Better-for-You Brownies

Ingredients

 * ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
 * ½ cup pitted chopped dates
 * 1 tsp instant coffee granules
 * ½ cup boiling water
 * ⅓ cup walnut halves
 * ⅔ cup all-purpose flour
 * ½ tsp baking powder
 * ¼ tsp salt
 * 1 large egg
 * 1 large egg white
 * 1 cup + 1 tbsp sugar
 * 2 tbsp vegetable oil
 * 1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions

 * 1) Preheat oven to 350°F.
 * 2) Coat 9-inch square baking pan with cooking spray.
 * 3) In medium bowl, combine cocoa, dates and coffee.
 * 4) Add boiling water and stir until cocoa has dissolved.
 * 5) Let stand until completely cool, about 10 minutes.
 * 6) Meanwhile, spread walnuts in shallow baking pan and bake until lightly toasted and fragrant, 4 to 6 minutes.
 * 7) Set aside to cool.
 * 8) Keep oven on.
 * 9) In food processor, combine flour, baking powder, salt and toasted walnuts; process until walnuts are ground.
 * 10) Transfer mixture to large bowl and set aside.
 * 11) With rubber spatula, scrape cooled cocoa mixture into food processor.
 * 12) Add egg, egg white, 1 cup sugar, oil and vanilla and process until smooth, stopping once or twice to scrape down sides of work bowl.
 * 13) Add to reserved flour mixture and stir just until dry ingredients are moistened.
 * 14) Pour batter into prepared baking pan, spreading evenly.
 * 15) Sprinkle with remaining 1 tablespoon sugar.
 * 16) Bake until brownies are firm around edges and just set in center, 25 to 30 minutes.
 * 17) Transfer pan to wire rack and cool completely.
 * 18) To serve, coat sharp knife with cooking spray and cut into 16 squares.