Bean-based brownies and chocolate chip cookies

I'm always interested in finding new ways to make healthier alternatives of not so healthy foods, so I was particularly excited to include Abby's raw, vegan brownies made from black beans. Yes black beans. I even went ahead and made another option using garbanzo beans to make chocolate chip cookie balls. Don't believe it's possible? Don't doubt it till you try it, get your canned goods and food processor to work Avis readers, you won't even remember what the main ingredient is once you try them.

 

Black bean brownies:
1 can of black beans (drained and rinsed)
2 cups dates, pitted
1/2 cup high-quality unsweetened cacao powder
2 tbsp peanut butter (almond butter is also an option)
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp sea salt

1. Preheat the oven to 215 degrees F. Start by processing together the dates, vanilla, and nut butter in a food processor (or high-speed blender) until you have a creamy paste.
2. Add in the black beans as well, and continue until properly combined. You want this to get as smooth as possible (add water to make it easier). Scoop this into a bowl. Note: the dough should not be too sticky, if it is you added too much water just pay attention closely to the remaining steps.
3. Line a small baking pan with parchment paper. Dust the bottom of the pan with a bit of cacao powder before spreading the batter. Press it down firmly using your palms and place the pan in the oven. It should bake for about 1 1/2 hours, or until it has a nice baked surface. It will be a bit "fudgy" allow it to cool completely before slicing into small squares. If you added too much water you might need to store it in the fridge for 1-2 hours to let the cake firm up more.
4. Sprinkle with sea salt to boost the flavor, but a light layer of peanut butter would taste great too!

Garbanzo bean carob chip cookies:
1 can of garbanzo beans
Almond/soy/rice/hemp milk (add slowly to make it smoother, eyeball the amount)
1 tbsp maple syrup
1/2 tbsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup peanut butter
1 tbsp flour (I used whole wheat, but brown rice is also an option)
1/4 cup carob chips or dairy free chocolate chips

1. The first part is the worst: drain and rinse the beans, and then peel off the peels. Just squeeze a bit and you'll feel them come off, be careful though they started shooting everywhere at first.
2. Once you get through the peeling misery, put the beans in a food processor with all the other ingredients except the chips. You can add the milk in as you mix up the ingredients to make it smoother.
3. Fold the chips in and mix well.
4. Roll the dough into balls and line them on parchment paper in the oven at 400 degrees F.
5. Wait till they brown. Remember this is a vegan product so they tend to be a bit raw on the inside, but the chips nicely melt into the balls and taste divine.