Recipe makeover: Heart-healthy black-bean brownies

By Caitlyn Elf

There's really no denying the allure of brownies. Fudgy, gooey, and filled with decadent chocolate flavor-it's pretty impossible to pass one up when offered. Luckily, I've put my skills to the test and have managed to create a heart-healthy recipe that's not only guilt free but, one could argue, actually good for you!

Health.com: How to make chocolate a healthy indulgence

Using this recipe for completely indulgent Chocolate Fudge Brownies, follow the four simple substitutions I made below and you'll be in ooey, gooey brownie heaven, complete with all the flavor and none of the guilt!

Health.com: Simple swaps to cut 500 calories

Ingredient substitutions:
• 1 cup butter, softened - I replaced this with one 15-ounce can of black beans, a common substitution in vegan baking and a heart-healthy option as well.
• 4 large eggs - I substituted 2 large bananas. (This yields a strong banana flavor, so if you're not a huge banana fan, I would suggest substituting at least one of the bananas with a flax egg instead: 1 tablespoon ground flax seeds mixed with 2 to 3 tablespoons water per 1 egg.)
• 2 cups sugar - I halved the amount of sugar in this recipe, as I was getting plenty of natural sweetness from the banana substitute.
• 1 cup all-purpose flour - I pulsed 1 cup of oats in a food processor to bump up the heart-healthy factor even more.

Health.com: What can you make with a can of black beans?