Black Bean Choc Fudge Brownies

Black Bean Choc Fudge Brownies

These bad boys are gluten free, sugar free, dairy free and my gosh do they taste good!

I made double the batch because I wanted to share it with all my clients just in time for Easter, so if your after a smaller serve of around 16 brownies stick with the required amounts and bake it in a medium square cake tin.

Ingredients

• a can of black beans, drained & rinsed
• 2 eggs, large
• 1/2 cup applesauce, unsweetened
• 10 Medjool dates, pitted
• 1 scoop of protein powder (optional)
• 1 Tbsp rice malt syrup or honey
• 1/2 cup cacao powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 cup dark choc chips

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees and line a medium size square baking dish with baking paper, holding it down with some cooking spray.
2. Put black beans in food processor and blend.
3. Add the rest of the ingredients (except chocolate chips) to food processor and process until  really smooth, this may take time.
4. Pour batter into lined baking dish and top with your chocolate chips. Bake for 30 minutes.
5. Remove from the oven and let brownies cool for 5 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack and let cool completely before slicing. Cut into 16 squares.

Major Tips*
Before you go crazy, running around searching for ingredients (like I did..) please remember these very important tips to save you time!
1. You can not buy black beans at a normal supermarket, you must go to an Asian grocer to get them. If you are lucky you will be able to buy them in a can but if you can't they will either come in a vacuum seal bag or they will be in a packet and raw. I found that a lot of the vacuum seal bags had extra ingredients like salt or soy sauce so if this is the case go for the RAW option!
2. If your black beans are raw it means you will need to soak them before you use them. This will take time so do it the day before you plan to make them. To soak: Put beans in a deep bowl, cover with boiling water and add a teaspoon of baking powder. Soak over night in the fridge (min 8 hours) covered.
3.  Unsweetened applesauce is also hard to come across in a supermarket because they always add sugar!! So instead of hunting around at health food shops or organic shops and paying a ridiculous price, just head straight to the baby section of the supermarket and buy a can of baby-food! 100% pureed apple with added Vitamin C. Perfect!

Hopefully this helps! And they turn out as yummy and as fudgy as mine!

Love Luce

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate Chip Cookies!

This recipe is ridiculously easy to make and so so yummy! 

Some little tips:

 1. Make your cookies small so they cook through.

2. Your hands need to be wet as you roll them because the mixture is super sticky, so just run them under the tap every now and then. 

3. The chickpeas make the cookies a soft texture so don't stress when they don't come out with a crunch.

Recipe:

Ingredients

-1 can of chickpeas, rinsed and dried in paper towel

-1/2 cup natural peanut butter (or any natural nut butter)

- 1/4 cup honey

- 2 tsp vanilla essence

- 1 tsp baking powder

- pinch of salt

- 2/3 cup dark choc chips

Method

1. Blend chickpeas in food processor first and then add all other ingredients (except choc chips!) 

2.Then add in choc chips and mix in with spoon. 

3. Wet hands and roll mixture into little balls, push down on baking paper. Bake 180 degrees for 13 mins. 

Enjoy lovely people! 

Love Luce xx

Banana Bread

Turn those old bananas into something wonderful..

Healthy Banana Bread!

This recipe is my absolute favourite for a healthy banana bread and always works out perfect! There are many recipes out there for a clean banana bread that don't use flour that are yummy also and great for someone that may have a gluten intolerance. I love mine to be light, fluffy and packed with flavour so I like to make mine with wholemeal flour. 

Recipe

2 cups of wholemeal flour (sifted)

1/2 cup almond meal

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp bi carb soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

3-4 over ripe mashed bananas

2Tbsp honey

2 tsp vanilla essence

2 eggs 

1/2 milk 

Method

➡ Mix dry and wet ingredients in separate bowls, then combine together

➡ Pour into greased cake tin and bake for 40 mins on 180 degrees 

Notes: If you do have a bit of a sweeter tooth just add a small amount of a natural sweetner (eg. Stevia or Natvia) to keep those taste buds satisfied.

I choose to use almond milk but any milk would be fine as it is only a small amount.

Enjoy in moderation! :)

Love Luce xx