Fudge Brownie Protein Bars
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups black beans (1 15-oz can, drained and rinsed very well)
- 3 tbsp dutch or regular cocoa powder
- 7 tbsp chocolate protein powder (I used Isagenix – IsaLean Vanilla)
- pinch of salt
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup or agave or honey
- 2 tbsp coconut sugar (or pinch of stevia)
- 3 1/2 tbsp coconut or vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/3 cup to 2/3 cup chocolate chips (Not optional; omit at your own risk.)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 F. Combine all ingredients except chips in a high-quality food processor, and blend until absolutely and completely smooth. (A blender works if you absolutely must, but the texture and taste will be much better in a food processor.) Stir in the chocolate chips. Pour into a greased 8×8 square pan. Optional: sprinkle extra chocolate chips over the top. Cook the homemade chocolate protein bars 16 minutes. They will still look underdone when you take them from the oven, but this is okay. Let cool, then pat down with a pancake spatula. Refrigerate overnight. The bars will have firmed up and are now ready to cut and eat. Store leftovers in the refrigerator. Makes about 10 bars.
