Black Bean Brownies

These have quickly become one of my kids favorite treats. The first time I made them I didn't tell them the main ingredient until after they'd tried them and begged for seconds. Since then, it's become our little secret. They ask me to make them for their friends and marvel with them after they are also hooked. My tip? Make them and don't tell them what these babies are made with until after they're asking for seconds. :)

Thanks to one of my favorite healthy dessert sites, Chocolate Covered Katie, for this one!

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups black beans (1 15-oz can, drained and rinsed very well)
2 Tbsp cocoa powder 
1/2 c. quick oats 
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 cup pure maple syrup or agave 
pinch stevia OR 2 tbsp sugar (or cut it and increase the maple syrup to 1/2 cup)
1/4 c. coconut or vegetable oil 
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 c. chocolate chips

Directions


1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 9x9 pan with cooking spray.


2. Add all ingredients except chocolate chips into a Cuisinart or blender. Blend until smooth. (The Cuisinart works better to get it smooth but the blender will do if that's what you have on hand.)

3. Stir in the mini chocolate chips by hand and pour into the baking pan. If you're feeling chocolatey, feel free to add a few more chocolate chips to the top before baking (there's no such thing as too much chocolate, right?) 

4. Bake for 15-18 min. Try your best to allow it to cool/set for 10 minutes after before eating. They will be soft to cut. You can let them cool and harden up in the refrigerator overnight if they make it that long. If you're anything like us and can't possibly wait the 10 minutes, dig in with a fork and enjoy the deliciously melty warm chocolate.