Fast & Easy Melt-in-Your Mouth Chocolate Squares (a.k.a. black bean brownies-don't tell the kids)

One 15 oz. can black beans, drained and well-rinsed
3 large eggs
3 Tbsp. canola oil
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. baking powder
pinch salt
1/2 cup mini or regular chocolate ships, divided
optional, 1/2 tsp. peppermint extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 8x8 baking pan with nonstick pan spray

Put beans in food processor and process until smooth and creamy. Add everything else except chocolate chips and process until smooth. (or put ingredients in blender and blend until smooth and creamy) Add 1/4 cup chips and pulse a few times until broken up a bit. Pour batter in pan and sprinkle with remaining chips.

Bake 30-35 minutes or until edges start to pull away and toothpick in center comes out clean. Cool in pan before cutting.

**Notes: No Gluten! Some prefer to add 1/2 cup all purpose flour. You can use mashed banana instead of oil. One can of beans equals 1-1/2 cups if you cook your own (divide a big batch into 1-1/2 cup portions to freeze)
Another option is to puree one can of black beans with liquid and use it with brownie mix instead of oil, eggs and water, just dry mix and bean puree for high-fiber and protein, lower fat fudge brownies. For lower sodium, rinse beans and replace liquid with water (about 1/2 cup).