I’ve never been big on Valentine’s Day. To me, romance is being thoughtful and considerate every day – in fact, the big gestures make me cringe (when OH proposed a few years ago my immediate response was: ‘What are you doing? Get up!’)
But I must admit I’ve softened to the concept in recent years.
The lowdown is this: we’re not actually married *shock, horror* so we don’t have a wedding anniversary to celebrate, and neither of us can remember when, exactly, we got together (I want to say July..? Maybe August..?). After 15 years and two children together, I think it’s nice – important even – to mark the fact we’ve made it this far.
We’ve created our own Valentine’s Day tradition by making it a family day; we’ll go for a walk at one of the gorgeous National Trust properties nearby, then stop off for a pub lunch. Once the girls are in bed OH and I will cook up a nice bit of rib-eye steak, and watch a movie. Perfect!
I’m never going to be a soft music and heart-shaped balloons kinda girl, but do like to show I’ve put some thought into it, so this year the girls and I decided to make Daddy some guilt-free Valentine’s Day avocado chocolate brownies.
We’re making a concerted effort to cut down on sugar, so I found this healthy brownie recipe online, which substitutes nasty refined sugar for apple sauce and maple syrup. Instead of butter or fat it uses avocado to give soft creaminess.
The girls and I headed to the local supermarket to pick up all the ingredients we needed.
The girls love helping out in the kitchen, so couldn’t wait to get home and put on their aprons. While I weighed out all the ingredients Big Sis took charge of blending the avocado and Lil Sis went wild with the whisk.
Once all the ingredients were mixed together, I popped the avocado chocolat brownie tray in the oven for 25 minutes. The most delicious smell began to fill the house. ‘Muu-umm,’ the girls asked every five minutes, ‘when will they be ready..?’
I pulled them out and let them cool down, before cutting a bit off for the all-important taste test.
‘What do you think?’ I asked the girls. They chewed silently for a second, then both gave me the thumbs up. ‘Delicious!’ they declared.
We gave the avocado chocolate brownies a dusting of icing sugar, and cut them into small squares.
Next, we wrapped them in cellophane, and tied them with heart ribbon. Finally, I got Big Sis to write a little message onto a blank gift tag, and attached it to the brownie bundle with a twist of florist wire.
What do you think of Daddy’s guilt-free Valentine’s Day treats?
NEXT READ: Handmade With Love – Mother’s Day Gifts
oh now I love the thought of guilt free
I know, right? Means you can eat a lot more too… 😉 x
These are such a great idea; I love that they’re guilt free! xxx
It looks like you had a great time baking together!!
Oh i’d be super interested to see the recipe of how you made these, guilt free and brownie are two phrases/ words I never thought would go together x
We are big in to Velentine’s day in our house. We have been together for 15 years, but any excuse to show each other how much you love each other should be taken I think.
I’m not married but we do our anniversary based on the first time we had sex – sexiversary!
Looks like you had a lovely time baking together.
And Guilt-Free, surely that means you can eat even more?!
That is such a lovely thoughtful guft. The fact that it’s guilt free is a bon7s. I just love the home made gift idea.
I love that your brownies are gluten free! You just gave me a wonderful Valentines gift idea for my daughter’s class 😀
These look very moorish, and a lovely idea for Valentines. It’s always nicer to receive home-made gifts, as it shows the love and hard work put into them. Tx
These look so yummy and knowing they are not packed with sugar makes me want them even more! Also wow to 15 years of marriage xx
What a lovely thoughtful gift. I love that they are gluten free and perfect for Valentine day!
Home made gifts are a great idea. Love them.
Oh wow these sound amazing and I am definitely all for trying some yum. x
Oh my goodness, these look absolutely delicious. I hope you had fun making them
guilt free brownies… what could be better?! They look delicous
Mmm these look delicious! Me and the fiance will probably have a date night if we can afford it. If not then we will go for a nice walk x
These look super yummy, what a fabulous gift x
Baking will always be perfect for a bonding. I wish I could taste your brownies. Looks special! 🙂
I’m intrigued by the use of avacodo as a butter substitute. I’ll be checking out this recipe and having a go.
Aw that tag is s oadorable. how fab having guilt free brownies!
These look yummy. We don’t really celebrate Valentines Day has my husband has to always work that day, has he works in a restaurant
Mmmm these sound yummy. Do you get a taste of apple in there from the applesauce?
I love that they helped out. That makes the treats all the more special. They look so deliciously cocoa-ish too!
This sounds nice, love the touch of avocado!