You & Your Friends Will Love These Gluten-Free Cacao Brownies

mbg Food Contributor By Molly Patrick

September 3, 2014

Brownies should be a natural part of life. With this recipe, they can be.

When you think of black beans, it’s likely that the image of chocolate-y rich brownies doesn't come to mind. Well, set aside your reservations, because these are delicious, easy and yummy. Test these on your friends; I guarantee they won’t be able to tell that beans are the secret ingredient.

Gluten-Free Cacao Brownies

Serves 4-6

Ingredients

1 banana
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 cup maple syrup (60ml) or more if you want them a little sweeter
2 cups canned black beans, rinsed and drained (340g)
1/2 cup cacao powder (40g)
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup almonds, chopped (75g)
1/2 cup shredded coconut (25g)
1 Tbsp chia seeds (12g)

Method

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
Place the banana, vanilla and maple syrup in the food processor and process until smooth.
Add the black beans, cacao powder and salt and process until totally smooth, about a minute or two.
Pour mixture into a mixing bowl and place the almonds and coconut in the food processor (don’t worry about washing the food processor)
Process the almond and coconut until the almonds are chopped up to your liking.
Add this to the mixing bowl, along with the chia seeds and stir until everything is incorporated.
Drizzle a tiny bit of oil in a 8 x 11 (20.3 cm x 28 cm) pan and then wipe the excess off with a cloth or paper towel, and pour in the brownie mixture.
Bake for 35 minutes.

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