Black bean chocolate cake with Avocado frosting

Okay, stick with me on this one!  Not only is it gluten free and void of all processed sugars, it's also super tasty and "kind of" good for you.  Hey, at least you won't feel guilty when you end up eating half the cake all by yourself!

It's like the LBD of desserts: it can be dressed up fancy with some berries and honeycomb and a glass of champagne, or it can be eaten right from the pan with a plastic fork and a can of Coors.  I'll admit, I've done both.

So here it is, and as always, complete with nutrition facts:

Recipe makes 9 pieces, and the cake typically only needs 1/2 the batch of frosting (save the rest for snacking!).  Per serving with frosting: 246 cal, 33g carbs, 5g fiber, 8g protein, 12g fat.  If you omit the frosting: 207 cal, 25g carbs, 3g fiber, 7g protein, 10g fat.

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Black bean chocolate cake with Avocado Frosting

FOR THE CAKE:

• 1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
• 5 eggs
•  1/2 c. local honey + 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1 Tbsp vanilla
• 6 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 6 Tbsp butter, room temperature

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees and prepare a 9x9 square pan or equivalent sized round pan by lightly greasing the sides.  If you're planning to remove the cake and decorate you may wish to line the pan with parchment as well.
2. Add beans, eggs, honey, vanilla, and 1/4 tsp baking soda to blender (I like my old Cuisinart).  Blend thoroughly.
3. Add cocoa powder, baking powder and baking soda and blend well.
4. Finally, add butter and blend until all incorporated.  
5. Pour batter into the pan.  It will be quite thin.
6. Bake for 30-40 mins until the center is just set.  Allow to cool completely.

FOR THE FROSTING:

• 1 ripe avocado
• 1/2 c. maple syrup
• 1/2 c. unsweetened cocoa powder

1. Cut avocado in half and remove its pit.  Scoop into mixer along with syrup and cocoa powder.
2. Blend thoroughly, scraping down the sides occasionally.  You will know it's done when you see no evidence of green avocado, and it will look just like a thick chocolate frosting.
3. Frost the cake! (or eat by the spoonful!)