Chocolate Chickpea Brownies

I know, I know, you are saying “What?” chickpeas in a dessert? Yes, that is right! With their high amounts of calcium, iron, protein and fibre, chickpeas are a much healthier option than using flour. These brownies are simple to make and really taste great.

This is the perfect dessert to make at the drop of a hat when you need something low key to serve, take to a potluck, or offer as a treat with coffee or tea. They also taste fabulous with red wine!

I have been making these brownies for a couple of years now. I’m not sure why they haven’t made my blog yet, but it is high time I share the recipe with you. They are a mix of two recipes I found.

I made them three times in the last couple of weeks. Once when we were away in Saskatchewan visiting family and we were plum out of desserts. Imagine that! My sister-in-law had made two delicious plant-based Chocolate Peanut Butter Pies and the 10 of us had scarfed through those within the the first two dinners. By Sunday night we had nothing for dessert! That can’t be a thing when family gets together, so we had to come up with something easy. My two daughters and my sister-in-law and I were all working in the kitchen together prepping dinner and my 15 year old whipped these up in a few minutes. All you need are a few simple ingredients, a Vitamix or other good blender or food processor and a loaf pan!

I don’t know about you, but everytime I’m in the kitchen working with a friend or my sister in law, I always think we should be sister wives. Not in a weird “my husband has two wives” way, but imagine how much easier and how more fun having someone to cook and clean with everyday would be! Don’t get me wrong, my hubby is great at doing the dishes, but it’s just not the same.

Summer is finally here and likely you will have people coming and going in your house for the next couple of months. Maybe you can sneak a little more goodness into their food without them even knowing. I promise these will not disappoint. They are gooey and moist and the cocoa nibs on top add the best crunch! You could even make a couple to freeze and pop them out when that surprise Okanagan visitor drops in!

If you do make them, please come back and leave a comment below. I guarantee they will not last long!

Chocolate Chickpea Brownies

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Serves: 10-12 Prep Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 1 hour 1 hour

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

• 1 can (398 ml) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 cup peanut butter (you can substitute almond butter, or any other nut butter you enjoy)
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• pinch salt
• 2/3 cup dark chocolate chips (vegan), reserve 1/8 cup for the top if you like or blend them all in)
• 2 tablespoons cocoa nibs (add a great crunch)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a loaf pan with parchment paper.
2. In a Vitamix, high speed blender or food processor, combine all ingredients except for the chocolate chips.  Blend until well mixed.  The consistency will look slightly lumpy and a bit like hummus. 
3. Stir in chocolate chips, conserving between an 1/8 cup for the top.
4. Pour the batter into the pan and smooth it out evenly.  Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips and cocoa nibs on top.  
5. Bake for 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.  
6. Cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then lift the entire dessert out in the parchment paper and cool on a rack. 
7. Delicious warm or cool, with or without a plant-based ice cream or fruit.   

 

www.thevibrantveggie.com

Notes

This recipe can also be made without the cocoa powder for a blonde version of a brownie. I guess you could then call it a blondie!