Bringing together the brain-boosting benefits of the SuperFeast Lion's Mane Mushroom Powder and the deep, rich flavours of Chow Cacao's Smooth Dark Chocolate, this dark chocolate brownie recipe ticks every box you'd ever dreamed of!
Taking inspiration from a recipe collaboration we did with Hoskins Hens a few months ago, we've been slowly perfecting this combo, looking to create a recipe that is not only an incredible chocolate brownie, but something that also packs some epic health benefits.
If you aren't so familiar with Lion's Mane mushroom, it's a highly revered medicinal mushroom that has been used in human culture for thousands of years. It's most widely celebrated and researched for it's brain-boosting benefits (improved concentration, memory & focus) but is also indicated to have powerful anti-inflammatory properties, be rich in anti-oxidants and help with immune and nervous system health.
It's no wonder it's called 'Lion's Mane' when you see how it grows!
Lion's Mane isn't the only health-booster in this recipe - the benefits of eating moderate amounts of authentic dark chocolate are also well documented. Recognised as an anti-oxidant powerhouse, dark chocolate (80%+ cacao) such as Chow Cacao's Smooth Dark bar have been shown to help with blood-flow, reduce heart disease risk, lower cholesterol and also improve brain function!
So, if you want all the decadence of a traditional chocolate brownie with a bunch of evidence-backed health benefits, this is your new go-to! Whip up a batch and pair it with your favourite medicinal mushroom coffee for a morning snack that will boost your general health and fire you straight into your most productive days!
Lion's Mane Dark Chocolate Brownies:
I've called this one the 'Brain Brownie' due to the evidence-backed brain benefits provided by the Lion's Mane powder and dark chocolate ... nothing to do with brains as an ingredient. 😳
The flavour of Lion's Mane powder alone can be a bit overwhelming for some, but when mixed through the brownie batch it goes completely unnoticed.
Again, we've tested and tweaked for a very different spin but the structure for this recipe comes courtesy of Dayna from Hoskins Hens, a multi-award winning food blogger and recipe developer!
Note: Before you go ingredient shopping, I'd recommend joining our email list first - we have some brilliant subscriber discounts available that will save you a bunch!
INGREDIENTS:
- 4 tsp of SuperFeast Lion's Mane Powder
- 1/3 cup of Organic Raw Cacao (I use this one or this one)
- 1/2 cup of Organic Coconut Sugar (I use this one or this one)
- 250g unsalted organic butter (chopped into small cubes)
- 1 cup plain flour
- 4 eggs (3 whole + 1 yolk)
- 1/4tsp sea salt
- 2x bars of Chow Cacao Smooth Dark Chocolate
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Preheat your oven to 180 degrees.
- Line a 20cm x 20cm slice tin and set aside.
- Place your Chow Cacao bars and 100g of the unsalted butter into a large mixing bowl and place it over a medium saucepan with 2 inches of water. Bring water to the boil and gently mix the chocolate until melted. Set aside.
- Place the other 150g of unsalted butter and 1/2 cup of coconut sugar into a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously until the butter has melted and browned very slightly.
- Add 4tsp of SuperFeast Lion's Mane, 1/3 of a cup of organic raw cacao powder, 1/4tsp salt and 1 cup plain flour into the melted chocolate. Whisk to combine.
- Add your browned butter and eggs to the mixture and whisk together thoroughly.
- Pour your batter into the pre-prepared tin, tap gently on the benchtop to dislodge any large bubbles, and place in the oven to bake for 15 - 20 minutes (depending on how fudgy you want your brownies)
PREP TIME: 20 M - COOK TIME: 20 M - TOTAL TIME: 40 M
Some Key Points:
#1 Use a glass or metal mixing bowl for the double boiler at Step #3 to melt the Chow Cacao bars
#2 Whisk your eggs before adding them to your batter to make sure they are evenly combined - the last thing you want are egg white streaks or chunks of egg in your brownie!
#3 Test the brownies from the 15min mark with a skewer to get them to the exact texture you love.
#4 Because these brownies include melted dark chocolate, if kept in the fridge they will go a little solid. Warm them up slightly before serving.
PRO TIP:
Add 1/4 tsp of baking powder to the batter at step 5 to achieve a little more lift and a 'cakier' texture.
That's It!:
A simple, delicious and super-charged brownie recipe that will get your brain and body firing on all cylinders, while impressing the most discerning brownie connoisseurs!
I'd love to know what you think of it and would love to see your creations, give it a go at home and tag us in our socials, or simply send it through in an email so we can check it out :)