Here we go again. A little over a year after the frenzied buildup to the somewhat overblown threat of Hurricane Irene, New York is now under siege by Sandy, the latest in strange weather-related phenomena striking the city with alarming regularity that I’ve never seen before. Hurricanes? Tornadoes? That crazy earthquake last year? I’m not a paranoid person, but December 2012 is around the corner….
Crazy conspiracies aside, I do acknowledge that precautions are necessary and I should be taking this storm seriously. Note that I said should. Luckily I live in Zone C which on the crazily colored evacuation map drawn up by our local government means that I’m not in danger of flooding. I do live about 2 blocks away from Zone A which is in the most danger for storm surges, so I’m relying on our leaders who’ve decided that the 2 block distance will protect me from the worst of the storm. That and the fact that I live on the 19th floor in a high-rise building made of brick, steel, and cement.
Since I’m not in immediate risk of being thrown out of my apartment by the powers that be for a mandatory evacuation, I decided to do the next best thing. Check my flashlights and batteries? No. Run to the supermarket and pick up almond milk and eggs after standing in line for over an hour to pay for my purchases? Heck no. I’m baking, obviously.
Without further ado, I present to you this hastily thrown together mish mash of what’s in my pantry, otherwise known as the MOST AWESOME flourless brownies of all time! And they’re paleo and gluten free!
ALMOND BUTTER PUMPKIN COCONUT BROWNIES
The original recipe can be found on  This Primal Life which features a crazy simple 5-ingredient list, but I decided to jazz it up with some fun extras.
Here’s my ingredient list:
- 1 cup unsweetened almond butter
- ¾ cup mashed pumpkin
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup real maple syrup
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/3 cup chopped pecans
- 2 tbsp unsweetened shredded coconut
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¾ tsp ground cinnamon
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl. Grease an 8in x 8in metal pan with coconut oil. Pour the batter into the greased pan and place in the oven. Allow it to bake for about 25 minutes. And that’s it! Done!
I figure if the power goes out and I’m left eating whatever is leftover in the fridge, then at least I have some brownies to look forward to. Plus, they’re packable. Take that Sandy! đŸ™‚
Food4ThoughtNYC 
This looks so scrumptious! I love the maple syrup, pecans, and coconut! And I love your positive attitude!
I watched the weather channel today and saw Jim Cantore in Battery Park. Battery Park is one of my favorites places. That made me really think about this storm and how eerie it is. NYC has a continuing heart and soul that will handle anything!
My thoughts are with you and your loved ones. Please be safe : )
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Thank you Judy! We’ve hunkered down here with enough supplies to get through armageddon, lol. The brownies are a nice little bonus. Just wish I had some coconut ice cream to go with….
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Ugh, we baked everything but dessert today : ( We are stuck indoors until at least Tuesday and our office buildings are shut.. over night me some brownies will ya?
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lol if I can find a mailman brave enough to make the trip, you’ve got it!
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I have been away from home since Friday and typing on my iPhone is a disaster so I wanted to reply when I got home. This is nuts this storm that NYC is supposed to get. I hope that you will not be affected! I love the way you aren’t going crazy over it though and decided to bake these yummy brownies. I have to make these for sure. I have been cutting carbs from my evening and afternoon meals (not fun) and decided to be sugar free until my b-day (good luck to me with Halloween) Anyway I hope that you are safe and so is your family! Take care Maribel!
xo Eva
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I know! It’s weird because I feel like they make a big fuss when these storms happen and being a somewhat cynical NYer it’s hard to take it so seriously. But it seems like it’s the wind that’s really going to knock things about, and not so much in Manhattan, but in the other boroughs where they’ll see lots of tree damage. I’ve got plenty of brownies and produce to ride this out!! đŸ™‚ Good luck with the carb and sugar free. It’ll get easier with a bit of time. I’ve cut all refined sugar and the only processed carbs I eat is what’s left of my Kashi cereal. But days like today make me want to toast a couple slices of bread or make a bowl of pasta. Sigh. And when’s your birthday?? That’s exciting! Thanks for checking in Eva. Hope you had a great weekend. đŸ™‚
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I am the same way as a city dweller. I am very cynical when they call for storms or some other major disaster in Toronto. I am like “this never happens here” scare tactics to drive people crazy is all! My daughter is in the reserves of the Canadian Military and she was briefed on the storm and the damage it has caused far away from us in remote places in Canada. I am still not going to go crazy over any of this. On the diet note, being sugar and carb free sucks! So I am having most of (if any carbs) during the day and nothing at night. Today and any given day, I can get a fresh crusty baguette, dip it fresh butter and eat that all day lol trust me! My b-day is on Nov 10 and we are going for my one of my fave foods, Indian. I also asked for a lemon tart versus my usual chocolate cake. i think Halloween night I will break all the damn rules (self imposed) and gluttonize on candy đŸ™‚ I hope you had a great weekend as well Maribel! Mine was spent relaxing and going to the gym. Have a great week ahead and hope NY is not doing too badly đŸ™‚
xo Éva
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These look fantastic! I am always looking for super simple Paleo/gluten free baked goods, and it’s refreshing to read a recipe that doesn’t include four different kinds of flour, xanthan gum, and other ingredients that I’d be hard-pressed to find. I hope they make weathering the storm a little more pleasant- take care!
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ha, I know what you mean! Nevermind how much all of that stuff costs! These brownies are super yummy so I highly recommend. If it were safe to go out and the markets were open, I’d get some coconut milk ice cream to go with. đŸ™‚
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I want to make these when my oven works again!
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