Very Virtuous Brownies

A legit treat that can double as "second breakfast" (and won't make your kids bonkers)

Hi friends,

When it comes to feeding our kids, one of the things we wrestle with most is sugar. There is so much conflicting guidance when it comes to sweet treats with kids, that every decision can feel like the wrong one. Sugar will kill them. No sugar will make them into a social pariah. Bribing your kid with sweet treats is wrong but also it’s the only thing that works sometimes. You know the drill: a classic lose-lose parenting situation.

For the moment, here’s where we stand: it is pretty clear that refined sugar isn’t great in large quantities for any of us. It is also pretty clear that the categorical prohibition of certain foods can often lead to a fair amount of neurosis around the contraband (which is perhaps why Greta’s sugar-free childhood created a 40-year-old who loves to buy Haribo candy at any opportunity?). And finally, sugar highs and sugar crashes in kids are, shall we say, extremely unpleasant to contend with. As with basically everything, moderation is the answer we feel most comfortable with. Our kids get the odd ice cream cone when we’re out and about, they get the birthday cake at parties or the cookies for a celebration at school—but at home, we do our best to keep our baking largely free of refined sugar and, if possible, also loaded with things like protein, fiber, fruits and veggies.

With all of this in mind, unto Fanny these brownies were born. Sweetened with a little maple syrup and bulked up with a couple of (surprising) ingredients that do wonders for flavor, texture and nutrition, these brownies are legitimately brownie-delicious but also virtuous enough to be served to a frantic toddler as “second breakfast” or eaten by you as your “one and only lunch.”

Give ‘em a whirl,

Fanny + Greta

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