I absolutely love to make this simple-to-make, healthy, delicious dessert! I don't feel bad letting my kids eat seconds either! It is gluten-free and uses no refined sugars (that's always a plus in my book!).

Our family tends to eat a lot of black beans (bean tacos, in casseroles, in brownies, and just plain). In fact, Sprout #4 ate so many black beans as her first food (along with green beans!) she prefers beans over crackers or pancakes! So it was fitting to make a black-bean brownie 'bear' for her belated first birthday!

I really love this brownie recipe! It is one of those hidden gems in my opinion and you may never make regular brownies again! I make no claim to this being my recipe, I got it online from HERE. I have however made this recipe many times and each time it is gobbled up by my kids and husband!

Now, for the recipe!

In a blender or food processor blend all the following ingredients (except the chocolate chips) until it is as smooth as you can get it :

1 1/2 cups cooked black beans (you can cook your own, or use canned)

2 Tbsp Cocoa

1/2 cup quick oats

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 c. honey or maple syrup

1/4 c. vegetable, olive or coconut oil

2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2- 2/3 cup chocolate chips (if you omit, it will not be as chocolatey and brownie-like)

Stir in 1/2 cup chocolate chips and spread into a greased 8 inch square pan. Sprinkle some more chocolate chips on top if you want. It is great to have a helper at this point!

Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes.

Cool for 10 minutes or more then cut into squares. Gobble down!

Let me know if you try this recipe and how you like it!! Happy healthy eating!

Black Bean Brownies