Chef AJ’s Outrageous Unprocessed Brownies

What can I say? WOWZA! This recipe is in my Forks over Knives Companion Book as well as in my Complete Idiot’s Guide to Plant Based Nutrition. The result was a super fudgey delicious whole foods brownie!

1 15oz can black beans (drained and rinsed)
1 1/2 C. date syrup or pure maple syrup

2 T. ground flax seed
1/2 C. cocoa powder
1 t. baking powder
1/2 t. baking soda
1 T. Vanilla Extract
3/4 cup barley flour (I used whole wheat pastry flour) GLUTEN FREE flour works well in this recipe too!
1 cup grain sweetened chocolate chips

Note: if you can’t find date syrup, make it yourself by covering several cups of PITTED dates with water in a saucepan, bring to a boil and then simmer for 30 minutes. Blend until smooth. Voila- date syrup (it’s really more like a paste, like apple butter). OR use pure maple syrup as a replacement.

Directions: Using a food processor or High powered blender- blend beans and date syrup until smooth. Pulse in remaining ingredients until just combined. Put into a lightly greased 8×8 pan or 8 inch round pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes until toothpick comes out clean. It was hard for me to wait for these to cool off they smelled so good!

Update: Chef AJ responded to this and said she is now reducing the date syrup to 1 1/4 C. with the same tasty results. Thanks Chef AJ! Her recipe book is called Unprocessed and here is her web site. Amazing lady, amazing story!

She is sending a copy of the book to me, hope to receive it this week. Cannot wait to try out some recipes and review the book!