Orange Olive Oil Brownies

These are moist and rich and made with a chocolate infused olive oil from Lucero and a hint of orange flavor. You can certainly substitute the chocolate oil with a fruity plain olive oil but, why use butter if you can make these gorgeous brownies with healthier olive oil. If you prefer them plain then leave out the chocolate chips and walnut topping. Try them you will love them.


You will need:

• 4 oz bittersweet or unsweetened chocolate - chopped
• 1/2 cup olive oil - I used Lucero Chocolate infused Olive Oil
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup honey
• 3 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 orange juice
• 1 tbsp Amaretto - almond liqueur or any orange liqueur
• 1 tbsp orange zest - fine
• pinch salt
• 1 cup flour
• OPTIONAL  = 1 cup nuts or choc chips or half of each to total 1 cup

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Oil and line 8 inch square pan with parchment paper.

Step 1: In a large bowl melt chopped chocolate in microwave or on top of stove in bowl over lightly simmering water. I microwave in 20 second increments and stir until melted. It took 4  x 20 second increments to melt all the chocolate. It will still have some lumps after the last 20 seconds, but if you stir it for 1 minute it will all dissolve.

Step 2: add olive oil and whisk to combine. Add sugar and honey and whisk again. Add eggs and whisk.

Step 3: Add vanilla, Amaretto, orange zest, orange juice and pinch of salt and whisk.

Step 4: Add flour and stir until just incorporated. Pour in pan and sprinkle nuts and chips on top if you are adding them.

Step 5: bake exactly 30 minutes at 350 degrees F. Remove and let cool. Lift with the parchment paper and slice.

Brownies are the easiest thing to bake and normally the only way you can mess them up is by leaving them in the oven too long.