Flourless Black Bean Brownies
In short: Moist, fudgy flourless brownies made by blending black beans with cocoa and eggs. Naturally gluten-free, with no butter and a rich chocolate taste. It takes about 37 min in total and makes 16 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 27 min
- Resting
- 2 h
- Total
- 37 min
- Servings
- 16
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 140 kcal
Black beans sound odd in a brownie, but blended until smooth they vanish into the batter and leave behind a moist, fudgy crumb. There is no flour, so the brownies are naturally gluten-free, and the beans add fiber and a little protein. The batter takes five minutes in a food processor. The squares are very soft while warm and firm up as they cool, so let them rest in the pan before cutting.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Line a 20 cm (8 in) square pan with parchment paper and lightly oil the paper.
- Put the black beans, eggs, oil, cocoa, brown sugar, vanilla, baking powder and salt in a food processor or high-speed blender.
- Blend for 2 minutes, stopping once to scrape down the sides, until the batter is completely smooth with no flecks of bean skin.
- Stir in half of the chocolate chips. Pour the batter into the pan, smooth the top and scatter the remaining chips over it.
- Bake for 25 to 28 minutes, until the edges are set and the center springs back lightly when touched. A toothpick should come out with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool in the pan for 1 hour, then chill for 1 hour more. The brownies are very soft when warm and firm up as they cool. Lift out and cut into 16 squares.
Tips
- Rinse and drain the beans very well. Salty canning liquid makes the brownies taste savory, and extra water makes them soggy.
- Blend longer than seems necessary, because bean fragments make the texture grainy. For a version without brown sugar, use 120 ml (1/2 cup) maple syrup and bake 3 to 5 minutes longer.
Questions and answers
Can you taste the black beans in black bean brownies?
Not when the beans are blended completely smooth and the cocoa is strong. If you are worried, add an extra teaspoon of vanilla or a pinch of instant coffee.
Why are my black bean brownies gummy?
They were probably underbaked or cut while warm. Bake until a toothpick shows moist crumbs, then cool and chill them fully before cutting.
Can I make black bean brownies vegan?
Replace each egg with 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed stirred into 3 tablespoons of water. The brownies will be softer, so bake them a few minutes longer and chill them well.
How long does it take to make Flourless Black Bean Brownies?
About 37 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 27 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Flourless Black Bean Brownies?
About 140 kcal per serving, with 3 g of protein, 17 g of carbohydrates and 6 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 140 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 3 g |
| Carbohydrates | 17 g |
| Fat | 6 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 12 g |
| Sodium | 110 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
