Dark Chocolate Hummus

This sweet treat is a quick, easy and healthy fix for a chocolate craving.

It takes about 5 minutes to make and is even lighter than traditional hummus because it contains no olive oil or tahini.  It is a great way to get kids, (or spouses), to eat beans – and it is very low in sugar- or sugar free, depending on how you choose to make it.

Oh- and it’s delicious too.  An all around WIN!

What you need:

1 ½ cups cooked, or a 15oz can of drained and well-rinsed black beans (or garbanzo beans)

3 Tbs  maple syrup (adjust to your own taste and/or use a sugar substitute of your choice)

½ tsp vanilla extract

4 Tbs unsweetened cocoa powder.  (Use what you prefer.  I went with Special Dark)

2 Tbs (more or less as needed) water or almond milk

How to prepare & enjoy:

Combine all but water/almond milk in bowl of food processor of high-powered blender.

Pulse a few times and then blend until smooth, adding the water or almond milk as small amount at a time until you reach the consistency you are looking for.  A lighter cocoa and almond milk with give more of a milk chocolate flavor, while the darker cocoas and water will taste more like dark chocolate.

If you use a powdered sweetener such as granulated sugar or a sugar substitute, expect to add more liquid to smooth the hummus to make up for the liquid nature of the maple syrup.

Get creative and experiment by adding espresso powder, cinnamon, nut butters, coconut, or even chiles!

Great with berries or pretzels – or even just a spoon!