Black Bean Brownies

To the right is a beautiful disaster I tried while snowed in last week.  Other people were making it so I tried it too.  Black bean fudge.  It was a thing a beauty, so velvety soft you wanted to dive in face first.

I should have known better.  It was packed full of fake sugar and I should not have been surprised when I bit in to a small piece and it tasted like sugar alcohol and oil.  My palate is no longer tuned to fake sugars and I should have known it would be a mistake.

Even with this waste of precious ingredients taunting me, I knew in my heart of hearts that black beans and chocolate should be a good idea.  Anyone who has ever had a good mole sauce could tell you that.  I didn't give up.  I kept searching and boy am I glad I did.

I may never make "normal" brownies again.

This recipe produces brownies that are moist and tender, fluffy and full of chocolate.  You can't have just one.  Yes they contain black beans but the recipe is pure brownie.  There is no flour and yet they're not heavy the way flourless chocolate desserts tend to be.

I've made two batches in the past week and they've been tried and heartily approved by oodles of people.

Black Bean Brownies
adapted from Chocolate and Carrots
Yields 1 8x8" pan

Ingredients

• 1 15.5oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 3 tbsp vegetable or canola oil
• 2 eggs
• 1 egg white
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350º and line an 8x8" pan with parchment paper.

Combine black beans and oil in a food processor or blender and process, stopping to scrape sides at least once, until well whipped and fluffy.

Scrape bean mixture into a medium mixing bowl.  Add eggs, egg whites, cocoa, sugar, baking powder, and vanilla.  Using a stand mixer, electric beaters, or sheer force of will, mix until combined and smooth.

Pour batter into your prepared baking dish and sprinkle with chocolate chips somewhat evenly.

Bake for 30-35 minutes until they're set.

Wait for the brownies to cool completely in the pan before serving.

If you cut your 8x8 pan into 25 brownies, each brownie will have the following stats:

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