Bless My Heart Brownies
Serves: 12
Every once in a while I get a huge craving for a brownie; a piece of pure chocolate decadence that can not be satisfied in any other way. Yes, I could run out to the store and buy one from the bakery or buy a box of ‘low fat’ brownie mix and throw that in the oven, or even grab a box of ‘healthy’ No Pudge brownie mix, but none of those are truly clean and healthy! So, what does a fit girl do? She makes her own! 
Our feature ‘Fit Ingredient’ today is Black Beans, which we used in this recipe! No, no….don’t run away! I promise you can’t taste them at all! But boy, do they give these brownies a soft fudge like texture! Beans are extremely healthful for a number of reasons: 1)They arefullof fiber, 2) They are a great source of protein, 3) Because of their dark color; they are full of antioxidants, 4) They are high in folate (B6) which is especially important for pregnant women, 5) They help regulate blood sugar. As you will see from this recipe, black beans (or any kind of bean) doesn’t have to be used solely in savory dishes! They can go far beyond what you think!
Fit Ingredients
- 15oz can black beans (or white beans) drained and rinsed (I used Eden Organic Salt Free)
- 1/3c (28g) chocolate whey protein (I used this one)
- 1/3c (30g) chocolate hemp protein (I used this one)
- 1/4c + 2 tbs (30g) cocoa powder
- 3/4 c granular sweetener of choice (stevia, etc)
- 2 tbs (13g) ground flax
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp chocolate extract, optional but gives an extra deep chocolatey flavor!
- 20 drops liquid stevia
- 1/2 c (113g) unsweetened applesauce
- 1/3c coconut milk
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- 8in baking pan
- non stick spray
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Directions
Preheat your oven to 340 degrees. Spray your baking pan with non stick spray. In a blender (or food processor), add your rinsed and drained beans, applesauce and coconut milk. Blend well. Then add in your egg, vanilla extract, chocolate extract and liquid stevia. Blend again. In a mixing bowl, combine all of your dry ingredients: whey protein, hemp protein, granular sweetener, flax and baking powder and mix. Add your bean mixture to your dry ingredients. Mix just enough to get everything full incorporated. Pour your batter into the baking dish and bake for 22-24 minutes or until tooth pick comes out clean. Let the brownies cool and then cut into 12 squares.
These brownies came out so moist and fudge like! The had an extremely rich, chocolate flavor that, when paired with a glass of coconut milk, was just what I needed to satisfy my brownie craving!
Brownies and Coconut Milk…Mmmmmmmm 🙂
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Nutrition: (1/12)
Calories: 72.g, Protein: 5.4g, Carbs: 10.2g, Fat: 1.6g (1g Saturated), Sodium: 16mg, Fiber: 3g (Net Carbs: 7.2g)
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