As a chocolate lover, I can’t imagine making brownies without some actual chocolate. In fact, you’ll find a really easy and intensely chocolate recipe for brownies right here on my blog.
And then, that changed.
I found a recipe for Black Bean Brownies on Pinterest and pinned it to my Cleaner Eating board. The pin links to a recipe on the Dr. Oz site for fudgy black bean brownies. In my quest for cleaner recipes that still indulge my sweet tooth, I thought I’d give it a try.
The Recipe:
This is the recipe, as it’s found on the website.
Ingredients
2 cups cooked black beans or canned no-salt-added or low-sodium black beans, drained
10 Medjool dates
2 tbsp raw almond butter
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup natural, non-alkalized cocoa powder
1 tbsp ground chia seed
Raspberries or other berries for topping
Directions
Preheat oven to 200°F. Blend the black beans, dates, almond butter and vanilla in a food processor or high powered blender until smooth.
Add the remaining ingredients and blend again. Pour into a very lightly oiled 8×8-inch baking pan and bake for 1 1/2 hours.
Cool completely before cutting into small squares. Top with raspberries or other berries.
Recipe courtesy of Dr. Joel Fuhrman.
My Method
I followed the recipe with a couple of minor exceptions.
I omitted the chia seeds because I didn’t have any in the house. Also, I didn’t make any kind of fruit topping for the brownies.
I blended all of the ingredients as directed. This actually took quite a bit of time and elbow grease as the mixture was not very liquidy. However, after some stirring, mashing and blending, I was able to achieve a smooth consistency. Here’s a shot of the beans, dates, and almond butter before the blending began.
Also, the recipe directs you to “pour” the mixture into the pan. My mixture was very smooth, but not pourable. So, I used a spoon to dig it out of the blender and then spread it around to the best of my ability.
The Result
After very patiently allowing these brownies to cool for hours, I cut them into 16 squares. They cut easily and didn’t stick to the pan. Do they pass for brownies?
Absolutely!
The cocoa powder gives them a great chocolate flavour.
The dates sweeten them nicely.
The black beans lend a nice texture to the treat.
I can definitely tell that they’re not full of sugar. I like that.
They feel like an indulgence, which is exactly what I want to feel when I eat a brownie.
December 17, 2013 at 6:08 pm
Alia, I’m inviting you to come over and cook us some black bean brownies! This looks so yummy. Now I want my dessert and nice cup of tea. Black Bean brownies are defo healthier alternatives to your usual chocolate ones and I think I like it x Donah GiG
December 17, 2013 at 11:02 pm
I would love to! This is such a great recipe. It’s perfect for anyone who loves chocolate!
December 17, 2013 at 9:39 pm
It has been so long since I last had a brownie. I can’t even imagine how they’d taste like hahaha *fail*
GIG
December 17, 2013 at 11:03 pm
Sounds like a perfect time to try these out!
December 19, 2013 at 12:25 am
Can’t remember the last time I visited your blog but I’m glad to see another worth trying recipe here! I love brownies! Thanks for this! 🙂
December 20, 2013 at 7:14 am
You’re welcome! I’m glad you like the recipes!
December 19, 2013 at 2:23 am
I love brownies! Never thought they could be made with beans! This looks super interesting and yummy 🙂 GIG LOVE
December 20, 2013 at 7:15 am
It’s hard to believe how good they are until you actually try them!
December 19, 2013 at 5:18 am
Looks delicious! I love brownies (& cookies), they’re my comfort food… Can’t imagine though how it taste like when it’s made of beans…
GIG
December 20, 2013 at 7:16 am
Surprisingly, you hardly notice the beans!
December 19, 2013 at 9:01 am
hmmmm….they look so yummy! Would really love to try them….will bookmarc this recipe post 🙂
giglove!
novelstyleblog.com
December 20, 2013 at 7:16 am
I hope you enjoy them!
December 19, 2013 at 11:46 am
this looks so yummy …. i love brownies … will try this recipe soon
December 20, 2013 at 7:16 am
Excellent! Enjoy!
December 22, 2013 at 1:34 pm
hahaha….another great post yet again! this is making me hungry Alia darling! who doesn’t like brownies!!! mmmm…i will try my hand son this, soon! thanks ❤
December 23, 2013 at 1:45 pm
I love brownies too! I hope you enjoy this version!
December 22, 2013 at 7:58 pm
oh my god that sounds soooo yummy. 😀 I want to try it out 🙂
December 23, 2013 at 1:45 pm
Thanks!
December 23, 2013 at 3:28 am
love chocolate, love your ideas…Christmas time is the perfect time of the year to spend time cooking with and for people we love.
xxx
mari
December 23, 2013 at 1:45 pm
I agree and it’s added bonus that these ones aren’t loaded with sugar.
December 23, 2013 at 4:20 am
Slurp Slurp!! already drooling over the recipe.. You my lady are the Queen of amazing recipies. every week I’m eager to visit your blog to find something new and innovative yet simple 🙂
xx Chaicy
Style.. A Pastiche!
Giveaway on the Bllog!
December 23, 2013 at 1:45 pm
Thank you!!
December 23, 2013 at 6:17 am
wow looks so creamy and delicious!!! that’s an amazing recipe!
December 23, 2013 at 1:45 pm
Thanks, hun!
December 23, 2013 at 7:51 am
Brownies!!!! OMG one of my favourite, mummy long time didnt make this for me d 😦
December 23, 2013 at 1:46 pm
LOL — it’s time for you to make your own and share with your mom! Enjoy!
December 23, 2013 at 9:59 am
it looks interesting, a bit different to what we normally do…
Worth a try as your finish brownies look really delicious
December 23, 2013 at 1:46 pm
Yes – these are definitely different! Fortunately, they are also rich and chocolatey.
December 23, 2013 at 10:45 am
now THIS is definitely something I will make for Christmas!!!! thanks for the idea!
December 23, 2013 at 1:46 pm
Awesome! Enjoy!
December 23, 2013 at 3:31 pm
say what?! did i read right??? black bean brownies?!? i’m a latina, so you know i love black beans lol…and brownies too ahaha i will have to try this out!! xo thanks girl
December 23, 2013 at 3:50 pm
LOL! I think you’re gonna like this one, Nina. We eat a lot of black beans in my house, so I was pretty pleased to find a new way to use them! Enjoy!
December 23, 2013 at 4:37 pm
ive never thought of black beans in a dessert! we eat quite a bit of black beans too lol
yukluistyle
December 23, 2013 at 6:41 pm
It’s a great way to incorporate beans in your diet and you’ll hardly notice them in this treat!
December 23, 2013 at 7:26 pm
These look AMAZING I love healthy alternatives when I’m baking!
December 23, 2013 at 7:48 pm
Me too!
December 23, 2013 at 7:42 pm
Oh my gosh! I had NO idea you could make brownies with beans! I will definitely try out this recipe because I have a terrible sweet tooth and would love a healthier alternative 🙂
December 23, 2013 at 7:49 pm
I have a sweet tooth too and these really help me satisfy it without overdoing it!
December 24, 2013 at 4:32 am
Oh wow! I would never had thought that this would be good. I’m going to have to give this a try. I”m trying to get the family to start eating healthy. gig
December 24, 2013 at 4:40 pm
Good luck! Getting on the healthy train can be a challenge! I hope these will be a good start.
December 26, 2013 at 10:10 am
Not a huge fan of chocolate cake but I love brownies. We usually make chocolate cake at home with just cocoa.
December 31, 2013 at 7:51 am
I think that must be the best way to make a chocolate treat! Happy New Year!
January 1, 2014 at 3:30 am
this is something different! i really wanna taste it, it looks so good!
January 7, 2014 at 7:23 am
this looks so yummy! I am trying to cut back calories and this seems to be a healthier choice!! love it!
January 7, 2014 at 9:59 pm
It’s definitely a healthier choice! Enjoy!