Black Bean Brownies

I love sweets, and especially during this pregnancy. As everyone knows if you are not careful, especially being pregnant, you can really pack on the pounds eating sweets. So I went searching for a healthier version of my favorite treat, Brownies! I happened upon this great Black Bean recipe from AllRecipes.com, posted by Elizabeth. (here is the actual website http://allrecipes.com/recipe/black-bean-brownies/) I thought I would try them out and see if they would pass my pregnancy taste test. Here is the Recipe:
              

1 (15.5 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained

3 eggs

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

1/4 cup cocoa powder

1 pinch salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3/4 cup white sugar

1 teaspoon instant coffee (optional)

1/2 cup milk chocolate chips (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease an 8x8 square baking dish.
2. Combine the black beans, eggs, oil, cocoa powder, salt, vanilla extract, sugar, and instant coffee in a blender; blend until smooth; pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the top of the mixture.
3. Bake in the preheated oven until the top is dry and the edges start to pull away from the sides of the pan, about 30 minutes.

 

 

(photo courtesy of user zerofifteen)

 

The recipe is very easy to follow and takes little culinary skills. There were a few things that I did differently and am still experimenting with. I changed the vegetable oil and used Coconut oil because of the added health benefits (see here) of the oil and to add a hit of coconut taste to mask the black beans. I also have never used the instant coffee so I'm not sure how that would taste either. I'm wanting to experiment with using Honey or Agave Nectar as my sweetener instead of sugar and will report back to you how those worked out. One thing too, is I usually cook them about 5 minutes longer to make sure the center is fully done. These rise pretty good when cooking but don't be alarmed if after they cool they are about half the height. They are a dense brownie and turn out moist cake like instead of a chewy brownie. My favorite thing about these is they never dried out for me, the next day they were just as moist as the first.

 

Also here is the posted nutritional information which makes me not feel as guilty when I'm eating them.

Amount Per Serving Calories: 126 | Total Fat: 5.3g | Cholesterol: 40mg

 

Rating: Average, The only reason I'm giving these an average is because I had to tweak a few things to my liking and I like chewy brownies, but its really hard to tell they are "Healthy" brownies. I tell people about this recipe if they want a sweet treat and watching what they eat.

 

Tips:

1. Use Coconut oil instead of vegetable oil
2. Cook about 5 minutes longer
3. Don't be alarmed when they fall to about half the height
4. Definitely use the chocolate chips on top

I hope you enjoy these brownies!

 

Happy Testing!

Katelyn