What? Heart healthy brownies? Oh yeah! The ingredients are not exactly conventional, but I've had great reviews from both children and adults with this recipe.

Ingredients
– 1/2 cup butter (optional, you can swap this for double the portion of bean puree)
– 1/2 cup bean puree (see below)
– 3/4 cup cocoa powder
– 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
– 1 cup sugar ( optional again, but without the sugar, the texture will be quite different. Double the applesauce if you're omitting the sugar)
– 3/4 tsp salt
– 3 eggs
– 1 tsp vanilla
– 1 cup flour
– 1 cup chocolate chips
– 1 cup chopped roasted nuts, optional

Bean puree: drain and rinse a 15.5 oz can of beans. Place in a blender or food processor with just enough water to make a smooth paste, about 1/4 c of water. This should make approximately 1 cup of bean puree.

Instructions:

1.) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
2.) Melt butter (if using) and mix with bean puree, cocoa, sugar, and salt.
3.) Add eggs one at a time.
4.) Mix in vanilla, flour, chocolate chips, and nuts.
5.) Bake in a greased 9 x 13 inch pan for 25 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

Why is this recipe heart healthy? Even if you use the butter and sugar, this recipe has half of the butter and sugar as a typical brownie recipe. The beans used are high in soluble fiber which helps lower cholesterol, and applesauce is a less sweet alternative to sugar which has fiber and vitamins. The cocoa powder is very high in flavanol antioxidants as well! Now I wouldn't exactly eat these brownies for dinner, but they surely can make your Valentine's Day a little healthier!

Marina Bedrossian is a Northport, NY dietitian nutritionist who helps people with holistic nutrition solutions and food sensitivities. Visit this page to schedule an appointment and don’t forget to join the private Facebook group “Ingredients For Healthy Families” more information here.