Honestly, is there any situation where a brownie wouldn’t make the moment that much sweeter?

Think about it….brownies are the perfect dessert for any occasion but as much as I love this sweet treat, I definitely don’t want to eat one loaded with refined sugar, flour and fat.

Finding a way to make a healthier version of this classic recipe may not seem possible but it’s easier than you think.  You just need to get a little creative.

Now I’ll be the first to admit you’d be hard pressed to find a brownie recipe that’s as healthy as a plate of vegetables, but who said you can’t put vegetables in your brownies?

Over the years, I’ve discovered some incredible brownie recipes that swap out traditional ingredients with vegetables like zucchini and sweet potatoes and they were good, but I have to say, when I tasted my first Black Bean Brownie, it was love at first bite!

Now if you’re at all skeptical about putting beans in a brownie recipe, I get it, but I promise your brownies will not taste like a taco.  If fact, you won’t even know the beans are in there.

Black beans are a great addition to any brownie recipe because they’re loaded with fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals and they have the perfect texture and color to replace the flour in a traditional brownie recipe.  Also, using beans instead of flour adds more moisture to your brownies and who doesn’t love a moist brownie?

Since traditional brownie recipes are loaded with sugar, eliminating refined sugars is another way to make your recipes healthier.  My favorite brownie recipes are naturally sweetened with dates instead of refined sugar.  Dates are a great addition because they are full of nutrients and they help create that wonderful fudgy texture that we know and love.

Typically, brownies are baked but the recipe I’m sharing with you today is a no-bake brownie recipe from ifoodreal.com and it is one of my favorites.

This recipe is a really fun and easy way to get your brownie fix without having to spend hours in the kitchen.  And since the brownies are not baked, their texture is a cross between a classic brownie and a chocolate fudge.  The best of both worlds, right?

As you can see, eating healthy doesn’t mean you have to give up on eating dessert….it just means you have to be creative.

So the next time you’re craving a brownie (or two), but you don’t want all the sugar, flour and fat, make a batch of these super fudgy black bean brownies.  I guarantee it will be love at first bite!

No Bake Black Bean Brownies

Ingredients
*  15 oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained
*  13 Medjool dates (pitted)
*  1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
*  1/3 cup cacao powder
*  3 tbsp. coconut oil, melted
*  1  tsp. pure vanilla extract
*  1 tsp. salt*
*  2 tbsp. cacao nibs or mini chocolate chips
*  Chocolate drizzle on top (optional)**

Instructions
1.  In a powerful blender or food processor, process all ingredients (except cacao nibs and drizzle) until very smooth.  Add cacao nibs or chocolate chips and pulse a few more times.
2.  Pour into a parchment lined 8×8 square dish.  Level with a spatula, drizzle with chocolate and freeze for at least 3 hours.
3.  Cut into squares and ENJOY!

Notes
*Try to buy low sodium black beans.  If not, you may need to use less salt in the recipe.
**Melt a few tablespoons of chocolate chips with coconut oil for the drizzle.  I like to add chopped nuts too!