Decadent Black Bean Brownies Stuffed with Almond Butter 

I like baking with beans.  My Chickpea Blondies have been a big hit.  Now I’ve come up with these black bean super treats.  The beans make them fiber filled with a fudgy texture.  I take it one step further by “stuffing” them with an almond butter filling.  The result is thick, rich tasty goodness! You can substitute any nut butter in the almond butter filling, or leave it out and make the brownies plain.  Either way, you’re in for a fun treat!

Ingredients 

1 15 oz can black beans (drained and rinsed)

½ c coconut sugar

1/3 c maple syrup

¼ c almond butter

2 eggs

1 t vanilla

½ t fresh ground coffee

¼ c cacoa powder (unsweetened)

¼ c almond flour

¼ c arrowroot flour

½ t baking powder

¼ c chocolate chips

Almond butter filling

½ c almond butter

1/3 c maple syrup

¼ t salt

Instructions

Preheat the oven and prepare an 8” square baking dish.

Put the beans, coconut sugar, maple syrup, ¼ c of almond butter, eggs, vanilla and ground coffee in a food processor and process on high until mixture is smooth, about 2 minutes.  Be sure and scrape the sides of the processor.

In a small bowl combine the cacoa powder, almond flour, arrowroot flour, and baking powder; mix well.  Add the dry ingredients to the mixture in the processor.  Process on low until all ingredients are blended.

In a small bowl combine the remaining ½ c of almond butter, maple syrup and salt to make the filling.  Work the ingredients together until it is smooth and fluid, you may need to place in the microwave for 20 seconds to slightly soften.

Pour ½ of the brownie batter into the baking dish.  Spread it out with a spatula so the bottom is evenly covered. Pour the almond butter mixture uniformly over the chocolate layer.  Gently spread it so that it covers the chocolate layer.  Pour the second ½ of the brownie batter over the top and again, spread it gently so that it covers the almond butter.  If using, sprinkle the chocolate chips on top. Immediately put the dish in the oven and bake for 25 minutes.  Allow brownies to cool completely before cutting.  Store in the refrigerator.  Makes 12 brownies.