Amanda Cabot's Almost Healthy Brownies

 From the time that she was seven, Amanda Cabot dreamed of becoming a published author, but it was only when she set herself the goal of selling a book by her thirtieth birthday that the dream came true.  A former director of Information Technology, Amanda has written everything from technical books and articles for IT professionals to mysteries for teenagers and romances for all ages.  She’s delighted to now be a full time writer of Christian historical romances.  Her Texas Dreams trilogy received critical acclaim; Christmas Roses was a CBA bestseller; and Waiting for Spring, the second in her Westward Winds series, was released earlier this year. Learn more about Amanda and her books at: www.amandacabot.com

About Amanda's latest book release: 

A new identity may protect her family—but can it protect her heart?

After the loss of her husband and the birth of her baby, Charlotte has had a long, hard year. But she can find no rest from the ghosts of the past and flees to Cheyenne to put the pieces of her life back together.

Wealthy cattle baron and political hopeful Barrett Landry must make a sensible match if he is to be elected senator of the soon-to-be state of Wyoming. He needs someone with connections. Someone without a past. Yet he can’t shake the feeling that Charlotte holds the key to his heart and his future. Will Charlotte and Barrett find the courage to look love in the face? Or will their fears blot out any chance for happiness?

Amanda's Recipe for Almost Healthy Brownies

I’ll admit it: I believe that chocolate is one of the essential food groups, but I also try to make and serve healthy meals.  That’s why I was excited when I saw a brownie recipe that featured extra protein and fiber.  I tweaked it to make it low-fat and was delighted with the results.  It has the bonus of being very easy to make.

Grease and flour a 9x13 pan.  (I use a floured spray like Baker’s Joy^TM.)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Fit a food processor with the steel knife and process until smooth:

1 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed (Let them air dry for a while so the brownies aren’t too moist.)
1 cup unsweetened applesauce

4 egg whites

2/3 cup cocoa

1 cup white sugar

2 tsp instant coffee granules (to enhance the chocolate flavor)

2 tsp vanilla

Pulse five to six times until mixed:

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 tsp baking powder

½ tsp salt

Spread in prepared pan and bake 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Cool, cut and enjoy.