Prep Time : 5min
Cook Time : 20min
Ingredients:
Cooking spray
1 can (15oz) chickpeas (rinsed and drained)
1/2 cup all natural almond butter or peanut butter
1/3 cup pure maple syrup or agave nectar (you could use honey if you aren't vegan)
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/3 cup vegan (or regular) chocolate chips plus 2 tbsp
Sea salt, for sprinkling
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350F and spray 8x8 inch pan with cooking spray. Alternatively line the pan with parchment paper if you don't have spray.
2. In a food processor, all all the ingredients except the chocolate chips and process until smooth. Hint: if you heat the chickpeas with hot water or in the microwave for 25-30 seconds they will purée easier.
3. Once smooth, fold 1/3 cup chocolate chips into the batter
4. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan then sprinkle the remaining 2 tbsp of chocolate chips on top. Hint: spray your spatula with cooking spray to avoid batter sticking to it as you spread.
5. Bake for 20-25 min or until toothpick comes out clean and edges are slightly brown. The batter may look underdone but you don't want them to dry out.
6. Cool pan for 20 min on a wire rack. Sprinkle with sea salt and cut into squares.
An 8x8 pan makes 16 - 1 inch squares
Note: adding an egg to the batter will make it more cake-like but not vegan. You can use your favourite nut butter, just make sure it's all natural (Wow Butter works!). Add in other things like nuts, dried fruit or other types of chocolate.
Check out www.ambitiouskitchen.com for more recipes like this!!
