Rich, fudgy chocolate brownies enhanced with hemp flour and hemp hearts. The hemp ingredients add complete protein and balanced fats without compromising the indulgent character of a quality brownie. These are dense and intensely chocolatey.
Hemp Fudgy Brownies
Yields 16 brownies (in a 20cm / 8-inch square pan). Prep time 15 minutes. Bake time 25-30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup hemp flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (Dutch-processed if available)
- 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter (or unrefined coconut oil for dairy-free)
- 180g (6 oz) dark chocolate (60-70% cocoa), chopped
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup hemp hearts
- 1 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet)
- Optional: 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Method
- Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Line a 20cm (8-inch) square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on two sides for easy removal.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, hemp flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large microwave-safe bowl or double boiler, combine butter and chopped chocolate. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between, until smooth and melted. Allow to cool slightly (about 5 minutes).
- Stir in granulated and brown sugars. The mixture should be glossy.
- Add eggs one at a time, whisking vigorously after each addition. The mixture should become thick and pale brown.
- Stir in vanilla extract.
- Sift the dry ingredient mixture over the wet ingredients. Fold gently with a spatula until just combined.
- Stir in hemp hearts, chocolate chips, and chopped nuts (if using).
- Pour batter into the prepared pan. Smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes. The edges should be set but the centre should still appear slightly underdone. A toothpick inserted 2cm from the edge should come out with a few moist crumbs.
- Allow to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack (about 1 hour). The brownies will continue to set as they cool.
- Use parchment overhang to lift brownies out of pan. Cut into 16 squares with a sharp knife.
Nutrition per brownie
Approximately 280 calories, 4 grams protein, 16 grams fat, 32 grams carbohydrate, 2 grams fibre. The hemp ingredients add about 1 gram of additional protein per brownie compared to traditional brownies.
Why hemp in brownies
The dual hemp components work together:
- Hemp flour (20% of total flour): Adds protein and a subtle nutty flavour that complements the chocolate. The proportion is low enough not to affect the brownie's texture significantly.
- Hemp hearts (visible inclusion): Add visible nutritional value and a slight textural variation throughout the brownie.
The art of fudgy brownies
Several techniques produce the fudgy texture (vs cakey):
- More butter and chocolate than flour. The fat-to-flour ratio is what makes brownies fudgy.
- Less leavening. Baking powder is minimal; no baking soda.
- Egg incorporation. Whisking eggs into the warm chocolate mixture creates the characteristic shiny crackled top.
- Slight underbaking. Pulling them at the right moment is key. The centre should still look slightly soft.
- Cooling completely. Resist cutting while warm; they need to set fully.
Variations
- Salted caramel hemp brownies: Add 1/3 cup caramel sauce on top of the batter; swirl with a knife. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt before baking.
- Mint chocolate hemp brownies: Add 1 teaspoon peppermint extract; use mint chocolate chips.
- Espresso hemp brownies: Add 2 teaspoons instant espresso powder to the dry ingredients.
- Triple chocolate hemp: Use a mix of dark, milk, and white chocolate chips.
- Hemp protein brownies: Replace 1/4 cup all-purpose flour with 1/4 cup hemp protein powder.
- Vegan brownies: Replace butter with coconut oil; replace eggs with 4 flax eggs (4 tbsp ground flax + 12 tbsp water, let sit 5 minutes). Note: texture will be slightly different.
Storage
Counter: Stored covered at room temperature for 3-4 days. Brownies become more fudgy as they sit.
Refrigerator: Up to 1 week in an airtight container. Allow to come to room temperature before serving for best texture.
Freezer: Wrap individual brownies in plastic wrap, then store in freezer bags for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.
Serving suggestions
- Plain at room temperature
- Warm with vanilla ice cream
- With whipped cream and berries
- Topped with a dusting of cocoa powder
- Sprinkled with additional hemp hearts after baking
- As part of a dessert platter
- Crumbled over yogurt or ice cream