This hibiscus brownies recipe is a fusion of the West African Street Drink ‘Zobo’. The Hibiscus flower is a very pretty flower, but it is also known to have a tart flavour. Hibiscus is known for being made into teas and also mixed in with other foods. Hibiscus has been around for generations. Today, we hear about claims made on behalf of the Hibiscus and how it is beneficial for our health. That is why so many are making teas and such. Some of these benefits that are only claimed, as of now, include helping to lower blood pressure, Some even claim that in scientific studies, the hibiscus flower can help induce labor.
A popular drink from dried hibiscus in West Africa is called ‘Zobo’. Zobo is one of the most popular marketable drinks made from Hibiscus. Besides Zobo, nothing much has really been done with the beautiful flower. So the motivation for these set of hibiscus recipes are from the need to create a catalog of everyday cooking using this lovely gift of nature. Hibiscus has a long history for many cultures throughout the generations. Mostly as representations of the Goddesses of old. Hibiscus is prominent in Hindu worship. In the Philippines, when used with a hollowed papaya stem, children will mash the hibiscus into a pulp and when mixed with soaps, the result is many more bubbles being blown through the papaya straw. Throughout history, hibiscus has shown its own importance, now it is time to fully put the beneficial plant to use.
The tangy flavor is perfect when mixed with dark chocolate and sweeteners. Well, this dessert, I promise you, is one of the best I have ever tasted. Once the brownies have cooled completely, you can make a quick ganache or chocolate glaze to smooth out over the brownies. They can then be cut into serving size squares and placed on a serving plate. You can surprise your friends by telling them the ingredients later. They will likely think that you bought those yummy bites of deliciousness from a specialty store. Then you share the recipe and let them know how easy it is to make these.
Questions of safety around ingesting hibiscus usually come up. Of course, I do not recommend chewing the actual flower. There is a specific moderation of Hibiscus that is considered safe and most regulated products containing hibiscus have been cleared as safe for consumption.
Hibiscus Brownies Recipe
Hibiscus (West African Zobo) Brownies
🥢 Equipment
- 9 Inch Square Baking Tray
🍜 Ingredients
- 1 Cup Hibiscus Powder
- 1/2 Cup Olive Oil Extra Virgin
- 60 Grams Butter
- 4 Large Eggs
- 1/2 Cup Sugar Syrup
- 1/2 Cup Malt Extract
- 1 Cup Light Brown Sugar
- 1 Cup Almond/White Flour
- 100 Grams Dark Chocolate
🍰 Instructions
- In a medium sized saucepan, melt the butter, then add the oil the dark chocolate or cocoa powder, Light syrup, malt extract and sugar until all blended.
- Remove from the heat and allow to cool for 2 minutes
- Add the eggs one at a time ad mix quickly after each one so as not to scramble the eggs. Don't Cook the eggs. Mix Quickly!!!!
- Add in Hibiscus and Almond flour or White Flour
- Stir Properly
- Lightly Spray the baking tin and pour batter into tin
- Bake at 150C for about 30 minutes
- Once a skewer comes out dry, leave to rest and cool until just warm
