"Earth" Brownies

I had a little obsession last week with these black bean brownies. Stacy, from She {Hearts} it shared a link on  facebook and of course, I HAD to make them...

Like with everything, I ended up making them "my own"...I changed some stuff.

I don't do it because I think my way is best, I do it because I am a bricoleur. I don't wait until I have the exact ingredients. Of course, some ingredients have to be in there, like eggs, but I improvise where I can and with what I already have on hand or what I think will work and add some extra health benefits.  They got the name "earth" brownies from my neighbor's reaction after I shared some with her last week. I was like, what? I thought it was a slam...She goes..."no, no...like they're really healthy...in a good way".  She said she liked them!

I for one, LOVED them! But don't think of them as a replacement to your Duncan Hines brownies you make for your family nights. Think of them as a special healthy treat you make on more of a regular basis. Say, if your family is prone to want dessert every night, these would be great! Keeping the "real deal" for more special occasion.

Aren't they pretty?

So here is my version of the black bean brownies. I cannot wait to make them again...but I need eggs.
Uh, yeah...Easter weekend coming up AND I am out of eggs. "Hopping" to go first thing in the morning...snort. haha We saw the movie HOP this week!

Anyway...

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked black beans (or 1 can, rinsed and drained)
1 cup fresh or frozen kale
4 eggs
1/3 cup melted coconut oil
1/4 cup cocoa powder (I used dark choc)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup sugar (or 1/2 cup honey)-I made it twice...once with honey and once with sugar. I think I like the sugar better...but the honey was good too. I ate it like it was my last meal...imagine cave man.
1/2 package semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/3 cup finely chopped almonds (optional)

Instructions: 

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. In a food processor bowl or blender(I use blender), combine the black beans, kale, eggs, melted coconut oil, cocoa powder, vanilla, and sugar. Pulse or blend until smooth (or as smooth as possible).
2. Grease an 8x8-inch baking dish. Pour the batter into the greased dish. Sprinkle chocolate chips and nuts (if using) over the top and use a spatula to push them down into the batter just a little (but not too much; they will sink some while the brownies bake).
3. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes, until brownies are set in the middle. Watch the edges for excess browning if you're not sure they're done. (Mine seem to take a full 50 minutes, and are still chewy but not gooey.)
Cool and then chill before serving! Store in fridge.

Let me know how they turn out!