Double Chocolate Spinach Brownies

January is Spinach Month at Veggie Buds Club and we are excited to bring you this delicious way to indulge in spinach from Heather at Happy Kids Kitchen! You can find more kid-friendly spinach recipes and activities that are guaranteed to make spinach tasty for your kiddos in our Facebook Group, request to join here.

This recipe was developed by Heather Staller, a mom of two boys, ages 6 and 4, and cooking instructor specializing in bringing cooking into preschool classrooms. After college, Heather knew she wanted to be a teacher, but first followed her lifelong dream of going to culinary school. Teaching cooking combines both of her passions, and she truly enjoys introducing young children to the joys of cooking with fresh ingredients. Find Heather on Instagram (@heather.happykidskitchen), where she shares inventive kid-friendly recipes and ideas for cooking with kids at home.

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Double Chocolate Spinach Brownies

These chocolate treats are so yummy no one will know they are packed with protein, fiber, and nutrients from black beans and spinach. Even though you can’t taste the spinach it is really important that your child helps make this recipe so you aren’t hiding the veggies. Maybe making brownies with spinach will entice your little one to try spinach in other ways.

Makes 9 Brownies
INGREDIENTS

• 1 can black beans (15 oz), rinsed and drained well
  
• 2 cups baby spinach
  
• 2 large eggs or flax “eggs”
  
• 1/4 cup oil
  
• 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
  
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  
• 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
  
• 1/4 cup coconut sugar or other granulated sweetener
  
• 1/4 cup plus 2 Tablespoons quick oats or 1/4 cup flour (any kind)
  
• 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips, divided

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease or line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
   
2. Add all ingredients to a food processor, reserving half of the chocolate chips for the top. Blend until smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to make sure everything is incorporated then blend again if necessary.
   
3. Spread batter into the prepared baking pan then sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips on top. Bake until set, about 25 minutes. Cool then cut into squares.