Bean & Maple Syrup Bars

Submitted by Mary Jenny

"Two classic Canadian ingredients come together to make this delectable dessert. Don't feel too guilty for indulging — using beans in your baking ups the protein and fibre content and adds important vitamins and minerals you wouldn't normally find in a sweet treat. Nutrition information (for 1 bar): Energy 271 kcal; protein 4 g; fat 14 g; carbohydrates 34 g; total dietary fibre 1.6 g; sodium 96 mg."

 

• Ready In: 10mins
• Ingredients: 11
• Serves: 24

ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1⁄2 cup butter, cut into pieces, at room temperature
• 1 1⁄2 cups white pea beans, soaked and cooked or 1 1/2 cups canned in water, drained and rinsed
• 2⁄3 cup maple syrup
• 3 eggs
• 1⁄2 cup brown sugar
• 1⁄2 cup melted butter
• 1 cup pecans, chopped
• 2 ounces semisweet chocolate (optional)
• 24 pecan halves (optional)

directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. In a food processor or mixing bowl, combine flour and sugar. Add butter pieces and pulse or cut in until crumbly. Transfer into a greased 9x13” pan and press evenly into bottom. Set aside.
3. Filling: In a food processor or blender, purée beans and maple syrup. When smooth, add the eggs, sugar, and butter and blend well.
4. Sprinkle chopped pecans evenly over base, then pour filling over top. Bake for 30 minutes or until set in the middle and lightly browned. Cool to room temperature.5. In a double boiler, melt chocolate over barely simmering water. Drizzle chocolate over bars in a criss-cross pattern. Refrigerate bars until chocolate has set. Cut into triangles and garnish each one with a pecan half.