Rocky Road Brownies

I have somewhat vague memories of eating rocky road chocolate cake about twenty years ago, as far as I can recall I've never done anything 'rocky road' from then till now. I doubt very much if brownies had reached these shores at that time, if they had, I certainly hadn't heard of them!

I was thinking of making some cookies for myself and my gluten-free son this week-end. He is always trying to get me make GF cookies since I let him sample the Flourless peanut butter cookies which I jazzed up a few months ago. Then I came across this recipe from Carol Fenster, cookies became brownies, which I have only adapted sligtly by using a healthier oil (sunflower oil which is heart-healthy). I was sold before I even started gathering the ingredients together. I love brownies as does my son and anything of the 'rocky road' ilk is fine by me!



1 1/4 cups gluten free flour blend
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch process)
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp xanthium gum
1/4 cup sunflower oil (this is far healthier than using butter or margerine)
1/2 cup vanilla sugar
1/2 cup brown castor sugar
1 large egg
1/4 cup warm water or coffee
1/2 cup GF chocolate cups
1/2 cup mini marshmallows
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup cranberries

Preheat oven to 350 degrees - Line the bottom of an 8" square tin with cooking parchment
In a mixer bowl, stir together flours, cocoa, baking powder, salt and xanthium gum and set aside
In a large mixer bowl, beat together sunflower oil, sugars and egg with an electric mixer on medium speed, untill well combined
With mixer on low speed, add dry ingredients. Mix untill well blended, add warm water or cofee and mix untill thoroughly combined. Stir in chocolate chips, nuts marshmallows and cranberries
Spread the batter into the prepared tin and bake for 35 minutes
Cool before cutting

Impress your son with Gluten Free Rocky Road Brownies :)