Try this rich and delicious dessert without guilt!  A dessert with protein and fiber?  Yes, please!

Lisa B. Smith, RDN is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with the Southern Ute Shining Mountain Health and Wellness.

Flourless Black Bean Brownies*

Ingredients:

• Non-stick cooking spray
• 1 15oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 3 large eggs
• 3 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• ½ cup chocolate chips, divided

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 and coat a 9” square pan with cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, add eggs, vanilla and oil, stir to combine.
3. Add black beans and smash with a fork until most beans have been smashed.
4. (This may take a few minutes.)
5. Add sugar and cocoa and stir together until combined.
6. Fold in half the chips.
7. Pour batter into square pan then add remaining chocolate chips to the top.
8. Bake for 20 minutes, checking for doneness at 18 minutes and adjusting time as needed. The brownies are done when a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool.

Tips: Try using walnuts instead of chocolate chips or add some of each. This can be served to people who are gluten free. Do not use seasoned black beans!

Servings per recipe: 9

Serving size: one square

Nutrition per serving: 198 Calories, 10g Fat, 23g Carbohydrates, 4 g Fiber, 6g Protein

*Adapted from Cooking Matters