Black Bean Brownies (Option #2)

Black Bean BrowniesThese won’t completely replace those lucious, dark, decadent brownies we love, but they are an interesting option. I’m still trying to assess the science involved that made them sweeter after they cooled, so cooling them is a very important step.

If, like me, you are a chocolate fan, these are definitely worth a try.

Recipe: Black Bean Brownies

Ingredients

  • 15 ounces black beans, drained and rinsed. Canned is fine.
  • 2 whole bananas
  • 1/3 cup Splenda™
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
  • 1/4 cup water (or less)
  • 1 tbsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp instant coffee
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup instant oats

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8×8 pan and set aside.
  2. Combine all the ingredients except the oats in a food processor or blender and blend until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.
  3. Remove to a medium bowl. Stir in the oats. Pour the batter into your pan.
  4. Bake approximately 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Allow to cool completely!

Cooking time (minutes): 45

Diet type: Vegan

Diet (other): Low calorie, Reduced fat

Meal type: dessert

CulinaryTradition: USA (General)

My rating:3.0 stars
***

Diet Brownies?

abc_browniesI watched Rocco DiSpirito launch his new cookbook, Now Eat This!: 150 of America’s Favorite Comfort Foods, All Under 350 Calories
on Good Morning America last Monday. He demonstrated a recipe that I really, really wanted to make but I’m a little afraid of it: Black Bean Brownies. I’ve read other similar recipes on the web and have not yet just done the deed. The brownies looked very dense — almost like fudge — and Sam the weatherman was raving over them. Later when I looked up the recipe on line people who had tried gave the recipe less than stellar reviews. I’ve looked up some other options and I’m going to give the Vegan brownie recipe a try tonight (watch for tomorrow’s review) using Splenda instead of sugar.

BUT if you can’t wait to be adventurous, here is the Rocco DiSpirito recipe as reprinted from the GMA website.

Recipe: Black Bean Brownies

Summary: Rocco DiSpirito remade comfort foods and favorites for his new book.

Ingredients

  • cooking spray
  • 1 1/2 cups of canned black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
  • 1 tablespoon espresso powder
  • 3/4 cup of egg substitute
  • 2 tablespoons of low calorie, sugar free chocolate syrup
  • 2 tablespoons reduced fat sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
  • 24 packets of Truvia™ or 8 tablespoons of Splenda™
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray an 8×8-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray.
  2. Combine the beans, cocoa powder, espresso powder, and egg substitute in the bowl of a food processor. Process until the mixture is smooth, about 2 minutes, scraping down the bowl halfway through.
  3. Add the chocolate syrup, sour cream, butter, Truvia, and vanilla. Process until all of the ingredients are combined, about 1 minute.
  4. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish, and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 28 to 30 minutes, turning the dish halfway through the baking time. A toothpick inserted in the center will come out with soft batter clinging to it.
  5. Let the brownies cool completely in the baking dish on a wire rack. Then cut into 12 squares and serve. Refrigerate any leftovers.
  6. NOW YOU CAN EAT THIS!

Cooking time (minutes): 30

Diet (other): Low calorie, Reduced fat

Meal type: dessert

CulinaryTradition: USA (General)


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