sneaky delicious

By Molly Burke, FoodCorps Service Member

Looking for a healthy twist on the desserts your kids love? Here are two, tested and approved by Stefanik Stars! We experimented with healthy substitutions in this delicious brownie batter recipe, which, with a few ingredient omissions, doubles as a vegan ice cream topping or dipping sauce for fruit. These brownies are made with black beans instead of flour for a fudgy texture and a big dose of healthy fiber and plant protein. You can also substitute fiber-and-vitamin-rich dates for half of the sugar without sacrificing sweetness. The best part is that you can’t taste the black beans--even in the raw chocolate sauce! It’s almost too good to be true.

Ingredients
For brownies:

• The same amounts as above of beans, cocoa powder, sugar/dates, and oil
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch salt
• 2 flax eggs OR for non-vegan, 3 eggs (for flax eggs, mix 2 tbs flaxseed meal with ¼ cup hot water and mix well. Let sit for 5 minutes or until thickened)
• 1 tsp baking powder
• Optional: 1 tsp coffee grounds
• If needed to blend: milk of choice or water
• Optional: ½ cup chocolate chips or walnuts

For sauce:

• 1 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¼ cup packed brown sugar and ½ cup pitted dates, OR ½ cup packed brown sugar
• 3 tbs vegetable oil
• ½ cup water

Procedures
For brownies: Preheat oven to 350F. Add all ingredients to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Add all ingredients except chocolate chips or walnuts to a blender and blend until smooth. Add milk or water a few tablespoons at a time if mixture is too thick to blend. Fold in desired toppings and stir with a spoon to combine. Pour batter into a greased baking dish and bake at 350F for 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick or knife comes out clean (if you added liquid, cook time may be longer). Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then serve. Makes about 16 brownies.

For sauce:
Add all ingredients to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth, adding more water if too thick. Can also use a bowl and hand mixer or potato masher. Serve over ice cream or as a dipping sauce for your favorite fruit. We tried it with strawberries and bananas!

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