First of all, I feel like I should confess that while I’m typing this post, I’m also watching National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. It’s just one of those Christmas movies that I have to watch every year along with A Christmas Story, Elf and The Grinch. I’m typically not a huge movie person but when it comes to Christmas movies, I could watch them all day.
Another thing that changes around the holidays.. My craving for sweets (which is already higher than the average person I’m pretty sure). I think it has something to do with all the Christmas cookies that get passed around. The other day I must have baked like a hundred cookies to give to neighbors and Nathan’s work. And I’m pretty sure I consumed a dozen of them myself.. Not to mention the cookie dough. Oh yea and I also made these mini eggnog cupcakes for an ugly Christmas sweater party.
They were awesome. So I guess it’s not that surprising that I crave so much sweet stuff when I’m baking it all the time. I love baking around the holidays though. I just need the amount of self control necessary to keep me from consuming what I bake. But that’s tough for someone who loves sweets so much!
If you’re like me and your sweet tooth gets a little larger this time of year then these black bean brownies are so for you. I have to be honest, I was skeptical of these at first. I mean brownies made out of black beans just sounds wierd. But boy was I wrong, these are so good. I think the black beans just give the brownies the right consistency since there’s no flour. You can’t even taste them and it adds a lot of extra protein which is a plus! Enjoy!
- 1 15 oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/3 cup raw turbinado sugar
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1/4 cup almond milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
- 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease an 8x8 inch baking dish.
- Put black beans, cocoa powder, sugar, coconut oil, milk, vanilla, baking powder and salt into a food processor and blend until smooth.
- Spread batter into baking dish.
- Heat up the peanut butter in a small bowl in the microwave for about 30 seconds.
- Pour the peanut butter on top of the brownie batter and use a toothpick or knife to swirl the peanut butter into the batter.
- Sprinkle the chocolate chips on top.
- Bake for 25 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
- Allow to cool completely before cutting