UPDATE 08-09-2020: The brand used in this recipe is no longer in business. I will create a replacement and list it here soon.
I invited you all to join me in the My Plant-Based Family Facebook group. We’ve been having a daily accountability check in! It’s been fun seeing what everyone is doing to stay on track.
Buying and preparing the right foods is crucial to eating healthy. For me, that means eating mostly unprocessed foods and that when I do eat something that is processed, it uses healthy ingredients.
When I’m eating the healthiest, it’s because I’m prioritizing food prep. That doesn’t necessarily mean batch cooking, although you can do that if it works for you. That means if I’m going to eat something, I’m going to take the time to make it. Usually, I’ll make extra so I can have leftovers.
That also means I can’t deprive myself. I’m not someone who can function if I’m hungry. I’m not a nibble on some carrot sticks all day kind of girl. I need food, preferably beans or potatoes or both.
My kids are like me, except there is no end to their eating. They are always hungry and almost always eating. We rotate through standard snacks between meals like fruit, smoothies, popcorn, etc. Sometimes I surprise them with treats that make me the best mom in the world. Treats like these donuts!
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Let me let you in on a secret, these donuts are really black bean brownies bites. I’m so tricky! Go ahead and insert evil villain laugh.
See, I used to make all my gluten-free treats from scratch. I needed several types of flour, leavening agents, egg replacers and other ingredients that practically took up a whole shelf in my pantry. I don’t have that kind of real estate. Then when I went to actually bake, one of my flours would be past its expiration date.
I had had enough and decided to stick with mixes. It was so much easier to bake when I didn’t have to worry about all of the ingredients. The hard part was finding a mix that was actually healthy.
I discovered Zemas Madhouse brand of mixes this year and was pleasantly surprised when I read the ingredient list. They read like actual ingredients you would buy if you cooked from scratch. You can’t say that about most mixes.
Their mixes are vegan, gluten-free, top 8 allergen free and non-gmo!
I decided to take their Ancient Whole Grain Black Bean Brownie Bites mix and give it a try! WOW! No one would believe there were beans in the mix!
Then I took it a step further and transformed them into donuts. All you need is a donut pan. That’s right, these are baked, not fried.
Did you think it was possible to get a baking mix that was full of good for you ancient whole grains, no fillers and are top eight allergen free, rice free and corn free?
Try making these donuts (or the mini-muffin form) the next time you need to take a treat to a get-together!
Secretly Healthy Double Chocolate Donuts
You’d never guess these donuts (or mini muffins) are healthy! Shhh…don’t tell your family they contain ancient grains and black beans, they would never guess!
- 1 box Zemas Madhouse Foods Black Bean Brownie Bites Mix
- ½ cup canned black beans, rinsed
- 3 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 10 ounces of water
- ¼ cup dairy-free mini chocolate chips (optional)
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Spray cooking oil into the donut (or mini muffin pan) and set aside.
- In a blender, puree black beans, vanilla, and water; set aside.
- Pour entire mix into a bowl and add liquid mixture, combine thoroughly.
- Fill donut pan (or muffin cups) ¾ full.
- Bake for 12 minutes, Cool for 10 minutes on a baking rack.
Store leftovers in an airtight container or freeze in individual servings for easy snacking.
Don’t forget the glaze for the top of donuts. It’s the easiest thing ever!
Simply melt 1/4 cup dairy-free chocolate chips and 1/4 cup of your favorite peanut butter (or peanut butter alternative) in a small bowl and stir. That is all. You get a thick and rich glaze that is delicious on donuts, strawberries, pancakes, banana bread and anywhere else you want a rich, chocolate treat.