Easy 59-calorie brownie recipe makes 'rich and chocolatey' treats

People often vow to shun all sweets while on a diet - and the temptation of such tasty treats can lead to many dieters abandoning their weight-loss goals altogether. But there are plenty of diet-friendly desserts for people to sink their teeth into - including these home-made brownies, which "truly taste rich and chocolatey".

These easy brownies take just five minutes to prepare - and at just 59 calories per small square, they're the perfect chocolate fix for people who are trying to lose weight. They do require one unique ingredient though - sugar-free chocolate syrup, such as the Sweet Freedom Choc Shot which can be found in most big supermarkets.

The recipe is the creation of diet-friendly chefs Catherine Allinson and Kay Featherstone, whose food blog Pinch of Nom contains a long list of healthy recipes, and a few sweet treats too.

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They said: "When you’re starting out your slimming journey, there are certain foods that you see ‘slimming’ versions of that are just too good to be true to be diet friendly! Introducing… our legendary Chocolate Brownies! Fear not, our divine Chocolate Brownies are super quick and easy to make, and they truly taste rich and chocolatey: ideal if you’re counting calories or following a plan like WW.

"These Chocolate Brownies should be slightly risen, with a little gooeyness in the middle. They won’t be quite as sticky as a full calorie version but they’re still really tasty. It’s best to under cook these brownies just a tiny bit, and leave them to cool in the tin. This carries on the cooking process so they’ll be just perfect!"

Ingredients

• 100g self raising flour

• 50g reduced fat spread or margarine

• 4 medium eggs

• 4 tsp Sweet Freedom Choc Shot

• 2 tbsp cocoa powder

• 4 tbsp granulated sweetener

• 25g dark chocolate chips

• 1 tsp baking powder

• low calorie cooking spray

Method

1. Pre-heat the oven to 170°C. Spray a baking tin (approx 8x8 inches) with low calorie cooking spray and line the bottom with baking parchment.

2. Place the reduced fat spread, granulated sweetener, baking powder, self raising flour, eggs, cocoa and Choc Shot into a large mixing bowl and mix thoroughly.

3. Pour into the lined baking tin and sprinkle over the dark chocolate chips. Place in the oven for 17 minutes.

4. Once cooked, turn out onto a wire rack and remove the baking parchment. Cut into 16 squares and serve warm or cold