One of the challenges of trying to cook healthier has been making desserts. Yes, you can make desserts from scratch thus avoiding the packaged and processed part, but most desserts are still very unhealthy.
I am slowly trying to adapt some of my recipes to make them healthier. The main way I am doing this is to add whole wheat flour to things. I will be honest here, whole wheat does not always work. Certain things just don’t turn out right with all or part whole wheat. But I am having success with some things.
One of the recipes that I have adapted is one of my favorite brownie recipes. I was not sure how these would turn out, but I thought it was worth a try. These turned out really well. I was actually surprised at how good these are. You can hardly tell that they have whole wheat in them. In fact my husband did not notice at all. He usually will comment when I put whole wheat in things. This time I told him after he had two brownies and had said how good they were. He was very surprised to find out that they had whole wheat in them. These were one of the best recipes that I have adapted for whole wheat. Next time I am going to try all whole wheat. I will let you know how that goes, but for now try these.
Now, these are not healthy brownies, but they are healthier brownies. 
Whole Wheat Brownies
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 cups white sugar
Mix ingredients together and add
1 cup melted butter
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
Mix until well combined. Grease a 9×13 pan. Spread batter evenly and bake at 350 for 22-25 minutes or until done.
For more great recipes and tips see Tammy’s Recipes and Tempt My Tummy Tuesday.
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
Yum, brownies are always good. I like the idea of using the whole wheat flour. I need to buy some to keep in the pantry. I’ve missed you, over the holidays. Glad you are back, this week. I hope you had a great holiday season. Happy New Year.
{ Reply to this comment }
Great recipe. I’ve never used whole wheat flour. (we’re not the healthiest eaters in the world.) Maybe I’ll try it though. I’m sure my husband would love them, as long as I refrain from calling them whole wheat brownies.
{ Reply to this comment }
These look great! My only problem is, I like the brownies fresh out of the oven. That’s when I usually eat half the batch! I’m okay after they’ve cooled. They don’t tempt me at all.
Love that these are “healthier!.”
{ Reply to this comment }
These look delish!!
I’ve been trying to do healthier sweets. I found whole wheat pastry flour to not be as heavy as regular whole wheat flour, too.
{ Reply to this comment }
Those look yummy. I would eat the entire pan, which is why I don’t bake often.
{ Reply to this comment }
I’m going to try these today. We love brownies. I’ve made them with my wheat flour but we didn’t like them. It would be better to have some wheat in them than none.
{ Reply to this comment }
THose sound great Lynn. I have found that too when trying to substitute all or part wheat flour.
{ Reply to this comment }
What temperature did you cook these on? I’m guessing 350?
{ Reply to this comment }
Nice to increase our daily fiber as well.
{ Reply to this comment }
We just tried them. They are great! We couldn’t even tell wheat was in them. The texture is good too. I baked them in a smaller glass pan at 325 for 40 minutes to make them thicker. This is our new brownie recipe!! Thanks!
{ Reply to this comment }
I don’t have much luck w/whole wheat flour but I figure if I bake it I know what is going in.
{ Reply to this comment }
Those look yummy, I really should start baking with whole wheat. Thanks for the idea!
{ Reply to this comment }
I found a recipe on Passionate Homemaking for a healthier brownie some time ago and they are the only kind I make now. The recipe contains whole wheat and sucanat. My dad, who is very anti-healthy tasting stuff, loves them!
{ Reply to this comment }
I’m with you. I’ve been incrementally adding whole wheat flour to just about everything using flour. When the recipe can take it (muffins, for example) I also add flax meal for added nutrition. It can replace the oil in a muffin recipe if used in the right proportions.
Can not wait to try these–I am always on the search for a new brownie recipe. Thanks!
Andrea
{ Reply to this comment }
Another recipe that works great with whole wheat flour is banana bread. Personally, I think it gives it an even better flavor and texture than regular white flour.
{ Reply to this comment }
These were a big hit in our house, next time I’m topping with Lynn’s Cream Cheese Frosting.
{ Reply to this comment }
I made these for my dad for Christmas this year – I just happened to find this post through google.
My dad LOVES them. He said that they’re the best brownies he’s ever had and that he doesn’t really care about any of the other treats that have been served over the holidays.
Thank you!
{ Reply to this comment }
I am so excited to find your blog! I am a fellow homeschooler and I am trying to make healthier dishes for my family! I am going to try these brownies today! I know they aren’t healthy, but better than the box mix! Thanks for the awesome website!
{ Reply to this comment }