Secret Recipe Club: Black Bean Brownies
I don't like today.
It's pouring, it's humid...and it's Monday.
I hardly ever feel happy about Monday and all of this other stuff is making it...well, just not so much.
One thing I am happy about today? It's Secret Recipe Club reveal day!
To be honest, I have been feeling a little uninspired both in the kitchen and on the blog lately. I'm not sure if it's a funk or what, but SRC came along at the perfect time. I really love being a part of this series because it introduces me to new blogs, I've made new blog friends, and it's always so exciting to see who had my blog on a given month and which recipe they chose to make. Each month, The Secret Recipe Club, founded by the lovely Amanda, pairs a blogger with another blog. The blogger then chooses one recipe to cook or bake and reveals it as a surprise on a designated day. I like. A special thanks also to Angie @ Big Bear's Wife for playing hostess in Group C!
This month, I was given A Vegan Obsession as my blog from which to choose a recipe. To be honest, I am not really familiar at all with vegan cooking. I do own Peas & Thank You, but I haven't even tried many recipes from that book yet either. India-leigh is so beautiful and I adore her blog. It's happy, bright and filled with delicious-looking recipes!
I was excited to search around a new (to me) blog and find a great recipe to replicate! I actually found a bunch that I wanted to try (and will at some point!) but settled on her Fudgey, Sinless Black Bean Brownies.
I had seen black bean brownies around the blogosphere in the past and had been wanted to try them for some time. This seemed like the perfect opportunity!
Overall, I thought these turned out nicely for a seriously lightened up treat. I did make some modifications based on what I had on hand and added whipped cream, which I suppose takes all of the veganness out of them...but without the whipped cream, these are still vegan and ready to go!
I do wish I had added a bit more sugar because I like my treats to be sweet. However, as I'm doing Weight Watchers and Physique 57 like it's my job, I was very happy to find a treat that is healthy and filling - thanks black beans!
Black Bean Brownies
*Adapted from A Vegan Obsession
1 15 oz. can black beans, rinsed & drained
1 ripe banana
½ C unsweetened applesauce
¼ C unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp espresso powder
1 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
¼ C sugar (or more for sweeter brownies)
1/3 C maple syrup
1 C quick oats
Cooking spray
Whipped cream (optional)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a small mixing bowl with an immersion blender ready or in a blender, combine the beans, banana, applesauce, cocoa powder, espresso powder, salt, vanilla, sugar and syrup. Blend like it's your job until super smooth and silky. This took about a minute and a half or so.
Fold in the oats. Pour into an 8x8 baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake for 30 minutes or until completely set. Let cool, cut into squares and serve. Top with whipped cream if ya like.
I like.
Thanks to India-leigh for this great, easy recipe! I can't wait to try it again with a little more sweetness and possibly some mix-ins as you suggest!
For some previous SRC posts of mine, check out:
Individual Lemon Berry Trifles
NY Giants & Jet Popcorn Party Mix
17 Comments | May 21, 2012 | Share Article | Email Article | tagged Secret Recipe Club | in Recipes Print Article | Permalink
Reader Comments (17)
What a intersting pick, I have never heard of black beans in brownies, I am intrigued!
I still haven't tried baked goods with beans!
i so want to try these!
Love black bean brownies! You can't even tell they are in them!
I have seen the black bean brownies around the blogs also, but never tried them. Yours look so great, I'm looking forward to giving them a try! Great recipe!
These look great, Rachel, especially with all that whipped cream! This is a great recipe, especially since I've always wanted to try black bean brownies! Thanks for sharing. Also, I'm having a ChicWrap giveaway today that you should enter!
i've been seeing these all over the blogosphere, too, + have been curious on how they turn out. will have to try them soon!
When I was doing weight watchers we also had this and it was very good. I would make these and trick my unsuspecting family.
ooh, I make a chocolate black bean cake so I'm a big fan of the combo. Looks delish!
I will always remember the first time I made black bean brownies! It was such a surprisingly delightful treat when I bit into the super fudgey, deep chocolate squares... mmm!!!
How interesting. I've seen these around and have been too nervous to try them out! I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one in a culinary lull right now... I am just not into is as much right now. Checking out everyone's lovely creations has been good for my motivation though... hopefully for yours too!! :)
Rachel, I LOVE you for this post. You made me excited about these brownies all over again AND you are such a sweetie. I love your blog. If you want to eat these guilt free with no extra calories then use Xylitol. It takes and works just like sugar but it has NO CALORIES and is actually good for you. Alternatively, coconut palm sugar is going to add a caramel like taste but it is safe for diabetics as it doesn't mess with your blood sugar. Overtime, white processed sugar really can mess up your hormones. So you can have the brownies sweeter AND feel fabulous. WIN WIN. SCOFF SCOFF! x o
i have heard about these for ages and I have never made them- so glad you did and reminded me I need to! They look great
They look terrific, I love the whipping cream addition C:
I have made black bean brownies too before.
The secret recipe club sounds like such a fun way to try new things and spread some blogger love. I have seen Black Bean brownies on the WW site before but have been afriad to try them. I will have to add them to my to make list!
These sound really nice and an interesting combination