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Introduction to Black Bean Brownies
Now when it comes to brownies, one might be hard-pressed to consider black beans as part of the recipe. Well, what if we told you that you can utilize the black bean to get the fudgy, tasty, and shamelessly delicious dessert? Innovative recipes for preparing desserts in which people blend black beans into their brownies are one of the latest trends among those who love delicious sweets, but who do not want to compromise their health by consuming unhealthy products. These are good sources of fiber, they are very pulpy and have proteins and other nutrients which one wouldn’t expect to be present in such fruits.
In this blog post, you are going to be unveiled all that you are supposed to know on how to make perfect black bean brownies at home. Black bean brownies are the best way for people who want to minimize the amount of refined sugar and flour in their diets or for those people who want to have more pulses but do not know how.
Ingredients Needed
- 1 can of black beans (15 oz), rinsed and drained: Indeed, the main attraction of this dish, black beans, act as the principal ingredient and perform the role of flour as well as contribute goodness to the body in the form of fiber and protein.
- 3 large eggs: The eggs are incorporated for their cohesive function which also aids in giving the brownies its fudgy nature.
- ½ cup of maple syrup or honey: The sweeteners used in the brownies are natural and this eliminates the use of refined sugar.
- ¼ cup of coconut oil or butter melted: Accomplishes the tasks of enriching the brownies and giving them moisture.
- ½ cup of unsweetened cocoa powder: This is actually where the traditional mocha chocolate taste originates from, The bean itself contains two parts: the outer skin, also known as the hull that is rather large and cylindrical, and the inner layer that is called parchment and in spite of its small size is actually quite hard.
- 1 tsp of vanilla extract: This makes the overall flavor of the brownies even more tastier and appealing.
- ½ tsp of baking powder: Helps them to rise a little and become fluffy when done.
- ¼ tsp of salt: makes a perfect blend between the sweet and the chocolate flavor.
- Optional add-ins:
- ½ cup of dark chocolate chips or chopped nuts to add a little texture to the recipe.
- A spoon of coconut flakes, or a drizzle of peanut butter for extra taste.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Black Bean Brownies
Some following step instruction:
Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Baking Pan
- Here the temp used is 350 degrees F / 175 degrees C and this should be done under a preheated oven. For baking, bake at 350F, and with oil or cooking spray, prepare the 8×8 inch baking pan lined with parchment paper. It will help us to de-mold the brownies easily once it has been baked with the help of this material.
Step 2: Blend the Black Beans
- Include the rinsed and drained black beans in the food processor or high-powered blender. Process, until the beans are pureed to a goal mouth, feel that is smooth and creamy. This step helps to make sure that none of the whole beans remain since they alter the texture of the brownies.
Step 3: Add the Wet Ingredients
- To this add the eggs, maple syrup, melted coconut oil, and vanilla extract which was mentioned in the preparation of black bean puree. It is even very easy to prepare because all the ingredients are mixed in a food processor and the ingredients are blended until they become soft mashed.
Step 4: Mix in the Dry Ingredients
- In another bowl mix the unsweetened cocoa powder with baking powder and salt in a wire whisk. SLOWLY start incorporating this dry mix into the wet mix in the blender/ food processor. Mix again until all the batter is mixed thoroughly and no lumps are present.
Step 5: Add the Optional Mix-ins
- Now, if you want to toss in dark chocolate chips, chopped nuts, coconut flakes, and other ingredients that you fancy, use a spatula for this. The add-ins that will be used here will help to improve the texture as well as the taste of the brownies.
Step 6: Pour and Bake
- Gently pour out your batter in your prepared baking pan, and make sure that the batter slopes slightly to make the batter even all across the pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes any longer would make the cake dry or moist in the center; test this by inserting a toothpick and it should come out with only a little moist dough attached to it and not a wet batter.
Step 7: Cool and Serve
- Let the brownies cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing them from the pan and keeping them on a wire rack to cool completely. After that, you only need to cool the cookies, and then cut them into squares so that you can enjoy your delicious cookies.
Check Out: White Chocolate Brownies – Flavor#37
Benefits of Using Black Beans in a Dessert Recipe
Now you may be asking, “Why black beans in brownies?” Well, black beans are still a type of legume, and they are a great so-called ‘superfood’ to boot.
1. Increased Nutritional Value
One of the plates coming with a bowl of rice and black beans includes fiber, Protein, and some necessary minerals like iron and magnesium. Rather than having refined flour in the brownie, you can manage to get a healthy one with less unhealthy flour but more black beans to make the dessert filling and healthy. You must remember that the idea in this recipe is the use of black beans which takes the place of part of the negative ingredient that is flour.
2. Gluten-Free Option
For those individuals who have to avoid gluten or still prefer not to consume it black bean brownies are a great option. This makes them gluten-free since beans replace the usual flour that is used in the preparation of the dish. This is to mean that one can be able to take a treat without having to worry whether or not it contains gluten.
3. Lower Glycemic Index
Even though black bean brownies are sweetened with sugar and contain white flour, they are superior to ordinary brownies in terms of glycemic index since they do not cause high rising sugar levels in the body. That is why they are more suitable for diabetics or people who are on low-carb diets.
4. Higher Protein Content
This addition of black beans means higher protein content in the brownies, thus more filling, and provides you with lasting energy. This makes them a more balanced snack especially if you are aiming at having more plant protein in your menu.
Tips for Achieving the Perfect Texture and Flavor
1. Blend the Beans Thoroughly
It is very important to make sure that the black beans are well-matched to a smooth paste. This is because if there is any chunk of beans in the batter it is going to create an odd feel. If the beans are not fully mashed then for effective blending use a high-powered blender or food processor and blend in small portions.
2. Don’t Overbake
When it comes to baking, it’s easy that overbaking the normal brownie makes it dry, the same goes for the black bean brownies. Test them at the 20th minute and bake the cookies till a skewer inserted twiddling comes out clean but with a few crumbs stuck to it. The brownies will keep on setting when it is being cooled hence should be removed from the oven to cool properly.
3. Enhance the Chocolate Flavor
This, you may add the best cocoa powder you’ll get your hands on and you may also Incline; chips of dark chocolate or even a spoon of coffee powder to the mixture. This will increase the chocolate flavor but at the same time will not make the brownies overly sweet. Though this is true, we can always add more sugar to achieve a richer flavor.
4. Experiment with Sweeteners
If you’d like to use a lesser measure of sweetener, you can try using stevia, monk fruit sweetener, or coconut sugar. Add more or less sugar to your taste about the texture of the brownies that you want to achieve.
Variations and Substitutions for Dietary Preferences
1. Vegan Black Bean Brownies
The following ingredients should be used in order to make brownies vegan – use flax egg or a vegan egg replacer instead of eggs. Replace honey with maple syrup or another vegan sweetener; replace butter with coconut oil.
2. Sugar-Free Option
If you are cutting on sugars or avoiding added sugars, you can use sugar-free sweeteners to replace maple syrup or honey with stevia or erythritol. Simply make sure to lessen the amount you put in because these sweeteners can be more potent than normal sugar.
3. Nut-Free
To make these brownies nut-free don’t add nuts or any nut butter swirls to your recipe. If you want to add richness to the dish consider using sunflower seed butter or coconut butter in place of nuts.
4. Extra Protein Boost
To enhance the protein level, incorporate 50g of protein powder (flavor of your choice or plain whey/plant protein) into the batter. Sometimes it is necessary to put one or two tablespoons of water to get the desired consistency of the batter.
Conclusion: Enjoying a Healthy and Delicious Treat with Black Bean Brownies
These tasty black bean brownies are one of the more creative and healthy spins on a traditional sweet treat. It is a unique way to allow you to enjoy the goodies that are present in brownie form while at the same time availing yourself of the nutritional benefits present in black beans. All in all, if you have decided that it’s time for a change and you need to eliminate refined sugar, gluten, or any other product, you have to try black bean brownies.
This is your go-ahead signal to try out this recipe today, you might be surprised that black beans made your brownies better!
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FAQs
Do black bean brownies taste like beans?
No, if done correctly and also added to other foods such as the cocoa and sugars present in the black bean brownies recipe then it does not taste like beans. They are not meant to taste like café lattes, but rather like lusciously chocolatey, fudgy, moist brownies.
Can I freeze black bean brownies?
Yes, black bean brownies freeze well. Individual pieces should be placed in a plastic wrap and put inside a freezer-safe container then they can be stored in the freezer for 3 months. It should be thawed before consumption at room temperature.
Are black bean brownies healthy?
The black bean brownies are far healthier than normal brownies that one would normally buy from the store. They are richer in fiber, protein, and nutrients, and they are categorized under low glycemic index foods, especially for the prevention of excess consumption of sugar.
