Confession: I LOVE Brownies!!!

Yes, I confess! I really do! I LOVE brownies! Oooey, gooey, fudgey, chocolatey brownies! And, I would prefer to eat the batter. Yep, even with the raw eggs...so, I will let you in on a little secret. When I make brownies, you know, the yummy, not super healthy for you kind...I leave the eggs for last so that I can eat the batter without the raw eggs. :) OH, SO GOOD!

But, when I am craving some ooey gooey brownies and don't want to feel guilty for eating the entire batch by myself, these are my go-to brownies. Yes, they have things in them that your typical brownie does not, but they are ooey, gooey, and satisfy my chocolate craving.

There are so many "healthy" brownie recipes out there now, and lots of them are fabulous. I don't even know where I found the base of this recipe years ago, but I have tweaked it so much since then. And, that is half the fun. Find a recipe that you like on paper and make it. Don't like it as much as you want to like it...? Make some tweaks and try it again! 

But, make sure you write it down!! I am so bad about that! I make things like this for people and then they ask me for the recipe and I have to remember which version of mine I made! HAHA! Oops! :)

But, I wrote this one down!

Guilt-free Ooey Gooey Brownies

*Note: These are gluten free and can be made vegan by subbing the eggs for ground flax. Also a note below for added protein.

Ingredients:

• 1 egg (2 eggs for less ooey gooey & a little more cake like)
• 1 15 oz can low sodium black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 medium avocado
• 1 TBSP vanilla extract
• 4 TBSP stevia sweetener (I use Pure Via Stevia sweetener)
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1/3 cup raw cacao powder
• Note about the cocoa and the cacao:
• You can use 2/3 cup cocoa if you don't have cacao. I just like the added health benefits of raw cacao. It is a pretty awesome superfood!
• If you want some added protein, you can replace the cocoa and cacao for a chocolate protein powder. I use Arbonne's Chocolate Protein, which tastes like brownie batter anyway!
• 1 TBSP coconut oil
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (save some to sprinkle on top...or add more!)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 8x8 inch baking pan.
2. Add all ingredients together, except chocolate chips, and use mixer (or food processor) to mix until smooth. The batter will be very thick. If batter is too thick (and you will know if it isn't mixing well), add 1-2 tbsp water and mix. Fold in chocolate chips.
3. Spread batter into greased pan and sprinkle with chocolate chips.
4. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Do not over cook! Let pan cool, then cut and serve warm and ooey gooey!

These should be stored in the fridge. I actually LOVE these cold straight out of the fridge.

Don't believe me that brownies with black beans, avocado, and very little sugar can be ooey gooey yummy?? I don't blame you. You have to try them for yourselves.

Just remember, on your journey to find a healthier you, it is the little things, like subbing your old brownie recipe for this one that make a difference. :)

Let me know what you think! Enjoy!