Black Bean Ginger Bread Bars

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups cooked black beans or 1 (15 oz.) can drained and rinsed
• 1/2 cup gluten free flour or almond flour
• 1/4 cup melted coconut oil
• 3/4 cup coconut sugar maple syrup or honey
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract I prefer alcohol free
• 1 tablespoon blackstrap molasses
• 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup hemp seeds for topping optional

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350oF and line a 9-inch square baking dish with parchment paper.
2. In the bowl of a large food processor fitted with an “S” blade, combine the black beans, flour, oil, sugar, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, salt, baking soda, vanilla, molasses, and vinegar. Process until a smooth batter is formed.
3. Pour the batter into the lined baking dish and sprinkle the top with the tablespoon of coconut sugar and hemp seeds, if desired. Bake until the top feels firm to a light touch, about 25 to 30 minutes. Cool completely before removing the bars from the pan and slicing.
4. These bars will keep well at room temperature for up to 48 hours tightly covered, but for best shelf life keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.