Black Bean Chocolate Brownies

The doctor told my boyfriend he needs to lower his cholesterol, and I love to bake, so I have been experimenting with some “heart healthy” recipes. This moist “brownie” met with approval. I got the idea for these from the Dr. Oz show, where a similar brownie was tested, and no one could guess that the secret ingredient was black beans, which add texture and fiber to the brownies. Applesauce adds natural sweetness so you don’t need to add a lot of sugar, as I have seen in some Black Bean Brownie recipes.

Ingredients
Black Bean Chocolate Brownies1 (19 oz.) can black beans
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup plain yogurt
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 cup dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
Directions

1. Rinse black beans and measure out 1 1/4 cups of beans. (reserve any remaining beans for another use - you could add them to a salad.) Place beans in food processor and whirl to mash.
2. Add flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and brown sugar to the mashed beans in the food processor, and process to blend in.
3. Add applesauce, yogurt and vanilla and whirl again to blend.
4. Fold in chocolate chips and walnuts.
5. Spray an 8 inch square baking pan
with non-stick spray, and turn the brownie mixture into the prepared pan. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 25-30 minutes. Cool completely and cut into squares.

The second time I made this I used 1/2 cup whole wheat flour and added 1/4 cup ground flax seed meal. This also worked out well, and added the heart healthy benefits of the flax seed.
(credit: http://www.recipesoldandnew.com/index.php/2010/02/11/black-bean-chocolate-brownies/ )