Tasty Tuesday: Black Bean Brownies

By: Pen-Pal Productions on 10:00 AM

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

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Mama Bear Monday: Toddler Cookies

By: Pen-Pal Productions on 10:00 AM

I am obsessed with these cookies.  Not only are they quick and ridiculously easy, they're tasty!  Cleanup is a breeze, and it's simple enough for a toddler to "help".  They make great snacks and are especially awesome on the go.  There are endless possibilities for add-ons (nuts, fruit, chocolate chips, etc.) and they're pretty allergy-friendly with their short list of ingredients.  Best of all, they're actually healthy.

Toddler Cookies
1 cup rolled oats (I use Red Mills Gluten Free)
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp sea salt
2 ripe, mashed bananas*
1/4 cup walnuts, pecans, sliced almonds.. whatever!
1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips or dried fruit (I used cranberries)

Combine oats, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl. Mix in the remaining ingredients. Drop heaping tablespoon onto a lightly greased cookie sheet. Press down to flatten. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes or until done! 

*Bananas can be replaced with 1 cup no sugar added applesauce.  I've made both and while I prefer the taste of the banana version, both are worth trying.  It's also delicious to use 1 banana and 1/4 cup applesauce. Go ahead, pick and choose! You cannot mess this recipe up.



-Jenn 

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