Chocolate Lovers Look No Further

Black Bean Brownies

Ingredients

3 lightly beaten eggs

2 cups black beans drained ( 1 can )

1/3 cup melted coconut oil

¾ cup cocoa powder

1/8 tsp salt

1 TBSP flax seed meal

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

¼ tsp orange rind (optional)

½ cup maple syrup or honey or agave nectar

½ cup chopped up bittersweet chocolate chips or semisweet

1/3 cup finely chopped walnuts or dried fruit such as cranberries (optional)

Directions:

 Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease an 8x8 pan. Add all ingredients minus the last two (chocolate chips and walnuts or dried fruit) into a food processor. Blend until smooth and shiny. Stir in the chips and nuts or dried fruit. Spread into the pan and bake for about 30 minutes until the knife inserted in the center comes out clean.  Chill for about 1 hour. Cut into squares and serve.
Note: When making for kids or those who prefer milk chocolate use a lighter cocoa powder.

Like many people I have a sweet tooth. I’m always searching for the best tasting sweet I can find. My priorities have changed over the years. As a kid I liked commercial chocolate, cookies, and cakes. As I got older, my tastes changed to fruity desserts and ice creams. These days, since I follow a holistic lifestyle, my passion is finding the healthiest desserts that satisfy my tastebuds. I have gone through numerous store bought protein bars, healthy cookies, and brownies, always to be left a bit unsatisfied. Most of the time if it tastes too good, than there is too much sugar, fat, or carbs for it to be healthy.

Before I really started reading labels, I was on a Luna bar kick for awhile. Then I traded up for Trader Joe’s sweet and sour granola bars. And finally, Greens bars, but it never felt like I was having a homemade treat. So what I have to share with you is one of  the best desserts I have come across. Brownies made out of  black beans. No flours in them just beans and flax seed meal and all whole ingredients. I like them cold out of the refrigerator with a nice cup of herbal tea.  So try them but don’t tell people they are healthy; you may end up very surprised to find something that tastes so decadent yet healthy at the same time.

Go to www.youtube.com and check out Healthy Cooking with Irene Maltzan if you like these recipes. Please send your email address at wellness.tree@yahoo.com to find out more about the Wellness Tree programs for healthy living.