Healthy brownies -- who would want that, right?! But these brownies from the Delightfully Free cookbook are honestly one of my favorite desserts to bring to holiday parties (or any other gathering).
When friends ask for the recipe before they leave, they can't believe how simple and healthy the ingredients are!
In other words, don't let the alternative ingredients in these brownies put you off of viewing them as a delicious dessert -- they are still one of the gooiest, most decadent brownies in my recipe repertoire. I even reduce the sugar content when I make them (to make them even cleaner), and they are still sweet and amazing.
Black Bean Brownies
Makes 24 Brownies (V/Veg) - Egg Free (w/egg replacer), Corn Free, and Grain Free
2 large eggs (or vegan egg replacer)
1 Tbsp water
1/3 cup grapeseed oil
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
3/4 tsp liquid stevia
1 15 oz can black beans, rinsed well (I use a wire strainer and drain on a paper towel)
1 1/4 cup coconut palm sugar
2 Tbsp coconut nectar
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 tsp sea salt
1 1/2 tsp aluminum-free, GF baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp xanthan gum
1/2 cup chopped almonds or walnuts (optional)
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips or chunks (optional*)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brush or spray a 9x13 pan with grapeseed oil. In a blender or food processor, ** blend the eggs, water, oil, vanilla, and stevia 10 seconds, then add the beans and blend 30 seconds. Scrape sides of the blender with a silicone spatula as needed. Next, add all the remaining ingredients except for the chocolate chips or chunks, and the nuts. Process 1-2 minutes until all is thoroughly blended. Stir in the chocolate chips or chunks, and nuts, if desired. Pour the batter into the pan. Sprinkle with additional nuts, if desired, and bake 22 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.
*See suggested chocolates in "Stocking your GF, DF, SF, Pantry," p.7 of Delightfully Free
**If you have an immersion blender, it works very well with this recipe. Use the blending wand for the first 6 ingredients, and then the whisk attachment for the remainder.