Love Dark Chocolate? Try Out this Delicious Healthy Holiday Hearing Recipe!

With the holiday season in full swing, it’s common for many of us to attend parties and gatherings where there’s food, lots of food. Unfortunately, many of us put on a few extra pounds during this time of year, and while it may be satisfying at first, the long-term repercussions are not. For most, it’s the temptation of sweets that gets us the most, but luckily there is a way to satisfy your sweet tooth in a healthy manner, especially if you happen to love dark chocolate. Real dark chocolate that has not been processed, or is at least 70% cacao content is rich in zinc, antioxidants, iron, magnesium, manganese, copper, and selenium.

A favorite holiday chocolate dish for many is brownies, and they often find their way onto the table. So, if you love dark chocolate and brownies, and have been searching for a way to enjoy this delicious dish and not feel so guilty about it, try your hand at this healthy black bean brownie recipe!

Black Bean Brownie Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 ¾ cups cooked black beans or a 15 oz. can/bag (rinsed and drained)
• ½ – ¾ cup of cacao powder (100% dark chocolate)
• 2 eggs
• 3 Tbsp. of coconut oil
• 1.5 tsp of vanilla extract
• ½ cup of honey (or your choice of sweetener)
• ½ tsp of baking powder
• ½ cup of chopped walnuts (optional)
• ½ of dark chocolate chips (optional)
• Pinch of Himalayan pink salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. If needed, spray your baking dish (8×8 inch, or one of your choice) with nonstick cooking spray.
3. Place all of the ingredients, minus the chocolate chips and walnuts (if using), into a high-speed blender or food processor and blend until the batter is smooth.
4. If using, stir in the walnuts and/or chocolate chips.
5. Pour the mixture into your baking dish.
6. If desired, sprinkle pieces of the walnuts and/or chocolate chips across the top.
7. Bake for 30-45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. If you sprinkled the top of the brownies with walnuts, cover the brownies about halfway through baking with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
8. Let the brownies cool before cutting.