Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly butter (or use cooking spray) bottom and sides of an 8-inch square pan. Next, line with parchment paper, leaving a 2" overhang on sides for lifting cooked brownies from pan. Using a double boiler or a heatproof bowl placed on top of a pot of simmering water, melt butter and chocolate pieces and stir until smooth. Remove from heat.

Step 2

Stream in sugar substitute while whisking until combined. Add in eggs, one at a time, whisking well after each addition until completely incorporated. The texture should now appear smooth. Whisk in cocoa, vanilla and salt. Gently fold in almond flour until combined. At this point you may add in ½ cup chopped pecans for 0.22 additional net carbs per brownie.

Step 3

Spread batter evenly into prepared pan. Bake 35 to 40 minutes on middle rack. 35 minutes was a perfect bake in our oven, but since individual ovens vary, you may want to test a few minutes earlier for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the brownies. If the toothpick is wet, return to oven. A perfect bake is when the toothpick retains a few moist crumbs. Do not over-bake as the brownies will continue to cook while they are cooling.

Step 4

Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Then place pan in refrigerator until chilled throughout (about 1 hour). Remove parchment before slicing into 9 squares. This cooling is necessary to produce clean edges when slicing keto baked goods.