A Brownie Recipe for People with Diabetes

Made from nourishing components and without added sugars, these brownies deliver a dense, fudgy bite while preserving great flavor.

Bake smarter brownies

Overconsumption of sugar is often cited as a key factor linked to the development of type 2 diabetes, though diabetes arises from a mix of environmental, genetic, and metabolic influences.

Still, having diabetes doesn’t mean you must skip baked treats.

By swapping certain ingredients, classic desserts can be remade into appropriate alternatives. Your sweets can remain delicious and may even offer nutritional benefits.

Portion management completes the strategy. A small amount of something delightful can be very satisfying.

Simple Brownie Formula

• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Bake time: 25 to 28 minutes
• Makes 16 squares

Ingredients

• Shortening or nonstick spray, to coat pan liner
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 cup canola oil (or other vegetable oil)
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 cup powdered stevia extract (cup-for-cup sugar substitute)
• 3 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup sugar-free chocolate chips, divided
• 1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts or pecans, divided (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350º F (180°C). Line an 8 x 8-inch baking pan with foil or parchment, leaving edges to act as handles. Grease the liner with shortening or spray.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, and baking powder. Set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer on low (or a large spoon by hand), blend oil, applesauce, stevia, eggs, and vanilla. Gradually add the flour mixture, stirring until the dry ingredients are incorporated. Fold in 1/2 cup each of the chocolate chips and chopped nuts.
4. Spread the batter into the prepared pan. Scatter the remaining chips and nuts over the top.
5. Bake 25 to 28 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist, fudgy crumbs. Avoid overbaking.
6. Let brownies cool in the pan. Once cooled, use the liner to lift them onto a cutting board. Remove the liner and slice into squares.
7. Keep brownies stored in an airtight container.

Nutrition information

One serving (one brownie) made with walnuts in this recipe contains roughly:

• 191 calories
• 15.6 g fat
• 14.4 g carbohydrates
• 2.5 g dietary fiber
• 3.8 g protein

Tips & tricks

• Read product labels carefully and choose stevia formulated to replace sugar cup for cup.
• Stevia is sweeter than sugar by concentration. While this recipe uses about half the sugar a typical brownie recipe would call for, you may want to tweak the stevia amount to suit your palate.

Bottom line

Brownies and other baked treats can fit into your eating pattern even if you have diabetes.

Sample menus from the American Diabetes Association suggest keeping carbohydrate totals for most meals around 45 to 60 grams. These meals should emphasize high-fiber choices and complex carbohydrates.

If you plan to include dessert, consider reducing carbs elsewhere in the meal. Or, if stopping at a single square is difficult, reserve indulgent treats for birthdays, holidays, or other special events.

Most importantly, savor it!