Written by Rachel, Contributing Writer
Everyone loves brownies or at least everyone that I know. There is something about that rich, chocolate-y, fudge-y taste. Most brownies are about 400+ calories per serving, loaded with unhealthy fats and are carb rich most of the time.
For a while, I have been wanting to try black bean brownies but I was skeptical that they would actually taste good. After looking through several recipes, I decided to make my own batch. While making them and smelling the aroma while they baked in the oven, the house smelled delicious! However, I was still a scared-y cat to try them once they were finished… needed to see someone else eat them first.
My kids tried them and loved them! My hubby tried one and he said “aren’t you going to try one?” I did after hesitating for a couple seconds and they truly are good, not GREAT like the bad brownies we’re used to but they would definitely satisfy a chocolate craving. After my husband and I ate ours, we discussed ways to make them have a more traditional feel/taste toward them and decided that adding a gluten free flour and chopped up walnuts into the batter would make them even more tasty!
If you’re like me, you just have to get over the weirdness of it!
- 1 can of 16 ounces of organic black beans, or cooked soaked beans
- ¾ cup Sucanat (or sweetener of your choice)
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- ⅓ cup cocoa powder
- 3 eggs
- 1½ tablespoons pure vanilla (if you have homemade that would be best, I'm going to be making some myself very soon!)
- pinch of salt
- chocolate chips (optional)
- walnuts (optional)
- For a more cake-like brownie, add ⅔ cup flour (gluten free or whole wheat) and ¼ cup water
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Ingredients![]()
Key Step: Rinse the beans - *you don't want to be having a beany taste while eating these*
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Mix ingredients in a food processor or a blender ![]()
Mix well, you don't want beany chunks, do ya?![]()
Add optional toppings and place in preheated oven at 350 degrees![]()
All done!
- The first thing you need to do is to rinse your canned or cooked beans thoroughly. This is extremely important as you don't want that beany liquid taste!
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Next, you pour the beans, eggs, vanilla, coconut oil, sucanat, and cocoa powder into a food processor or blender.
- Blend until smooth, add the pinch of salt (and flour and water if you want to add it) and pulse until well mixed.
- Grease your a 8x8 baking dish with coconut oil and pour batter into dish.
- Top with optional walnuts and chocolate chips.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until middle is done.
- Cool before serving and enjoy!
Stephanie’s note: I can attest to the fact that these brownies are GOOD! Are you looking for other healthy treat ideas for this Valentine’s Day, or just to replace conventional treats in general? Check out the recipe eBooks Smart Sweets and Treat Yourself: Real Food Desserts. Both are full of delicious sweet recipes, made with whole, unrefined ingredients.
Have you ever made a dessert with non-traditional ingredients?
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