Fudgy Black Bean Brownies for the MIND diet – somehow those words don’t seem to belong together. Using Fudgy and Brownies in the same title as Beans??

I have been fascinated by the idea of using black beans in desserts for a long time, but I have never been brave enough to try it.  But, yesterday my need to get more beans into my diet and my desire for chocolate collided and I started looking for a recipe.  I found one that was almost perfect at http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/black-bean-brownies .  Really, the only thing I changed was switching from Canola Oil to Olive Oil – and the calorie count (more later).

Fudgy Black Bean Brownies                       PDF version

• 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips, divide into two ¼ cup portions (no nibbling!)
• 3 TBSP olive oil –  I use Kroger Lighter Flavor Olive Oil
• 3 large eggs
• 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup baking cocoa
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/8 tsp salt

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Use a food processor* to process the black beans, 1/4 cup chocolate chips, and oil.
3. Add in the eggs, brown sugar, cocoa, vanilla, baking powder and salt. Process until really smooth.
4. Spray an 8 or 9 inch baking pan with cooking spray.
5. Add the brownie mixture and sprinkle with ¼ cup chocolate chips.

Bake at 350° for 20 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out nearly clean. When cool, cut into 12 squares. Store in the refrigerator. They are even better when cold anyway.

*I can’t imagine making these without a food processor, but I suppose you could. I really hate dragging mine out, remembering how to put it together, and especially cleaning it up after using it. So, I might try sometime. You would have to really mash up those beans. The choc chips could be melted a bit, or chopped, or just put in whole so they would add more texture. The rest should be easy.

So, what was the result!  Fabulous!  So fudgy. Almost fudge, really. You can tell by the
photo that my husband and son liked them, too. They each ate two, although they added a bit of ice cream.  I thought they were great. And, one brownie just about took care of my chocolate craving.  Although, I did eat a second one after a light lunch today.

So, what about the calories? The original posting listed them as having 167 calories with 7 grams of fat.   When I ran my recipe through MyFitnessPal, I got 183 calories with 8 grams of fat. I think the difference might be in the size of the eggs. I used large ones and I think the recipe might be a bit dry without that much.

I was kind of surprised that there is no flour in this recipe. It was listed as “gluten-free.”  While I don’t really care if there is gluten or not, this should be beneficial to those who need that.  Actually, this has whet my appetite to try out other recipes in which beans are a major component. I am thinking I will try Pumpkin Bars next. But, I have to get the Brownies eaten (or maybe frozen) first.