Avocado Brownies

I absolutely love putting avocados in desserts!  It makes them super creamy and adds some healthy fat.  I usually put avocado in chocolate pudding but this time i wanted to try putting avocado in a different dessert, brownies!  These brownies were eaten so fast, everyone loved them!  I have to go buy more avocados to make this tasty treat again!

This recipe was adapted from here.  I made a few changes to the original recipe.  Here is how I made my Avocado Brownies:

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup GF rolled oats
• 3/4 cup black beans 
• 1 mashed avocado
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 2 tbsp ground flaxseed + 6 tbsp water
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup raw sugar
• 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips, divided (or more!)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking powder

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F.  Grease a 9x9 inch square pan and set aside.
2. In a small bowl, mix together the ground flaxseed and water and set aside.
3. In a food processor, process the oats into a flour.  Add the beans and process until very smooth.
4. Add the mashed avocado, cocoa powder, flaxseed mixture, vanilla extract, and sugar to the food processor and blend until smooth.
5. Melt 2 tbsp of the chocolate chips in the microwave.  Add to the food processor and blend.
6. Add the salt and baking powder and pulse until they are incorporated.
7. Stir in the other 2 tbsp of chocolate chips.
8. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and use a spatula to distribute it evenly and make sure it is smooth.
9. Bake for about 25 minutes.  Allow to cool before slicing.
   

I know the combination of black beans and avocado may sound unusual, but don't be scared off!  You cannot even taste the black beans, all you will taste is creamy chocolate!  And of course you can always add extra chocolate chips into the batter before baking!

This recipe yields 9 brownies.  One brownie yields approximately 128 calories and 3g protein.