Healthy Habits: Grain-Free Brownies and Blondies

Moist Chocolate Brownies (Made w/ Beans)

Now I know what your thinking, "beans in a dessert?!" I also thought that this notion seemed too good to be true. How is it possible that a chocolate brownie made with beans would taste good? But believe me, they do. If I didn't tell you what they were made of, you would never know. My brother (being one of the pickiest eaters out there) even enjoyed the treat. It tastes like a classic fudgey brownie, and its healthy too. If you are grain-free or just looking to add more nutrients to your diet, these brownies are the most delicious way to do that.

Recipe

Ingredients:

15 ounce can black beans (or 1½ cups cooked beans), thoroughly rinsed and drained.

¼ cup melted coconut oil or other oil/melted fat of choice

⅔ cup sugar or more to suit your taste

2 tablespoons chia meal or flax meal, or one egg

½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon vinegar or lemon juice

½ teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. In a food processor bowl, add the beans, oil, sugar, and chia meal. Puree until smooth           and beans are indiscernible.

3. With the motor running, add the remaining ingredients and mix well.

4. Pour/spread into a greased or parchment lined 8 x 8 inch pan. The batter will not be             deep.

5. Bake in a preheated oven 20-25 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes         out clean.

6. Cool before cutting into squares. Store in an airtight container.

source: http://thehappyhousewife.com/cooking/black-bean-brownies-grain-free-vegan/#_a5y_p=1440616

Chocolate Chip Blondies

This dessert is a less kooky recipe for an equally delicious treat. For you chocolate chip cookie lovers, these blondies share the same great taste in the form of a brownie. Made with almond flour, these blondies have the perfect consistency while still being grain free. They are super easy too make, but since they are grain-free if they are under-baked then the cake itself falls apart really easily and crumbles a lot. Best eaten warm, and a really good addition to a bowl of ice cream!

Recipe

Ingredients:

2½ cup blanched, extra-fine almond flour

1 tsp baking soda

¾ tsp salt

½ cup grade B maple syrup

½ cup coconut oil (melted)

1 tbsp vanilla

1 cup enjoy life chocolate chips or a combination of chips and chunks

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375.

2. Mix the almond flour, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Set aside.

3. In a small bowl, combine the maple syrup, oil, and vanilla. This will get thick and almost         feel like an eggy consistency.

4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry, mix to combine.

5. Add the chocolate chips and spread the batter into a greased pan.

6. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

source: http://unbageled.com/paleo-chocolate-chip-blondies/

xoxoxo

Nina

Song stuck in my head right now: Star Spangled Banner (lol)