Divine "Secret Ingredient" Brownies

So Chocolate Covered Katie has done it again and given me a chance to trick Chris yet again... Let me tell you this, it worked (he had NO CLUE they are healthy and was raving about how good they were).  Well, the secret [flour alternative] ingredient is....

Black Beans!

That's right.  Black Beans.  As in Mexican Fiesta.  But don't let the scare you off!  I tried these around some friends that are not health-fiends at all (and normally very skeptical, mind you) and they had no clue.  These are chocolately, fudgy, and delicious and the perfect all around treat...  I dare you to give them a try.  Trust me, there is so much chocolate in these you would never know!!

As Katie put it, this really is "a recipe that could stand up to a regular sugar-and-flour brownie in a competition." Let me proudly introduce, No-Flour Black Bean Brownies (gluten-free) Ingredients 1 1/2 cups black beans (1 15-oz can, drained and rinsed very well) (250g after draining) 2 tbsp cocoa powder- dutch or regular (10g) 1/2 cup quick oats (40g) (See nutrition facts link below for all substitution notes.) 1/4 tsp salt 1/3 cup pure maple syrup or agave (Honey will work, but not for strict vegans.) (75g) 2 nunaturals stevia packs or 2 tbsp sugar (or omit and increase maple syrup to 1/2 cup) 1/4 cup coconut or vegetable oil (40g) 2 tsp pure vanilla extract 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/2 cup to 2/3 cup chocolate chips (115-140g) (Not optional. Omit at your own risk.) optional: more chips, for presentation "Pre-oven" Directions Preheat oven to 350 F. Combine all ingredients except chips in a good food processor, and blend until completely smooth. Really blend well. (A blender can work if you absolutely must, but the texture—and even the taste—will be much better in a food processor.)  Stir in the chips, then pour into a greased 8×8 pan. Optional: sprinkle extra chocolate chips over the top.  Cook 15-18 minutes, then let cool at least 10 minutes before trying to cut. Makes 12 brownies.* *I found these are best served at room temperature so if you must, put them in the fridge to cool them down.  If they are too warm, they gets too mushy and you need a fork to eat it. For the original recipe see: No Flour Black Bean Brownies