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vegan black bean brownies

11 Comments
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Lindsay Nixon said #1 Oct 14, 2009 at 2:56pm

these are a hit on my website, happyherbivore.com

all rights reserved - eat well be well.


Makes 9 squares


Ingredients:
15oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
2 bananas
1/3 cup agave nectar
1/4 cup cocoa
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract
a few drops mint extract *optional
1/4 cup raw sugar **optional
1/4 cup quick/instant oats
chocolate chips *optional
chopped walnuts *optional


** if you're bananas are really ripe (browning) you probably won't need the extra sugar; I suggest making the batter without it, then taste testing it to see if you need to add more sugar.


Directions:
1. Preheat 350F
2. Combine all ingredients, except oats, in a food processor or blender
3. Blend until smooth, scrapping sides as needed
4. Stir in the oats
5. Pour into a greased 8Ã--8 in pan
6. Bake approx 30 minutes, toothpick test
7. Allow to completely cool before slicing
** if you find these brownies are too soft or too fudgey, add another 1/4 cup oats or flour


Nutritional Info:
(without optional ingredients)
each: 85 calories, 1g fat, 16g carbs, 4g protein

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Lauren Nastasi said #2 Oct 14, 2009 at 3:55pm

Wow, I saw these on your site, but I didn't know they were only 85 cals each!! My kind of brownie--no guilt! :)

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TJ Marsh said #3 Oct 14, 2009 at 3:56pm

Sounds good..

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Mandee S said #4 Oct 14, 2009 at 5:51pm

Thanks for sharing, Lindsay. I might replace the oats with quinoa flakes to make these gluten free :)

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Blake said #5 Oct 14, 2009 at 7:37pm

This recipe is sooo cool and sounds so good. Thanks. From: The baby in the vegan world.

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Lex M said #6 Oct 15, 2009 at 1:56am

Hey Lindsay, awesome to find you here! Can't wait to try these brownies!

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Tracie said #7 Oct 15, 2009 at 6:13am

I've actually made those before and they were quite tasty. I love that dessert can have protein and no one has any idea it was made with beans. I've even given them to someone who hates beans and they loved them.

But when I just want a super fast, super easy brownie recipe, I just get a vegan friendly boxed brownie mix and mix it with 5oz of seltzer.

When I tell people they were made with only seltzer, they can't believe it.

I've also mixed the boxed brownie mix with a can of black beans and that's worked out just as well.

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Lisa Moreira said #8 Oct 15, 2009 at 5:46pm

Another twist to boxed brownie mix is to add a can of pumpkin!

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Tracie said #9 Oct 16, 2009 at 6:09am

Pumpkin! Now THAT sounds delicious.

I'm definitely going to have to give that a try.

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Kelley Dodd said #10 Oct 18, 2009 at 1:46pm

I use a similar recipe. Different but still good.
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
1 cup unsalted vegan butter
2 cups soft-cooked black beans, drained well (15 oz. canned is fine)
1 cup walnuts, chopped
1 tablespoon vanilla extract (or, almond works well)
1/8 cup coffee grounds
1/8 cup coffee
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
4 ripe bananas (or applesauce works, too)
1½ cups agave nectar1 cup coconut (optional)

Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line an 11- by 18-inch jellyroll pan with parchment paper and lightly oil.
Melt the chocolate and 'butter' until chocolate is completely melted. Stir with a spoon to melt the chocolate completely. Place the beans, 1/2 cup of the walnuts, the vanilla extract, and a few spoonfuls of the melted chocolate mixture into the bowl of a food processor. Blend about 2 minutes, or until smooth. The batter should be thick and the beans smooth. Set aside.
In a large bowl, mix together the remaining 1/2 cup walnuts, remaining melted chocolate mixture, coffee, coffee grounds, and salt. Mix well and set aside.
In a separate bowl, smash bananas until creamy. Add the agave nectar and beat well. Set aside.
Add the bean/chocolate mixture to the coffee/chocolate mixture. Stir until blended well.Add the banana mixture, reserving about 1/2 cup. Mix well. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Using an electric mixer, beat the remaining 1/2 cup banana mixture until light and fluffy. Drizzle over the brownie batter. Use a wooden toothpick to pull the banana mixture through the batter, creating a marbled effect. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until the brownies are set. Let cool in the pan completely before cutting into squares. (They will be soft until refrigerated.)

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