This is a treat I’ve been wanting to bake for the longest time. With last-minute dinner plan changes last week, I found myself with an extra can of low sodium black beans, so I figured I’d give it a go! I am so happy with the results; they are coconutty, chocolatey, super moist and don’t taste the slightest bit like beans! It really is astonishing how perfect they are as a brownie, not at all a pretty-good-healthy-substitute. I really hope you try to make these for yourself, or for any gluten-free/dairy-free guests you may have!
I wanted to keep these brownies as healthy and low calorie (only 68 cals per brownie) as possible, so they really aren’t very sweet, but if you’re craving more sugar, then mix some chocolate chips into the batter or sprinkle a handful over the top.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 – 540mL (19 fl oz) can low sodium black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 3/4 tsp stevia
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
DIRECTIONS
- Blend all ingredients well in a food processor or high-powered blender (LOVE my Vitamix!).
- Pour batter into an 8″x8″ brownie pan sprayed with oil.
- Bake at 35o degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.
- Let cool for 10 minutes before cutting and serving. Enjoy!
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
Makes 16 brownies.
Per brownie: 68 calories – 11 g carbs – 2 g fibre – 2 g fat – 3 g protein
Just Indulgence 
I ate Andrea’s brownies. They are soooooo delicious!!! They are very chocolatey without leaving that heavy, rich, gloppy feeling in your stomache. Black bean brownies – who’d a thunk?!?!!? Real cool creation!
Hello!! I just recommended this page on my blog… I adore the recipes here… You can see my post here http://yirah07.blogspot.com/2012/10/mi-propia-receta-de-pavo.html sorry it is in spanish!!
Thanks Yirah! I wish I could speak Spanish, or at least read it!
Great recipe! And it’s gluten free 🙂
Thanks, Kyra!
Could you please tell me what black bean is?
Also, Applesauce?
I would love to try out this recipe as I have a weakness for brownies, and woul dlove a healthy alternative.
Many thanks
Black beans are the ones you’ll often find in Latin American cuisine. You can read about them here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_turtle_bean#Black_beans
And here’s a link to some recipe ideas for them:
http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20388549,00.html
As for applesauce, it’s just cooked and mashed apples. You’ll likely find a jars of it in the grocery store, but if you can’t, then make your own by peeling and boiling a few apples for 20-30 minutes until they are very soft. Then mash, or blend, until smooth!
thank you!