hormone healthy peanut butter brownies
yeah. you read that right.
During the luteal and menstrual phases of your menstrual cycle, you’re more likely to feel tired, hungry, and emotional. To a degree, this is normal and expected! If those symptoms become excessive or infringe on your life, that’s a sign of hormone imbalance. Because your hormones downshift right before/during your period, your body feels more tired, which can cause sugar cravings. Sugar is the most quickly absorbed and utilized form of fuel and is easily converted to energy in the body, so it may feel like your body is craving sugar (when it’s actually just craving energy)! Crazy, right?
There are lots of ways to help your hormones to balance out so the low energy + sugar cravings don’t hit SO HARD. Including a healthy balanced diet full of protein, fiber, and nutrients, a consistent and healthy sleep schedule, consistent exercise, supplementing with magnesium and vitamin C, and more.
But sometimes when those sugar cravings hit, you just need a treat. I’m a big treat girly during all phases of my cycle, so I get it.
These brownies have about 14 grams of sugar (along with 14g of fat and 9.5g of protein) in one brownie, compared to 50 GRAMS of sugar (with 12 g of fat and 2 g protein) in a Ghirardelli brownie of the same size. That’s crazy.
Along with that, they’re made with cacao powder, which is really nutritious and full of antioxidants, as opposed to cocoa powder, which is often full of sugar. The fats in these brownies are healthy, coming from peanuts and grass-fed butter. Coconut sugar is a healthier and more nutritious sugar option too!
Basically, these brownies are a more nutritious and balanced treat to support your hormones and fulfill all your chocolatey dreams. They’re gluten free and could easily be made dairy free!
PS, if you don’t like peanut butter/are allergic, you can make these with almond butter too!
Ingredients
1/2 c brown sugar, not packed
1/4 c coconut palm sugar
3 tbsp butter, melted
2 eggs
1 c natural peanut butter (just peanuts, no added oils or sugar. I use Kirkland brand and store it in the pantry so it stays runny)
1/3 c cacao powder (cacao, not cocoa)
3/4 tsp salt
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/3 c milk chocolate chips
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350F. Line an 8x8 baking dish with parchment paper.
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, coconut sugar, butter, eggs, cacao powder, peanut butter, salt, and baking soda until completely combined.
Fold in the chocolate chips. The batter will be thick.
Scoop into the lined baking dish. Use a spatula to press into one even layer.
Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and place on top of the warm oven (on the stove grates) for 20-30 minutes. This will help the brownies to set and retain their moisture!