Decadent (and Healthy) Chocolate Brownies {recipe}

Decadent… AND healthy?! Yup, you read that correctly!

These brownies are sure to be a crowd favorite and no one will ever guess the secret ingredient… black beans. Seriously. Don’t knock it until you try it.

And, in keeping with all my other recipes, they are super easy to make with minimal ingredients.

I’m sharing two versions with you. The first is the more decadent version. The second is a protein version, which is healthier than the first, but also not as sweet (1g of sugar compared to 11g sugar per brownie). However, it’s still very good and is the version I make most often.

Decadent (but healthy) Chocolate Black Bean Brownies

Ingredients:
– 1 can (19 oz, 540 mL) black beans, rinsed
– 2 Tbsp cocoa powder
– 1/2 cup rolled (or quick) oats
– 1/4 tsp salt
– 1/2 tsp baking powder
– 2 tsp vanilla extract
– 1/4 cup maple syrup
– 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
– 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350.
Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth.
Pour mixture into baking pan. Optional: add a few chocolate chips on the top.
Bake for 25 minutes.
Remove from oven and let sit for 15 minutes before cutting.

Makes 12. Nutritional Info (per brownie): 124 cal, 3g protein, 21g carb (3g fiber, 11g sugar), 3g fat

Protein Chocolate Black Bean Brownies

Ingredients:
– 1 can (19 oz, 540 mL) black beans, rinsed
– 2 scoops chocolate protein powder
– 1/3 cup cocoa powder
– 1/2 cup rolled (or quick) oats
– 1/4 tsp salt
– 1/2 tsp baking powder
– 2 tsp vanilla extract
– 2/3 cup unsweetened applesauce

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350.
Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth.
Pour mixture into baking pan. Optional: add a few chocolate chips on the top.
Bake for 25 minutes.
Remove from oven and let sit for 15 minutes before cutting.

Makes 12. Nutritional Info (per brownie): 80 cal, 7g protein, 11g carb (3g fiber, 1g sugar), 1g fat

Enjoy!