1 15oz. Can of black beans, rinsed and drained. (I look for low or no sodium canned or prepare my own from dried black beans)

2 eggs or flax eggs (3 eggs for a more cakier brownie). (The first time I tried this recipe with 2 eggs– since I have used flax egg)

1/2 of large ripe avocado  (I use a whole small or medium sized avocado)

1 TBL melted Coconut oil (I use unrefined, virgin, cold pressed)

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder plus 1 TBL ( I use at least 70% unsweetened and dairy free cocoa powder)

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2/3 cup coconut sugar or sub brown sugar or sub 1/2 cup pure maple syrup. ( I’m undecided which I like better– coconut sugar or maple syrup…..)

1/3 cup chocolate chips + 2 TBL for topping ( I look for at least 70% cocoa, unsweetened & dairy free chips )

Instructions

Step 1— Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8x8 inch pan. ( I lay parchment paper in my pan, going up the sides, then use a little avocado oil to “grease” prior to pouring in my batter)

Step 2-  Place all ingredients besides chocolate chips into blender or food processor. Process or puree until ingredients form a smooth batter. If batter is way too thick, add in a teaspoon or two of water. The batter does need to be very thick in order to produce fudgy brownies.

Step 3– Add in 1/3 cup of chocolate chips and fold into the batter

Step 4—Pour batter into prepared pan, sprinkle the additional 2 TBL chocolate chips on top

Step 5– Bake for 25-35 minutes or until knife inserted in the center comes out clean and top of brownies begin to crack. Cool pan completely on wire rack then cut into serving sizes

Notes

*Additional topping ideas for step 4: nut butters, nuts, dried fruit, coconut.  ( I have tried sunflower seed butter, walnuts, pecans)

*Flax Egg– 1 egg = 1TBL. Ground flax seed mixed with 2 1/2 TBL water blend well and let sit for 10-15 minutes before adding to recipe. May also use ground chia seed in place of flax. This provides a vegan friendly substitute as well as a great substitute containing Omega-3 fatty acids for those with dietary restrictions.

*Dried Black Beans– More time consuming….. Take 1 Cup of  rinsed dried black beans into a pot cover with water to 1” inch above beans, let soak over night. The next day stir the mixture, add more water if needed. Bring mixture to  a boil, then simmer on med– low heat until beans are tender, adding more water as needed. (about 1-2 hours).  Measure out 1 1/2 Cups of the cooked beans for your brownie recipe. Leftover beans? Toss into a side dish or salad, bean dip…….