These brownies are so moist and delicious that you won’t believe how much health is packed into them!

Makes 9-12 brownies

Ingredients:

• ½ cup oats
• 2 tablespoons ground flax seeds
• 15 oz can black beans (drained and rinsed well)
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder 
• ¼ teaspoon salt (optional)
• ¼ cup pure maple syrup, honey, or agave
• 6 pitted medjool dates, coarsely chopped (if dry soak in warm water 20 minutes)
• 4 tablespoons coconut sugar (or brown sugar)                 
• 3 tablespoons canola oil
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons water
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ cup chocolate chips (not optional)
• ¼ cup coarsely chopped walnuts, optional
• 2 tablespoons chocolate chips, for topping, optional

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. Add oats and flax to food processor and process to a coarse flour. Add all remaining ingredients except chocolate chips and nuts to the food processor, and blend until completely smooth. Stir in the ½ cup chips and nuts (if using) and pulse a few times to incorporate.
3. Spread into a greased 8×8 pan. Sprinkle the additional chocolate chips over the top and press in.
4. Cook the black bean brownies 25 minutes. Let cool 15 minutes before cutting.