Eating a well-balanced diet doesn’t have to mean cutting out the good stuff. Here's a favorite healthy dessert recipe from NorthShore dietitians. 

Enjoy brownies this Valentine’s Day with a healthy secret ingredient… black beans! Don’t let that scare you away. This secret ingredient provides fiber, protein and gives the brownies a fudge-like consistency. This recipe is so delicious that your family will never know the secret ingredient.

Recipe makes 12 servings
Ingredients:

• ½ cup quick oats
• 3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 packet stevia
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 15oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
• ⅓ cup maple syrup
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil, grapeseed oil or coconut oil + extra oil to grease pan
• 2 tbsp mashed ripe banana
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup dark chocolate chips
• 2 tbsp chia seeds (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350⁰ F.
2. Grease 8”x8” pan with enough oil to lightly coat it. Wipe away any excess so the oil doesn’t puddle.
3. In a food processor, pulse the quick oats into a flour texture.
4. Add the cocoa powder, stevia, baking powder and salt to the food processor and process until well-mixed.
5. Add all other ingredients except the chia seeds and chocolate chips and process until a brownie batter forms.
6. Use a large spoon to stir in the chia seeds and chocolate chips.
7. Pour the batter into greased pan and bake for 16-18 minutes.
8. Allow to cool 15 minutes or until firm.
9. Cut into 12 squares, rinsing the knife with warm water between cuts if the brownies stick to it.

Nutritional Information (per serving):
Calories: 162
Total Fat: 7 g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 83 mg
Total Carbs: 22.5 g
Dietary Fiber: 5 g
Protein: 3.5 g
Iron: 8% Daily Value