Splenda Brownies and a Giveaway

On those days when you really want something to satisfy your sweet tooth, choose a delicious dessert option that also may help you get additional vitamins and nutrients. By swapping a portion of the sugar in this brownie recipe, I get fiber plus natural antioxidants from the dark chocolate. Thanks to SPLENDA ESSENTIALS No Calorie Sweetener with added Fiber, I get a two-for-one benefit of reduced calories from sugar and added boost of healthy fiber. 

Here is what you need for these brownies:
1 pound unsalted butter
1 pound plus 12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
6 ounces unsweetened chocolate
6 extra-large eggs
3 tablespoons instant coffee granules
2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/4 cup SPLENDA No Calorie Sweetener
1 cup Sugar
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups chopped walnuts

Start by buttering a 12x18x1 baking dish.

Dust with flour and tap out the excess.

Melt together the butter, 1 pound of chocolate chips, and the unsweetened chocolate in a medium bowl over simmering water.

This is just a few minutes into the melting process. It doesn't take very long. Once it is fully melted and combined, turn the heat off and/or remove the top bowl and allow the chocolate to cool slightly.

In a large bowl, add eggs and coffee granules.

Add vanilla. I was sad to use up the last of this Tahitian Vanilla brought back from Tahiti by my parents.

Add the sugars.

The SPLENDA No Calorie Sweetener is the nation's No. 1 selling no calorie sweetener. It is a delicious alternative to sugar that can contribute to a healthier lifestyle by helping reduce the intake of calories and carbohydrates that come with added sugar. SPLENDA Sweetener Products can be used almost anywhere sugar is used, and are suitable for the whole family.

 Stir the eggs, coffee, vanilla and sugars together.

Don't beat the mixture, just stir gently to incorporate all parts.

Once the chocolate has cooled a bit, we can now stir the warm chocolate into the egg mixture.

Once fully incorporated, allow this to come to room temperature.

In a medium bowl, sift together 1 cup of flour, the baking powder, and salt.

Add the sifted dry ingredients to the cooled chocolate mixture.

Stir. Fold. Stir. Fold.

I really like using this handy dandy chopper - it's loud and helps me get any frustrations from the day out.

Take the remaining 1/4 cup flour and toss the 3 cups of walnuts and 12 ounces of chocolate chips.

Tossing these little pieces in flour will help them stay distributed in the batter and not sink to the bottom.

Do the best you can and fold these into your thick chocolate batter.

It doesn't have to be perfect.

Pour into the baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes in a 350 degree oven and then rap/bounce the baking pan on the counter or oven shelf to force any air bubbles to escape from between the pan and the brownie dough. Bake for another 15-20 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool thoroughly and refrigerate. See Ina Garten's original Outrageous Brownie recipe here.

I was so excited to be among the first to sample the new products! Although Splenda compensated me for participation in this campaign, all thoughts and opinions are my own. Check out these other cool new products!

SPLENDA ESSENTIALS with B Vitamins has the same great taste of SPLENDA No Calorie Sweetener with the added benefit of 20 percent of the Daily Value of vitamins B1 (thiamin), B5 (pantothenic acid) and B6 (pyridoxine), per packet. The 80-count box of packets is now available at grocery stores, supermarkets and online for a suggested retail price of $4.29.

I start most my mornings with a double shot of espresso. When Jim and I went to Italy for our honeymoon we got into the habit of drinking a shot of espresso around 2 PM each day. We carried the tradition over when we returned home. Although Jim likes his espresso black, I add frothed milk and two splendas to my morning beverage.

I have been trying these new SPLENDA ESSENTIALS No Calorie Sweetener packets and they taste just like regular splenda. This product line aids in maintaining a healthy lifestyle by allowing me to experience sweetness without the added calories from sugar and by providing an added boost of essential vitamins and fiber.

I know it's important to meet my daily intake of key vitamins and nutrients, but it's not always easy. These small packets make it convenient for me to carry in my purse and can be used almost anywhere sugar is sprinkled - in my coffee or tea or on my cereal, greek yogurt, fruit or oatmeal.

Currently, when you visit the Splenda Brand Facebook page and click on the new ESSENTIALS tab, you can request a free sample of the new Splenda Essentials product and also share what’s "essential" to you. By doing so, you will be entered for a chance to win a travel mug with a $25 Dunkin’ Donuts gift card! Three lucky winners will be announced each day— but that’s not all. For every 10,000 sample requests received, the Splenda team will give away a $1,000 Visa gift card!

What could be sweeter than being rewarded for simply requesting a free sample and sharing your feedback?

It's apparently GIVEAWAY week here on Home with Mandy! I have a really great prize package, worth $75, that I'm going to send to one lucky HWM reader.

The Prize Package:

• One SPLENDA ESSENTIALS No Calorie Sweetener with B Vitamins
• One SPLENDA ESSENTIALS No Calorie Sweetener, 1 gram of Fiber packets
• One SPLENDA ESSENTIALS No Calorie Sweetener, 1 gram of Fiber granulated
• One SPLENDA ESSENTIALS No Calorie Sweetener to-go mug
• One Splenda-yellow blender
• Two Splenda-yellow bowls
• One Splenda-yellow fruit juicer

Enter the Giveaway
To enter the giveaway, leave a comment sharing one of your "essential" healthy living tips by midnight on Wednesday, September 14th and one reader will be chosen at random and announced on Thursday, September 15th.

Twitter Party
If you are available, join SPLENDA Sweetener Products and our panel of experts as we discuss healthy living tips that are essential to you. The party will be held on Tuesday, September 13, from 9-11pm ET.

• What: Girls’ Night Out (#gno) Twitter party
• When: Tuesday, September 13 from 9-11 p.m. EST
• Where: Party with us on our very own Custom Tweetgrid! (Use hashtags #gno and #Splenda)
• Topic: Healthy living tips that are essential to you
• Who: Community Panelists: @doughmesstic @DebMomOf3 @7onashoestring @HoosierHomemade @homewithmandy @SeeryusMama @simplybeingmom @RealMomKitchen @7clowncircus @aMusingFoodie , Moderators: @jylmomIF @Dadventurous @troypattee @MomItForward