the gym (oops), I wanted to find something that wouldn’t leave me feeling sluggish right before bed. I checked out Cooking Light (a great go-to for healthy and flavorful dishes) and found the perfect answer: Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Brownies. While the picture looked more like ‘blondies’ than brownies, I thought I’d found a winner considering the calorie count was just 125 per bar – not bad! The recipe was quick and easy to make, but I have to be honest, the bars definitley tasted ‘low cal.’ I should have realized when I saw that the whole stick of butter, often found in most cookies and bars, was simply ‘missing’ from the recipe. Also, the peanut butter taste could have been a little stronger for my liking.
Overall the bars are “not that bad,” both in calories and taste – a good option for those looking for a treat without the guilt. If I make these again, I’d probably add more peanut butter and drizzle the tops with chocolate (clearly making them more than 125 cals 
).
“Not That Bad” Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Brownies
Ingredients:
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chip (um…yea, a few more definitely ended up in the batter )
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg white
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Coat the bottom of an 8-inch square pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- Add flour, chocolate chips, baking soda and salt to a bowl.
- In a separate bowl, add granulated sugar, brown sugar, peanut butter, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, egg and egg white. Mix until well combined.
- Slowly add the flour mixture and stir until just combined – don’t over mix!
- Pour the batter into the coated pan and bake for 24-27 min, or until a toothpick comes out ‘almost clean’ – there should still be a few crumbs clinging to the toothpick.
- Cool and cut into squares.
Bon appetit!
Do you have a go-to recipe for sweet treats without the guilt??
- Christina
These definitely look like blondies! I’m curious to try them sometime (feel free to save me one in your next batch
) I have a recipe for some chocolate chip “cakies” (cookie/cake ish things) that I tried a while back from Weight Watchers, of all things! They were pretty good! I’ll have to give it to you so you can try them out – they also had 0 guilt!
I’m curious about the brownies too, Stina! Would def try one of those…
My fav reduced-guilt dessert is made with No Pudge Brownie mix, and is so so easy! 120 Calories, 0 fat (unless you do step 3)
1. Mix 2 tbsp of the No Pudge mix with 1 tbsp of non fat vanilla yogurt.
2. Microwave on high for 1 minute
3. (Optional)top with frozen cool whip, frozen yogurt, etc.
It doesn’t taste fat free at all, more like the middle of a molton cake or something…you prob have to try it to believe that, but I that’s what I think at least!
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