• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Thechowdown

  • Home
  • Recipes
    • All Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Appetizers
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Snacks
    • Dessert
    • Drinks
    • Condiments and Dressings
  • About
  • Favorites & Reviews
  • How To’s & Guides
  • Contact

Healthy Fudgy Turtle Brownies

April 29, 2021 by thechowdown Last Modified: July 25, 2021

FacebookTweetPinYummly
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

These healthy fudgy turtle brownies are the BEST gluten, dairy and refined sugar free brownies you will ever eat! Skip the box mix and make a batch of these gooey, chewy and perfectly chocolatey brownies.

Stack of healthy fudgy turtle brownies with caramel drizzle

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. 

Healthy Fudgy Turtle Brownies

I am so excited to share these incredibly delicious and decadent fudgy turtle brownies. One of my goals for 2021 is to get more baked desserts on my blog and I am starting with these gems.

If you have visited my blog before, you may have noticed that I love no bake desserts. They are quick, easy and a great alternative to baking in the hot summer months. I love these no bake brookie bars, no bake carrot cake bars and no bake salted caramel pretzel cups.

However, there is something special about diving into a homemade dessert that is hot and fresh out of the oven. Especially when said dessert is these gooey turtle brownies!

Made with healthier ingredients, such as coconut sugar, almond flour and dark chocolate, these turtle brownies are gluten free, dairy free and refined sugar free.

For these turtle brownies, a special technique is used where the eggs and coconut sugar are whipped until light and fluffy (also known as the ‘ribbon stage’) before being combined with the melted chocolate and remaining ingredients. This results in a shiny, crinkly top and super fudgy texture.

plate of fudgy turtle brownies

Brownie Ingredients

Chocolate: dairy free dark chocolate is used in this recipe. Most of the chocolate is melted down with the chocolate oil. The rest (chips or chunks) is folded into the batter. I like Enjoy Life chocolate chips.
Coconut oil: use refined coconut oil if you’re worried about the coconut flavor (although I used unrefined and could not taste any coconut).
Eggs: the eggs will be whipped to create volume and a rich, fudgy texture.
Coconut sugar: coconut sugar is an unrefined, natural sugar that contains inulin, which can help prevent blood sugar spikes. It has similar calorie content to regular sugar.
Vanilla: you may be wondering, why add vanilla to brownies? Vanilla adds an additional layer of flavor and brings out the flavors of the other ingredients.
Cacao powder: cacao powder is minimally processed and more nutritionally dense than cocoa powder.
Almond flour: the gluten free flour of choice for these brownies. Just a little is used to ensure a super fudgy texture.
Baking powder: not used in traditional brownie recipes, but added for good measure to avoid getting brownies that are too dense.
Salt: like vanilla, salt brings out the other flavors, especially the chocolate.
Instant coffee: coffee helps intensify the chocolate flavor and a little goes a long way. It is optional, but highly recommended!

Turtle Ingredients

Cashew butter: cashew butter and maple syrup are combined to create a caramel like swirl. You can also use almond butter.
Maple syrup
Walnuts: you can’t have turtle brownies without nuts! Walnuts are preferred, but pecans work too.

turtle brownie batter in pan

Equipment

Stand mixer (you can also use a hand mixer)
Double boiler (you can also use a heat safe bowl over a pot of simmering water)
Rubber spatula
Small saucepan: to make the 2 ingredient caramel
Measuring cups and spoons
8×8 baking dish
Butter knife: for swirling the caramel into the brownie batter

turtle brownies in pan

Instructions

Prep

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C).
  2. Add eggs and coconut sugar to a double boiler over medium low heat. Whisk mixture constantly until coconut sugar has dissolved, approximately 3 minutes.
  3. Transfer egg mixture to a stand mixture with the whisk attachment. Whip egg mixture until pale, light and voluminous. This should take approximately 6-8 minutes.
  4. Clean and dry double boiler well and then add 1 cup of the chocolate and coconut oil. Stir until the chocolate is mostly melted. Remove from heat and allow remaining chocolate to melt. Allow mixture to cool for a few minutes.
  5. Add chocolate mixture and vanilla to whipped egg mixture. Mix until just combined.
  6. Gently fold in the cacao powder, almond flour, baking powder, salt and remaining chocolate chips/chunks into wet ingredients with a rubber spatula.
  7. Dissolve instant coffee in 1 tsp of hot water. Fold into brownie batter.

Assemble

  1. Pour batter into a well greased and/or lined 8×8 inch baking dish.
  2. In a small saucepan over low heat, combine cashew butter and maple syrup. Bring to a boil, whisk and boil for 1 minute. Allow to cool slightly.
  3. Gently pour caramel evenly onto brownie batter. Use a knife to swirl caramel into brownie batter.
  4. Top with walnuts.

Bake 

  1. Bake at 350°F (177°C) for 30-35 minutes.
  2. Allow brownies to cool completely before removing from the baking dish and cutting into squares.

healthy fudgy turtle brownie stack

Tips

  • Ensure the water in your double boiler is at a gentle simmer to ensure you do not overheat the eggs.
  • Be sure to continuously whisk the eggs and coconut sugar while in the double boiler to prevent the eggs from scrambling.
  • Clean and dry your double boiler well before adding the chocolate and coconut oil.
  • Allow the chocolate to cool for a few minutes before adding to the egg mixture.
  • Gently fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients to avoid deflating the eggs. This video demonstrates how to fold in ingredients.
  • Grease your baking dish very well and/or use parchment paper for easy removal.
  • Allow brownies to cool completely before removing from pan and cutting.

fudgy brownie stack collage

FAQ

Do I have to heat the eggs and coconut sugar together?

The purpose of heating the eggs and coconut sugar together is to allow the coconut sugar to fully dissolve into the eggs. This is hard to accomplish when the eggs are cold.

Do I have to whip the eggs?

The technique of whipping the eggs until the ‘ribbon stage’ is reached is used in this recipe to help give volume to the brownies. Since we are using coconut oil instead of butter, less air is being whipped into the ingredients. Therefore, whipping the eggs creates a luscious texture that results in voluminous but fudgy brownies. This article does a great job explaining what this technique does to brownies.

What is the ‘ribbon stage’?

The ribbon stage is a stage of whipping eggs where the mixture is pale in color, light and fluffy and many times more voluminous than before whipping. When you remove the whisk from the mixture, the mixture on the whisk should fall in ‘ribbons’ into the bowl and slowly disappear into the mixture in the bowl.

Why is instant coffee used in this recipe? 

Coffee brings out the flavors in the chocolate. This is because coffee and chocolate share the same flavor profile. You will not taste the coffee. It can be replaced with espresso powder or omitted altogether.

Can I use an egg substitute to make these brownies vegan?

I have not tested this recipe with any vegan egg substitutes. However, the whipped eggs are a key component in this recipe, and I do not think there are any egg substitutes on the market currently that will whip to the ‘ribbon stage’.

plate of turtle brownies

Substitutions

Almond flour: try 1-to-1 gluten free flour in place of the almond flour.
Instant coffee: you can use espresso powder mixed with 1 tsp hot water in place of instant coffee or omit altogether.
Cashew butter: you can use almond butter in place of cashew butter for the 2 ingredient caramel.
Walnuts: try pecans or omit altogether if you do not like nuts in your brownies (although they won’t be true turtle brownies!)

More Recipes You’ll Love

  • Healthy Homemade Snickers Bars
  • S’mores Cookie Dough Bars
  • Dairy Free Mini Apple Cinnamon Cheesecakes
  • Pecan Pie Bars

If you make this fudgy turtle brownies, be sure to leave a comment below and rate this recipe! If you snap a pic, be sure to tag me on Instagram @thechowdown! I love seeing your creations!

Stack of healthy fudgy turtle brownies with caramel drizzle
Print Recipe
5 from 9 votes

Healthy Fudgy Turtle Brownies

These healthy fudgy turtle brownies are the BEST gluten, dairy and refined sugar free brownies you will ever eat! Skip the box mix and make a batch of these gooey, chewy and perfectly chocolatey brownies.
Prep Time30 minutes mins
Cook Time35 minutes mins
Total Time1 hour hr 5 minutes mins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: dairy free brownies, gluten free brownies, gluten free turtle brownies, healthy brownies, paleo brownies, paleo turtle brownies, turtle brownies
Servings: 16 servings
Cost: -

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups dark chocolate chips or chunks
  • 1/2 cup coconut oil
  • 1 cup coconut sugar
  • 3 eggs whisked
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup almond flour
  • 1/4 cup cacao powder
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp instant coffee
  • 1/4 cup cashew butter
  • 1/3 cup maple syrup
  • 3/4 cup chopped walnuts

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line an 8x8 inch baking dish with parchment paper.
  • Add whisked eggs and coconut sugar to a double boiler over medium low heat. Whisk mixture constantly until coconut sugar has dissolved, approximately 3 minutes.
  • Transfer egg mixture to a stand mixture with the whisk attachment. Whip egg mixture until pale, light and voluminous. This should take approximately 6-8 minutes.
  • Clean and dry double boiler well and then add 1 cup of the chocolate and the coconut oil. Stir until the chocolate has mostly melted. Remove double boiler from the heat and allow remaining chocolate to melt. Allow mixture to cool for a few minutes. Add chocolate mixture and vanilla to whipped egg mixture. Mix until just combined.
  • Gently fold the cacao powder, almond flour, baking powder, salt and remaining 1/2 cup chocolate chips/chunks into wet ingredients with a rubber spatula. Dissolve instant coffee in 1 tsp of hot water. Fold into brownie batter. Pour batter into prepared baking dish. 
  • In a small saucepan over low heat, combine cashew butter and maple syrup. Bring to a boil, whisk and boil for 1 minute. Allow caramel to cool slightly.
  • Gently pour caramel evenly onto brownie batter. Use a knife to swirl caramel into brownie batter. Top with walnuts. 
  • Bake at 350°F for 30-35 minutes. Allow brownies to cool completely before removing from the baking dish and cutting into squares. 

Notes

  1. If you do not have a double boiler, you can place a heat safe bowl over a pot of simmering water. 
  2. If you do not have a stand mixer, you can use a handheld mixer. 
  3. Gently fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients to avoid deflating the eggs.
  4. Allow the brownies to cool completely before removing from the pan and cutting. 
FacebookTweetPinYummly
Previous Post: « Cinnamon Roll Oat Cake
Next Post: Spicy Fish Taco Bowls »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Brianna May

    May 10, 2021 at 10:08 am

    5 stars
    Yummy!

    Reply
  2. Brianna

    May 10, 2021 at 10:54 am

    5 stars
    Love that cashew butter/maple topping!

    Reply
    • thechowdown

      May 20, 2021 at 11:15 am

      Thank you Brianna, glad you enjoyed!

      Reply
  3. Emily Flint

    May 10, 2021 at 11:15 am

    5 stars
    These sound and look amazing!!

    Reply
    • thechowdown

      May 20, 2021 at 11:15 am

      Thank you, Emily!

      Reply
  4. Audrey

    May 10, 2021 at 11:26 am

    5 stars
    I love these brownies!

    Reply
    • thechowdown

      May 20, 2021 at 11:15 am

      Thank you for the kind words, Audrey!

      Reply
  5. Angela

    May 10, 2021 at 11:26 am

    5 stars
    What a delicious recipe! I love the depth of flavor that the instant coffee adds. Yum!

    Reply
    • thechowdown

      May 20, 2021 at 11:16 am

      Coffee does wonders for chocolate baked goods. Thank you for the kind words!

      Reply
  6. Oscar

    May 10, 2021 at 11:42 am

    5 stars
    Wow, I need to make these.

    Reply
  7. Colleen

    May 10, 2021 at 12:03 pm

    5 stars
    These brownies were so decadent and delicious! They disappeared fast!

    Reply
    • thechowdown

      May 20, 2021 at 11:16 am

      I am so glad you enjoyed, Colleen!

      Reply
  8. Jeri

    May 10, 2021 at 12:14 pm

    5 stars
    I love that these are made with natural sweeteners and dark chocolate. Thanks for sharing the recipe!

    Reply
  9. Leslie

    May 11, 2021 at 6:19 pm

    5 stars
    Best healthy brownie recipe!

    Reply
    • thechowdown

      May 20, 2021 at 11:16 am

      Thank you, Leslie!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Welcome to the Thechowdown!

My name is Kasey and I love to cook. On my site, you will find a variety of delicious and wholesome recipes, as well as cooking tips, 'how-to' guides and 'favorites' lists. I hope to spread the passion for cooking to you! Read More…

Let’s Connect!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
30% Off Mega Holiday Snack Box Promo!

Holiday Recipes

Thanksgiving pizza on a round wooden cutting board.

Thanksgiving Pizza

Maple bacon Brussels sprouts.

Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts

White chocolate peppermint martini.

White Chocolate Peppermint Martini

A hand holding a pesto puff pastry Christmas tree up in front of a platter of more puff pastry Christmas trees.

Pesto Puff Pastry Christmas Trees

See More

Fall Recipes

The finished butternut squash sausage orzo in the pan with a small bowl of parmesan cheese next to it.

Butternut Squash Sausage Orzo

A close up of a muffin with a bite taken out to show inside texture.

Oat Flour Pumpkin Muffins

Roasted honeynut squash on a plate.

Roasted Honeynut Squash

a close up shot of a piece of pumpkin coffee cake on a plate.

Pumpkin Coffee Cake

See More

Popular Recipes

Stack of healthy fudgy turtle brownies with caramel drizzle

Healthy Fudgy Turtle Brownies

chocolate chip cookie dough baked oats

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Baked Oatmeal

a sugar cookie truffle cut open to see the inside texture

Vegan Sugar Cookie Truffles

a batch of key lime pie bars cut into squares

Healthy Key Lime Pie Bars

See More

Appetizers

Dunking a homemade pizza roll into marinara sauce.

Homemade Pizza Rolls (Oven or Air Fryer)

Fig Panzanella Salad in a big serving bowl with serving utensils.

Fig Panzanella Salad

Two caprese flatbreads on a baking sheet.

Caprese Flatbread

The 4 ricotta toasts on a piece of parchment paper with various ingredients surrounding them.

Ricotta Toast (4 Ways)

See More

Shop the WÜSTHOF Classic Series

Categories

Copyright © 2023 Thechowdown on the Foodie Pro Theme