Black Bean Brownies

Here's a great recipe to help crunch my chocolate cravings and increase my daily protein intake! On my quest to use up my pantry items I decided that the multiple cans of black beans did not need to take a trek across to the east coast with me, so in that case I had to think of something to make. I've made black bean brownies in the past, but haven't been in love with the previous recipes. Sometimes they ended up packed with sugar or had an off taste that I couldn't put my finger to. However, this black bean brownie recipe was perfect! The only substitutes I think I might make in the future would be decreasing the amount of sugar, or swapping it with maple syrup. I know you are thinking black beans?! That must be disgusting! But surprise! You cannot taste the beans just some yummy chocolate goodness. 

Ingredients:

1 (15oz) can of black beans, drained and rinsed

3 large eggs

3 tbps coconut oil, melted at room temperature

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp baking powder

Pinch of salt

1 cup dark chocolate chips, divided

Directions:

1) Preheat oven to 350F. Grease and 8x8 baking pan.
2) Food process the black beans until smooth. Add the rest of the ingredients, minus the chocolate chips and process again until combined. Mix 1/2 cup of the chocolate chips and pulse a few times.
3) Pour the batter into the pan, sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of chocolate chips.
4) Bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Cool in the pan, then slice into squares.

Adapted from: Made in Mels Kitchen