Gooey Black Bean Brownies

I have to admit that these brownies are so good that I had one with vanilla coconut milk ice cream the other day for dinner.  It was so gooey and delicious!  To be completely honest I wanted to have seconds, but I didn’t.  Not because it would have been bad for me to have seconds.  I mean these brownies are super healthy for you.  Which you wouldn’t know it by the taste, because they are so chocolatey and super yummy.  The first time I gave one of my Gooey Black Bean Brownies to my hubby he had no idea it was made from black beans.  And, the first time I ate one I could hardly believe it myself as well.  

I have had other black bean brownies before and they weren’t very good.  I mean you could tell they were made from beans.  Don’t get me wrong I like beans, but, when you are expecting a brownie, you don’t want them to taste like beans, if you know what I mean.  Being a health minded person I want them to be healthy so I can truly enjoy them without any guilt.  So, I spent time researching and baking and in all honesty, I failed a few times.  Then, I finally found the magic combo of ingredients to make the gooey-est, yummy-est and most delicious healthy black bean brownies ever!

When you compare my Gooey Black Bean Brownies to vegan brownie recipes, mine are much healthier.  Vegan brownies have over 100 more calories, and over twice as much carbs per serving.  My Gooey Black Bean Brownies are higher in protein and fiber, which is important to keep you full and satisfied.  Plus, they are easy to make.  They pair perfectly warmed up with a scoop of coconut milk ice cream, all melty and chocolatey, yum!  So, let’s dig in!

Gooey Black Bean Brownies

Ingredients

• 15 oz can black beans
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 4 tbsp extra virgin coconut oil (or red palm or avocado oil) plus extra for coating baking dish
• 1/2 cup stevia
• 2 scoops or 1/2 cup Vanilla Shaklee Life Energizing Shake mix (or Chocolate flavor for really chocolatey brownies)
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (or cocoa nibs) (I used Enjoy Life, to make these dairy free, but you could use regular dark chocolate chips)
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp sea salt or pink himalayan salt
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 medium eggs
• 1/4 cup water

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Rinse and drain black beans, smash them in a medium size bowl, do not puree them.  Add cocoa powder and coconut oil, and mix.  Then add in the remaining ingredients and stir to blend.  In an 8 or 9 inch square baking dish, spray with oil and then pour the brownie batter into the dish.  Bake for 15 - 18 minutes or until the brownies are fully cooked, being careful to not overcook them either.  Let cool a few minutes.  Store extras in the refrigerator to preserve freshness.  *(In order for these to turn out delicious and gooey, please follow my recipe with the exact ingredients.  My mom sub. splenda for the stevia, canola oil for the coconut oil and they did not turn out like my yummy gooey brownies.)  Makes nine brownies / servings.  Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size Approx. 3 inch sq. piece

9 Servings per Recipe

Amount Per Serving
Calories 173
Total Fat 9.5g
	Trans Fat 0g
Total Carbohydrate 15g
	Dietary Fiber 4g
Protein 7.5g

Gluten and Dairy Free!

*Nutrition Facts will vary if you use different milk or protein mix.

**I always suggest using organic ingredients whenever possible.