This recipe is from Serena Wolf's brand new book, The Dude Diet!

I've really been on a "dude diet" my entire adult life, starting around age 17. Wait, sorry this post is already going in the wrong direction - let's start over.

OK OK OK for real this time. To me, being a "dude" is less about gender and more about an attitude towards life. Dudes are chill, but not in a cocky shut-off-emotionally kind of way, just in a truly relaxed flexible state of existence. They approach life with an open mind and are usually just looking for a good time. Whether you're a guy dude or a lady dude or a gender non-conforming dude, you probably prefer all things in life to be simple, but satisfying. As far as character tropes go, I'm not so much a "dude" as I am the type-A gay best friend who's still kind of annoyed that you didn't tell me you were bringing your OTHER bff Martha to breakfast because if I'd known that I would've brought MY other best friend who I've been wanting you to meet for a while because I think you guys would really click. And I really think we should've gone to Spork & Spoon instead of Glass & Table because Spork & Spoon has a WAY better brunch sangria.

But Matt's a total dude and has taught me a thing or six about chilling the F out. Literally whenever we brainstorm recipes, Matt has three go-to's: some type of pizza, some type of taco, some type of elaborate epic sandwich. Not to say he doesn't enjoy, make, or come up with some really great stuff outside of those categories, I just really think he's got a real passion for simple and delicious things. He is the only person I've ever seen flamboyantly snap to praise a hot dog.

So this book - The Dude Diet - is great whether you're the dude or you're cooking for a dude. It's got a huge repertoire of relatively uncomplicated delicious foods that are kind of like stoner food but more refined and made with relatively whole ingredients so you can live your dude reality while not feeling like shit. Serena's writing is hysterical and she's about as sassy and snappy as we are so you know I'm feeling it.

We chose to make Chocolate "Brookies" because 1.) chocolate and 2.) the name is fun to say. They're basically walnut chocolate chip brownies in full drag as cookies and they are killing it, honey. Chewy and dense and not too sweet, I've never found a cookie that more appropriately fits my personality and I'm obsessed. We made a big pile of them with the intention of giving them to our friends but then we realized we don't really have any of those and they're too good to share anyway so we took turns plunging them into almond milk and then took the few that remained and crumbled them in strawberry ice cream because we're what? Sickening. That's a good thing.

Anyhow, you can check out the recipe below or order your own copy of The Dude Diet if you wanna eat all the delicious things! Happy Halloween weekend, cuties!

Nutty Chocolate Brookies from The Dude Diet

makes one dozen

1/3 cup unsweetened 100% cocoa-powder (not Dutch-process)
1/2 cup pure cane sugar
3 tablespoons liquid extra-virgin coconut oil
1 tablespoon water
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 large egg
1/4 cup whole-wheat flour
1/4 teaspoon fine-grain sea salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup dark chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, combine the cocoa powder, sugar, coconut oil, water, and vanilla. Add the egg and stir vigorously until the batter becomes smooth and shiny.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking soda. Add this mixture to the cocoa mixture and stir just until incorporated. Fold in the walnuts and chocolate chips, making sure everything is well combined.
Scoop heaping tablespoons of the dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each one. You'll have enough for 12 brookies. Serena recommends rubbing your tablespoon measure with coconut oil to make the scooping and plopping process easier / less messy. Use damp fingers to round out the edges of your brookie batter scoops.
Bake for 11 minutes, or until the brookies are just set. Let cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes - and don't touch them before the 10 minutes is up cause they're v soft and need that time to firm up! Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Eat every single one.

Also, if you or the dude(s) you're making these for has a nut allergy, you can obvi leave that shit out or substitute 1 cup or crispy rice puffs!

Nutty Chocolate Brookies!