You may have first met magnesium on the label of your favorite sports drink; as an essential electrolyte for activity, it’s often added to such beverages. Moreover, over the past few years, research has demonstrated a that magnesium is a necessary ingredient to relax the muscles during exercise.

These brownies features both cocoa and black beans, two ingredients rich in magnesium. While they bake, learn all about what magnesium can do for you as an athlete in my exhaustive article.

Good-for-You Brownie Thins

 Makes 28 thins

Ingredients

¾ cup black beans (nutrition facts is for low-sodium canned beans)
¼ cup olive oil
¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
2 eggs
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/3 cup sugar
1 tsp instant coffee
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 cup soy flour
½ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp sea salt
1 Tbsp dark chocolate chips

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Generously coat a 10 x 14 baking sheet (and edges) with oil.*
2. In blender, puree beans, oil and applesauce. When smooth, add the eggs, cocoa, coffee and vanilla, and blend on medium until smooth.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together baking powder, flour and salt. Add to blender and pulse until incorporated.
4. Add chocolate chips and pulse 5 times (for 1 second each)
5. Spread batter on sheet and move sheet until batter is evenly distributed over the entire sheet.
6. Bake for 16-20 minutes or until top is firm (or test with toothpick so that batter is cooked in the middle)
7. Let cool for 10 minutes before cutting. Top with fresh fruit.

*For thicker brownies, use a smaller baking dish. Oil on baking dish is not included in nutrition info.

Nutritional information per brownie: 44 calories, 2.6 g fat, 15 mg cholesterol, 4.5 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 44 mg sodium, 2.8 g sugar, 1.4 g protein, 12 mg calcium, 8 mg magnesium