Ah, Valentine’s Day, our annual salute to the universal theme of love, to those we cherish, and the sweet things in life. So perhaps it’s only fitting that the sentiments of love’s celebratory day takes the form of pretty heart-shaped boxes loaded with sweets and decadent, post-dinner, chocolate desserts. Who doesn’t love such yummy treats?

While our taste-buds thrill to the prospect of sweets, for most of us, they can really do a number on our waistlines. Making matters worse, all that sugar messes with the bacterial balance in our gut. The result? All that ‘love’ (in sugar form) winds up starving our good bacteria and feeding our unfriendly microbes, giving the bad guys a mid-winter leg up right when we need our gut and immunity at their strongest!

This Valentine’s Day, instead of beating up your good belly bacteria with bad stuff, how about showing them some love by feeding them a delicious, decadent treat they’ll thrive on and your taste buds will enjoy. If the answer is ‘Yes, please!’ then try this super-satisfying recipe for Swift Black Bean Brownies. They’re a sweet (but not too sweet!) guilt-free way to indulge and celebrate the day with everyone you love.

Here’s how to whip up a batch for your sweeties:

Swift Black Bean Brownies

Rich in taste and nutrition with a boost of protein, fiber and antioxidants for the loves of your life!

1-15.5 ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
3 eggs
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
½ cup gluten free raw oats
2 tablespoons blackstrap molasses
¼ cup pure maple syrup
2 tsp. maple extract (or vanilla extract)
Optional but recommended: About ½ cup chocolate chips to mix through your batter and ½ cup chopped walnuts

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
Grease and/or line an 8×8″ baking dish and set aside.
Place all ingredients except for the chocolate chips and walnuts in a food processor and process until smooth. Stir in your chocolate chips and walnuts if desired.
Bake for 20 minutes or until a knife inserted into the center of the brownies removes clean.