Pop-able Black Bean Brownies

 

I love small, pop-able, treats. My mind works in the sense that if I can have more of one thing it's more satisfied. So mini versions of food are a go-to thing. 

Pop-able brownies are hard to resist. One thinks, "hey, they are the smaller than a regular brownies so it can't hurt to have a few." Well unfortunately that is not the case.
Costco's Kirkland brand brownie bites run you 130 calories a brownie bite and Trader Joe's Brownie bites will cost you 190 calories for 2!

So those adorable little treats turn into a healthy foodie's nightmare.
But have no fear, the black bean is here. 
I was overjoyed when the foodie world discovered a way to make brownies--along with many other treats--healthy by subbing in black beans.

My first attempt were Andes Peppermint Black Bean brownies, and my oh my, were they fudgey, chocolate, minty bliss.

Yet, they still contained flour (still not edible for my gluten free friends), and quite a bit of sugar.
So I did some foodie experimenting and created these delectable, pop-able, 29 cal a piece, brownie bites.

 So go ahead, laugh in Trader Joe's face and eat 4-- you'll only be at 116 cal...

(Gluten free, Dairy Free)

Ingredients:
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed (~1 1/2 cups)
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup cocoa powder
3 packets truvia (1/4 cup sugar or honey/agave)
1/4 cup honey or agave
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder* updated!
1 tsp vanilla

Directions:
Preheat oven 350 F.
Blend all ingredients in a food processor or high powered blender until smooth and creamy.
Non stick a mini muffin tin.
Fill each compartment with  1 tbs of mixture.
Bake for 8 min.
Let cool in pan for 3 min. 
Pop them out of pan by gently tapping back of pan or scooping out with a spoon.

Let cool for another 5 min to allow them to firm up in the center.

Sprinkle with a bit of powdered sugar if desired.

ENJOY!!!!

 Nutrition Information

 Serving: 1 cookie

29 cal * 7 carbs * 0g sat fat * 1g protein *1g fiber

Brownie Bits: For your Ice Cream!

Ice cream can really hit the spot when you have sweet craving but don't want to feel weighed down by the cakes, cookies, and bakes. 

And now days, you can buy healthy ice cream, or better yet, frozen yogurt, with half the sugar/fat and never feel the guilt (just look out for the fake additives in some of them).

BUT, I also love ice cream with other dessert things in them...brownie bites, cookie dough, gummy bears...okay, I add those in myself...but really, having something to nibble on while you swivel cold creamy sweet ice in mouth is a wonderful experience.

But alas, those fillings come with a heavy calorie price that add up REALLY fast--No matter how healthy you try to buy your ice cream.

So I made an alternative.

This delectable alternative came when I was craving chocolate and ice cream at the same time (yes, it can happen). 
In my freezer I had all natural strawberry and slow churned vanilla bean: two great combos for chocolate. However, I didn't have any chocolate sauce to drizzle and really wanted some more "bite" to my dessert.

So I made my bites, swirled them into a cup of the two ice creams and enjoyed each bite with a bit of chocolate brownie bliss.

Mhmm.

Ingredients
1-2 tbs cocoa powder (More powder equals larger bits)
1 tsp + more almond milk
1 tsp coconut oil


Directions:
Place all ingredients in a small bowl or cup and mix very well. The mixture will clump up but should still be gooey.
I popped mine in the microwave for ~20 sec.
Add more milk if you want it more runny.
Then plop mixture on top of ice cream.
Mix well.
The brownie mixture will harden upon contact with ice cream making each bite full of delicious brownie bits for you to enjoy.

                                                            ENJOY!!!!

                                       up next: cookie dough bites! oh yeah.