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This is a guest post from Selina at Creative Juices for Decor.
At first, going sugar-free and gluten-free can leave you feeling deprived of your favorite foods but let me tell you the truth, its only because you haven’t explored all the options! Amy leaves you with so many tools and resources that going sugar-free and gluten-free will make you feel like the LUCKY one, no deprivation!
In fact some of the food will be the best you have ever eaten. If you are looking for a dense, fudgy, slightly chewy brownie that will leave your palate with a smooth, rich, chocolaty taste - these are the brownies to make.
Still not convinced? Man, you guys are difficult! Tell me that doesn’t look like a ray of heavenly light falling upon that brownie. All right, your on your own. I’ll give you the recipe and you can choose to experience this utopia for yourself or not.
This recipe was provided by Selina of Creative Juices Decor.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon powdered stevia
- 4 ounces unsweetened baking chocolate
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1 cup almonds
- 2 cups cooked black beans
- 1/2 large or 1 small avocado
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon coarse sea salt
- 3/4 cup agave nectar
- 1/4 cup instant espresso or natural coffee alternative
- 4 eggs
Instructions
- Put the chia seeds and stevia in the 1/2 cup of warm water. Stir and let sit for 10 minutes.
- Melt butter and coconut oil in a glass dish with your chocolate. Microwave in one minute intervals and stir till just melted.
- Place the beans, avocado, almonds, vanilla extract, and a couple of spoonfuls of the melted chocolate mixture into a food processor. Blend till smooth. Dump in mixer. Add the remaining chocolate, coffee or coffee substitute, chai/stevia mixture, eggs and salt.
- Mix until well blended and creamy. Pour into a greased 11×9″ baking pan. Bake at 325 F for 35 minutes or till set.
- Cool completely before cutting and store in the refrigerator. These are best after they’ve cooled and also slice much cleaner. If you want a warm brownie I suggest just microwaving your individual piece.
Notes
The seeds can hold 10x their weight and will thicken up the water. The benefit of chia seeds are AMAZING. If you do not have access to chia seeds and can’t make this mixture just skip it and increase the coconut oil to 1/2 cup and add an additional 1/2 cup agave nectar.
Isn’t Selina’s daughter a doll?
My kids love these brownies and they’re picky. Plus, these are healthier. If you happen to eat five of these you won’t feel as guilty because your just eating your beans and vegetables. I’d say that sums it all up right there!
Use Amy’s iherb.com coupon to get most any of these ingredients if you don’t have them. iHerb.com is a fantastic website for health food and is definitely the best value I have found.
Amy’s version of black bean brownies is here.
Selina lives in North Idaho with her husband and three children. She is an interior designer by degree, artist by heart, and a classical musician through years of practicing. Her blog, Creative Juices for Decor, is a mix of design ideas, healthy recipes, and fun activities for kids. Come stop by!
A Sweet Stevia Deal
(This is from Amy…)
So you know how much I love NuNaturals stevia – it tastes great, is easy to use, and has no bitter aftertaste. If you’ve never tried it but want to I have two different options for you:
- FREE SAMPLES are available for all Continental U.S. readers. To get NuStevia Packets, simply send a SELF-ADDRESSED, STAMPED, # 10 envelope to us at the following location :
NuNaturals , Inc.
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- Or, order stevia directly from www.nunaturals.com and recieve a 15% off your total order. Use this code on the checkout page : BLG228. Any Continental U.S. orders totaling $35 or more after the discount will also receive free shipping.
This offer is effective until February 28, 2011.
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CElina
posted on December 30, 2010 at 12:42 am
This looks great!
One question regarding the stevia: I have two kinds – the NuNaturals White Stevia Powder (it has maltodextrin in it) and the NuNaturals Pure White Stevia Extract – the later is much more concentrated. Which one should be used in this recipe?
[Reply]
Amy Reply:
December 30th, 2010 at 12:08 pm
@CElina, I don’t know what kind Selina used for this recipe but I’d go with the White Stevia Powder.
Hugs,
Amy
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GFree_Miel
posted on December 30, 2010 at 8:16 am
These look so amazing! I must have them!
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Selina@CreativeJuicesDecor
posted on December 30, 2010 at 12:30 pm
Regarding the stevia, I used the NuNaturals white stevia powder with the maltodextrin added. Stevia is funny with all it’s different kinds of equivalents. Hope that helps – can’t wait for you to make them!
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The Teenie Foodie
posted on January 1, 2011 at 4:58 am
Oh this look so good, my mouth is watering… I never realised that you could use black beans and avocado in a brownie, but I will definetly try this! I’d probably just leave out the stevia as I don’t like my snacks sweet but thanks for sharing! Great post.
Teenie Foodie
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Dairy Free Food
posted on January 1, 2011 at 5:27 am
Thanks for bring these Fantastic recipes for drownies and those who require dairy free food are not disadvantaged in any way.
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Alta
posted on January 1, 2011 at 12:17 pm
These look amazing. I love avocados with chocolate – they make everything so creamy. Yum.
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Selina
posted on January 3, 2011 at 1:45 pm
Sure! Canned black beans work great. (-:
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Marie
posted on January 3, 2011 at 1:04 pm
Am I able to use canned beans in this recipe?
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Christianne
posted on January 10, 2011 at 11:11 am
,Is the expresso substiture liquid or granule? I make my own expresso in a moka machine so I wasn’t sure?
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Selina@CreativeJuicesDecor
posted on January 10, 2011 at 3:46 pm
Hi Christianne, I used the granular natural coffee substitute like Pero or Inka. Hope that helps!
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Christianne Reply:
January 10th, 2011 at 8:36 pm
@Selina@CreativeJuicesDecor,
Thank YOU!
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Jeanette
posted on January 14, 2011 at 8:12 pm
I just came across your site and so excited to have found you. I recently found out my son is allergic to gluten and sugar among other things, and I have been searching for recipes for him. Thank you!
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Meredith
posted on July 17, 2011 at 10:50 am
Hello
I was about to make this recipe and noticed it calls for agave in the ingredients, but no where in the recipe does it say when and how to use it. Can someone please help? Thanks.
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Selina@CreativeJuicesDecor
posted on July 17, 2011 at 11:21 am
Reply @ Meredith
Opps, just add the agave at the same time with the chocolate, coffee, chai/stevia mixture, eggs and salt. (Feel free to edit that Amy
[Reply]
Amy Reply:
July 18th, 2011 at 10:44 am
@Selina@CreativeJuicesDecor, Thanks for the quick response, Selina. I’ll edit.
Hugs!
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Dahlia
posted on September 2, 2011 at 3:07 pm
Hi Amy,
Can I use liquid instant espresso?
[Reply]
Amy Reply:
September 2nd, 2011 at 3:16 pm
@Dahlia, You can always try it but I can’t promise on the results. Haven’t tested it.
Hugs,
Amy
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Kerry
posted on February 18, 2012 at 11:37 pm
Wanting to make these for my son’s 1 year bday party but am hesitant to use espresso or coffee, if I leave that out what will it do to the taste/consistency? Thanks!
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Selina@CreativeJuicesDecor Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:08 am
hi Kerry, I actually used an all natural coffee substitute (no caffine, just made from Barley) so I wouldn’t worry at all using that with kids. The brand I used was Inka, but the bran Pero seems to be very accessible in grocery stores. I am sure if you left it out, there would not be a huge change in taste. ENJOY!
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Kerry Reply:
March 16th, 2012 at 9:47 pm
Thanks!
@Selina@CreativeJuicesDecor,
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Rigfmom
posted on August 12, 2012 at 5:59 pm
No Don’t use Inka or substitute that is made from Barley if you are gluten free!!!
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Selina@CreativeJuicesDecor
posted on August 12, 2012 at 6:08 pm
Good to know!! thanks for the information about Inka. So for those who are 100% gluten free, use just the espresso.
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