A cancer diagnosis can often prompt you to rethink your diet and lifestyle, but it doesn’t mean giving up on the joy of a sweet treat. Finding a balance between comfort and nutrition can be empowering, especially when you’re fuelling your body with ingredients that promote wellness.

Enter healthy sweet potato brownies – a deliciously fudge-like dessert that proves you can satisfy your sweet tooth without sacrificing health-conscious choices. Packed with the natural sweetness of dates, sweet potatoes and a host of nutrients, these sugar-free brownies offer a guilt-free indulgence. They’re rich in fibre, vitamins, and antioxidants, making them a thoughtful choice for anyone seeking to nourish their body, especially during or after cancer treatment.

We’ve discovered a healthy Sweet Potato Brownies recipe and below we’ll show you how to whip up this wholesome treat… because treating yourself should always be part of the journey – no matter where you are on it.

Ingredients (Makes 10–12 brownies):

For the brownies:

• 2 medium-large sweet potatoes (about 10 ounces each)
• 12 Medjool dates, pitted
• 6 tbsp pure maple syrup
• 3.5 oz (100g) of ground almonds
• 2 tbsp of melted coconut oil
• Pinch of salt
• 3.5 oz (100g) of ground oats
• 6 tbsp of raw cacao powder

For the icing:

• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• 2 tbsp of almond butter
• 1 tbsp of maple syrup
• 2 tbsp cacao powder

Method:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 350°F (180°C), then peel the sweet potatoes. Cut them into chunks and place into a steamer for about 20 minutes, until they become really soft. 
2. Once they are perfectly soft and beginning to fall apart, remove them and add them to a food processor with the pitted dates.
3. Put the remaining ingredients into a bowl and mix in the sweet potato date combination. Stir well. 
4. Place into a lined baking dish and cook for about 45-50 minutes, until you can pierce the brownie with a fork and bring it out dry. Remove the tray and allow it to cool for about 10 minutes – this is really important as it needs this time to stick together! 
5. While the brownies are cooking make the icing by simply melting all the ingredients together and stirring well, then place in the freezer for 15 minutes and then the fridge for 15 to firm up a bit. 
6. Remove the brownies from the tray and leave to cool completely before icing otherwise your icing will melt! Spread the icing on top, cut into squares, dig in and enjoy!

We hope you enjoy baking and tasting your healthy sweet potato brownies!

For further nutritional guidance, support and healthy eating advice, take a look at our Events page to view and book onto any of our upcoming wellbeing workshops.