Black Bean Brownies

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups black beans (1 15-oz can, drained and rinsed very well) (250g after draining)
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder (10g)
• 1/2 cup quick oats (40g)
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/3 cup pure maple syrup, honey, or agave (75g)
• pinch uncut stevia OR 2 tbsp sugar (or omit and increase maple syrup to 1/2 cup)
• 1/4 cup coconut/vegetable oil OR peanut butter (40g)
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 cup to 2/3 cup chocolate chips (Not optional. Omit at your own risk)
• optional: more chips, for presentation

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 F. Combine all ingredients except chips in a good food processor, and blend until completely smooth. Really blend well. (A blender can work if you absolutely must, but the texture-and even the taste-will be much better in a food processor.) Stir in the chips, then pour into a greased 8×8 pan. Optional: sprinkle extra chocolate chips over the top. Cook the black bean brownies 15-18 minutes, then let cool at least 10 minutes before trying to cut. If they still look a bit undercooked, you can place them in the fridge overnight and they will magically firm up! Makes 9-12 brownies. If you make this recipe, don't forget to leave a review! The trick with these: serve them first, and then reveal the secret ingredient. In all the times I've served bean desserts, not one single person who didn't know beforehand has ever guessed!