BLACK BEAN BROWNIES!?

I love chocolate. And I love black beans. But black beans brownies? I'll admit, I was skeptical. However, I'm an open-minded person and an adventurous eater...and it's cold outside. So I decided to stay indoors and bake brownies. But brownies with an unexpected ingredient...black beans!

These are surprisingly good and pretty easy to make. But one thing to know beforehand will make preparation smoother. The mixture is very thick, and needs to be blended well. Therefore, I don't recommend mixing by hand. I don't have a food processor, so I used a hand mixer. 

If you're craving a chocolate treat with a healthy twist, try these black bean brownies! My husband likes them, and he usually turns his nose up to anything healthy.

BLACK BEAN BROWNIES

Makes 12

INGREDIENTS 

1 - 15 oz. can black beans (rinsed well)

4 TBLS cocoa powder

½ cup quick oats

¼ tsp salt

⅓ cup maple syrup or honey

2 TBLS coconut sugar (or Swerve)

¼ cup coconut oil (melted)

2 tsp vanilla extract

½ tsp baking powder

½ cup stevia-sweetened chocolate chips

¼ cup chopped walnuts (optional)

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350⁰

Lightly grease an 8" x 8" baking dish with coconut oil

Combine all ingredients, except chocolate chips and walnuts in a food processor or with a hand mixer until smooth

Gently stir in chocolate chips and walnuts and pour batter into the baking dish

Bake for 30 - 35 minutes

Cool for 10 - 15 minutes before cutting and serving

Enjoy!