Protein Chocolate Fudge Is Your New Favorite Dessert

*Courtesy of Running On Veggies

Since the end of October I have been traveling back and forth from NYC to Boulder, Colo. If you have been following me on Instagram, you’ve gotten a sneak peek of a bigger picture that is about to come! It includes lots of recipes that I have been making for Kara Goucher. Kara is training for the Olympic Trials Marathon. I have been privileged to live with Kara when I am in Boulder. My goal has been to help Kara tweak her food intake so that she can recover faster and feel strong but light-footed on her runs. I have also been cooking dinners, desserts and everything in between. Kara and her family reap the benefits of my experimentation in their kitchen!

It is pretty much a dream come true that I have gotten to live in Boulder—the mecca of training for triathlons and so many other sports! Nothing makes me happier than helping athletes reach their goals and, more importantly, teaching them the proper way to eat. I am constantly promoting the message that becoming a leaner marathoner does not mean eating less. If anything it means you need to eat more of the right foods. This is one of my main principles back home in my health coaching practice.

As Kara logs upward of 100 miles a week and builds up quite an appetite, it has become my job to have healthy options on hand when she returns home, not only to satisfy but also to get some quality nutrition into her body.

Related: Dark Chocolate Sweet Potato Brownies

The Black Bean Fudge was born. It is packed with protein, healthy fats and complex carbs. It has become one of mine and Kara’s favorite late night treats. It’s just as soft and fudgy as your standard fudge but doesn’t have quite the same ingredient list. At first I thought to log it in my file of secret favorite recipes but then I decided that this recipe was too good not to share!

I use AboutTime Vegan Protein powder, which is vegan and stevia sweetened – a must for me when picking protein powder. I really like baking with AboutTime because it is not grainy and has such a nice smooth flavor. It offers the perfect sweetness to my recipes without overpowering them. Since black beans also offer so much protein, this recipe is the perfect recovery snack. I love being able to eat fudge and know that I’m really eating beans. And you would never know!

Protein Chocolate Fudge

• 1 16 oz can of black beans (rinsed very well)
• 1 1/2 cup pitted dates (soaked in warm water for 10 minutes to soften)
• 1/2 cup pure cocoa powder
• 1/4-1/2 cup AboutTime Protein Powder
• 1/4 cup nut butter
• 1 1/2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon espresso powder (optional)

Optional Add-ins:

• 3/4 nuts
• 1/4 chocolate chips

1. In a food processor combine beans, dates, cocoa powder, protein powder, nut butter, coconut oil, vanilla extract and espresso powder. Process until smooth and creamy. You may need to stop the machine and scrape it down a few times before you continue processing.
2. If adding in the optional ingredients, you can throw them into the food processor to combine them with the mixture. You want the nuts slightly chopped but chunky, so don’t over process.
3. Line a 9 inch pyrex with parchment paper (this will make it easier to pop them out), making sure the paper is coming over the edge. Spread mixture evenly into pyrex.
4. Freeze for 1 hour or refrigerate for 3-4 hours. Remove fudge from pyrex and cut into evenly sized small squares. I got around 24-26 squares
5. Store in the freezer to preserve longer (will last 4 plus weeks!) or the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Related: These Blondies Are Surprisingly Healthy