Black Bean Brownies with Strawberry Topping

original recipe found on Allrecipes.com

After our wild and crazy long weekend, including a birthday date, birthday surprise, graduation party, Memorial day picnic, and a bout of mastitis....I think it's time for me to put up a yummy dessert recipe! (Don't worry, I made it a healthy one!)

1 can black beans, rinsed and drained (15.5oz)
3 eggs
1 TBS. ground flax seed
2 TBS. olive oil
1/4 C. cocoa powder
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3/4 C. white sugar
pinch of salt

Add all ingredients to a blender. Blend until mixed well (there will be small black flecks still, from the bean skins). Pour mixture into a greased 8x8 pan and bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes.

These brownies have a little bit of a different texture (they are a lot less cake/cookie like, because of the lack of flour), but they are still really yummy. Plus, they are gluten-, dairy- and soy-free....if that stuff matters to you. (I used that as an excuse to let 9 month old Gizmo eat some!) If you don't even tell your kids that these brownies are made from black beans...they won't know the difference!

Apparently, most people top these yummy brownies with chocolate chips. I, personally, prefer my brownies made into s'mores brownies by adding hot fudge, crushed graham crackers and marshmallow fluff. But, I actually decided to be a bit more healthy instead, and made this Strawberry Topping:

1lbs. strawberries, hulled and quartered (fresh is always best, but you can also use frozen)
3/4 C. white sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Put all the ingredients into a medium sized pot on medium heat. Mash the strawberries a bit with a masher or a fork. Stir frequently for about 5 minutes, until the sugar appears melted and the mixture thickens a bit. Spoon over your yummy brownies!