Slimming World Brownies

Today's post is a little different to my usual high calorie treats. Back in September I joined slimming world and since then I have lost 3 stone 5 and counting. Since this time there has been a steady decline in the amount of baking I have done because everyone at home is trying to be good and the temptation to have a spoonful of mixture is far too high.

Last week, our wonderful slimming world consultant Rich ask group members to review some of the slimming world recipe books. Instantly I said that if there is a dessert one that's my cup of tea and surprise surprise there is!

So this is the first of a few posts I will do focusing purely on slimming world baking and dessert making with my views on whether they match up to their full fat cousins. I might even have a go at making some of my own slimming world friendly recipes for the keen bakers and pudding eaters, like me who are also trying to watch their waistlines!

If you don't follow slimming world then you don't need to be too concerned about how it fits in to the healthy eating plan however just briefly women are allowed up to 15 syns a day whilst men can have up to 25. Syns are attributed to foods that are generally a little bit 'naughty' (sorry Rich, know that this word isn't usually used) such as chocolate, crisps, sweets, alcohol and ready made sauces to name but a few. So, when deciding what treats to have you should, to stay on plan, tally up the syns and make sure you don't go over. Slimming world recipes are adaptations of 'normal' recipes that makes a few subtle substitutions for healthier alternatives. If you want to know more, you can find your local group on the slimming world website.

Anyway, back to the recipe...

Salted Caramel Brownies

364 days ago my big sister was quite poorly and was going to have to give up various things from her diet to avoid becoming unwell again. So, as a supportive little sister I said that I would give up something with her for a full year to provide moral support. I chose chocolate - my favourite thing! Throughout the year I have continued to bake lots of chocolatey things and have had to deligently decline trying all of them. On reflection I think that the most well received chocolate bake I have made was my marshmallow chocolate brownies so it was an adaptation of these that I decided would be my first taste of cocoa upon completing my year of abtinance.

I have opted to go for a salted caramel version to fully indulge!

Chocolate Marshmallow Brownies

I IAs well as treating my work colleagues to some lemon drizzle slices for our development day a couple of weeks ago I also whipped up a batch of chocolate marshmallow brownies.

When my Dad walked in from work to discover me baking again and asked what I was cooking he was less than impressed when I said 'brownies'. 'Urrrggh I'm not a fan of brownies' he proclaimed. However when  they were finished and I wanted a willing volunteer to test them on my behalf on account of not being able to eat chocolate, he obliged and his view on chocolate brownies were quickly changed. Through the 'mmmms' and 'aaaahhhs' he reminisced about his school days and I have promised to make another batch for him to have warm with chocolate custard. Every so often I get my icecream maker out - I think these would be great with some of my homemade french vanilla ice-cream. Another thing I will have to remake on the 3rd of July!