With the Holiday season arriving, it’s no secret that the amount of sweet treats and snacks increases. No matter where you are, there is sure to be a tasty treat within reach. So, how are you possibly supposed to make sure your kids eat healthy during the holidays? Well, it may be easier than you think.

At Today’s Family, we meet the requirements of the Canadian Food Guide with every meal and snack we feed the kids in our care. We also believe in compromise.

Today we are taking an classic Today’s Family recipe and putting a twist on it. Using Chef Yvonne’s black bean brownie recipe, we will add a few extra ingredients and turn them into mini elf hats! They’re a delicious way to celebrate the holidays while still making sure you’re serving your kids a treat that’s packed with iron, protein and vitamins.

Things you’ll need

• 1 ½ cups canned black beans, drained, rinsed and mashed
• ¾ whole-wheat flour
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
• 3 tbsp canola oil
• 2 tsp vanilla
• ¼ cup miniature semi-sweet chocolate chips
• Whipped cream
• Strawberries
• Green food colouring (optional)

Instructions

Step One:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (or 180°C). Line an 8” (20 cm) square baking pan with foil. Make sure to leave a 2-inch overhang at opposite ends (this helps when removing your brownies from the pan later). Lightly spray the foil with a non-stick cooking spray.

Step Two:

In a large bowl, combine beans, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt. With a wooden spoon, stir in the eggs, sugar, applesauce, oil and vanilla until well combined. Stir in your chocolate chips. Pour batter into your pan. You can use a regular square pan, a muffin tin, or a two-bite brownie pan. Just make sure you keep an eye on them while they’re baking.

Step Three:

Bake for 30-35 mins. Insert a toothpick into the center of your brownies and remove it – if just a few moist crumbs are stuck to it your brownies are done! Make sure you don’t overbake. Let your brownies cool in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, use the foil overhangs as handles, remove brownies from the pan and transfer onto a cutting board, then cut into squares.

Step Four:

Empty whipped cream into a small bowl and add food colouring (we used green but feel free to use any colour, or skip this step altogether).  Mix until colour is even throughout. Place whipped cream into a ziploc bag. Cut a small opening in bottom corner of bag and use this as a piping bag.

Wash strawberries and cut off the stems. Place a small amount of whipped cream onto the brownie (for your elf hat’s fuzzy lining) and put a strawberry on top. Then a small dot at the top of strawberry (for the iconic pom pom).

Enjoy!

There you have it! A festive holiday treat that you can prepare and enjoy with the help of your kitchen elves.

What holiday goodies are you making for your family this season? Do your kids help you in the kitchen? Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter! 

If you’re on the lookout for some more delicious treat ideas keep your eye out for the Today’s Family cookbook which is coming out early 2018!

Until next time, Happy Holidays!

-Today’s Family