Tasty Tuesday: Black Bean Brownies

Okay, okay, I know.  Brownies made out of black beans sound weird and disgusting.  But bear with me, these are fantastic.  I'm always on a mission to make something that I love, that is horribly unhealthy, and make it into something healthier, that I can (at least somewhat) guiltlessly indulge in.  This recipe is one of those things.  It turns a chocolate craving into something with at least some form of real sustenance.  Plus, they're egg and gluten free.  They look, taste, smell, and feel like real brownies, so really, what is there to lose?  Give 'em a try!

Ingredients:
2 15oz cans black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup sugar
1 1/3 cup applesauce
1 1/2 cup oatmeal flour (just grind up 2 cups oatmeal in a blender)
1/2 cup cocoa
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 12oz package semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Lightly grease a 9x13in baking pan.

Puree black beans in a blender.  Add water and 1/3 cup applesauce, as needed, until smoothy-like consistency.

Combine black bean mixture, sugar, and remaining applesauce in a large mixing bowl.  Mix until well combined.

Add oatmeal flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.  Mix until smooth.

Stur in chocolate chips.

Pour batter into prepared pan.  You can lick the batter with no guilt since there's no eggs :)

Bake for 25-35 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.


-Jenn