Today is pretty special – Claire from the fantabulous The Realistic Nutritionist is here as a guest poster! Who doesn’t adore and admire her mouthwatering recipes that always manage to be on the healthy side? I may or may not be a little star-struck 
Hi friends and fans of Healthy Foodie Travels, it’s Claire, The Realistic Nutritionist, here! I want to thank Kiri for hosting me here and I’m SO excited about this recipe I have to share with y’all! Not only is it delicious, it’s super healthy, low-fat and completely gluten-free, which is perfect for a girl like me whose trying to lose those last few pounds [without much avail].
I know what you’re thinking, how the HELL are these gluten-free? They look so rich, so moist, so thick and chocolately. And guess what? They are all those things AND STILL gluten-free. Amazing, right? Now, the secret to these gluten-free masterpieces doesn’t lie in expensive flours or weird things like xantham gum. It’s actually in something you can pick up for less than a buck.
BLACK BEANS! After the success of my black bean Valentine’s Day cake, I knew I had to use them again in another dessert. The thing that’s amazing about these brownies (and that cake) is you don’t taste beans. At all. Not even a little after taste. All you taste is rich and sweet chocolate. It’s incredible how you can make something that normally contains cups of flour without any and not compromise taste or texture.
Now, they aren’t exactly like regular brownies, though. You don’t get that crusty top and they aren’t as fudgey. But really? That’s the only difference! The taste is the exact same and they are even smoother than a regular brownie. Honestly guys, I might only make these going froward.
I know, bold statement. But seriously. Take the test and make these. I promise they’ll make you a black bean dessert believer. And if not? I’ll take them off your hands, gladly 
Recipe adapted from All Recipes.
Gluten-free Chocolate Brownies
Yields about 12 brownies
Prep time: >10 minutes
Cook time: 28 minutes
Ingredients:
- 3 brown eggs
- 3 tablespoons canola oil (can also use vegetable)
- 15 ounces of black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- Dash of salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/3 cup gluten-free semisweet chocolate chips
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8 x 8 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large blender, add black beans, eggs and canola oil. Blend on high until mixture is smooth. Pour mixture out of the blender and into a large mixing bowl. Add cocoa powder, sugars, vanilla, salt, walnuts and chocolate chips. Stir well. Pour mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 22 – 28 minutes, or until the edges start to come in and top is a little dry.
Nutritional information per brownie:
Calories: 116
Fat: 5.4 grams
Carbohydrates: 17.3 grams
Fiber: 2 grams
Protein: 2.75 grams
Weight Watchers Points Plus Points: 3
*looks up from frantically opening black bean cans* … ahem. Yes. Thank you Caire! This looks amazing, and I am fairly certain not one of my readers can resist
I want to try and have guest posts here on a fairly regular basis, since I have enjoyed guest posting for other blogs and think it’s a great way to find new blogs and/or readers. If you would like to guest post here, please email me at healthyfoodietravels@gmail.com!
Wow – black beans – what a secret. Cool trick! They look delicious and I’m eager to try one for myself!
I’ve made boxed brownies with black beans before, but Claire’s from scratch version looks to die for, doesn’t it?
Black beans and brownies??? wow, this is certainly a discovery for me but you know what, I love healthy and gluten free desserts. Looks really tempting and fabulous at the same time. Thumbs up to Claire.
I’ve only tried boxed brownies this way, but those were already amazing
Claire’s version must be awesome.
Seriously.. blackbeans!! I love it.
Great guest post ladies. 
Isn’t she the bomb?
What a fun guest post! I love Claire’s blog, always great recipes and this is no exception. I’ve always been intrigued by these brownies as I’ve seen them floating around the blogosphere and this may be the time I finally try them. They look amazing!
I’ve never made them from scratch, but they work great with a mix!
I love black bean brownies! That is amazing! I made them not too long ago and they are SO much better than people think. Great guest post!
I agree, and I only ever made the box version
i definitely am intrigued by using beans in desserts, i will be putting these on the must-make list!
I am sure you’ll love them. Don’t they look amazingly fudgy?
What a great idea… love the use of the black beans. I’m going to make this and see if my hubby notices anything different:)
Agreed, Claire’s recipe is awesome
Too funny! I just made a black bean brownie pie. I love Claire’s blog and her brownies look excellent!
Haha, perfect timing!
Now this is someting unique, black beans and brownies, who would have thought ! Very curious to see how they taste!
I’ve had boxed brownies made with beans before, and you couldn’t taste the difference!
I’m all about a fudgy gluten-free brownie!
Me too! I love how dense and moist black bean brownies get
I’ve heard a lot about black bean brownies! They look amazing! So nice that they are gluten free!
They’re delicious!
So thick and moist.
They look sooo incredibly moist! Will definitely give them a try
Don’t they? I am drooling a little
Love those brownie bars with black beans…a really creative and delectable recipe. Love it!
Don’t they just look amazing?
Gotta love Claire’s recipes.
Oh wow, these are genius and have “Pin Me” written all over them! They look so rich and decadent, just fantastic!
Don’t they?
I can’t get over the moist, moist look of them.
Well, you did better than I with the black bean brownies. Mine were horrid. I think it’s because mine had spices in them or something. Either way, I have not had the courage to try it again. lol Yours look great on the other hand.
Oh, plain beans are imperative! Sorry to hear your bad experience!
YUM! This meal looks amazing- I love everything in ti!
I’m glad! Claire always has awesome stuff!
This is a mad scientist mash-up! I put black beans in pretty much everything but I NEVER considering putting it in a dessert before. Claire = Genius
By the way, Kiri…did you talk to JEFF SMITH!!!???
Gotta love Claire!
Haha, he signed my book and was very nice. He gave a panel on inking techniques and was just all around great.
These look very luscious indeed – my gluten-free pals are going to LOVE these! Lovely photos and lovely guest post by Claire!
Don’t they?
Claire is sure to always have a winning recipe!
I have yet to try brownies with beans. The texture is truly irresistable!
Agreed – I had boxed brownies with black beans, and they were unbeatably moist
Baking a brownie with black beans sounds incredibly clever! I am so intrigued! Lovely guest post indeed
Isn’t it? And I have tasted proof of the deliciousness.
Great guest post! These gluten free brownies look incredibly rich and moist. Love it.
Agreed, my mouth still waters just thinking about them!