Try it – Black Bean Brownies

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Try It

Good morning, friends! I’m suffering through a bit of a headache right now, but I’ve got a Snapple in-hand, so hopefully Mr. Diet Peach Tea will fend it off!

Do you have a recipe sitting around that you’ve been dying to try but are slightly intimidated by? Does the photo in the recipe taunt you, begging to be created? Do you just keep telling yourself you’ll make it “next weekend?” No more, people, no more!

I took one for the team and confronted my little arch-nemesis this weekend. Black bean brownies. No, that is not a typo. Black beans + brownies supposedly = happy mouths.

Gross. The thought of them makes me gag. And I LIKE black beans! But after reading on so many blogs that these bean-y treats “taste just like real brownies!” I needed to give them a shot.

spoiler alert: they do not taste like real brownies. DO NOT make this recipe thinking it will create a healthy version of your favorite indulgence – just don’t. I mean, why set yourself up for disappointment? That’s almost as bad as buying a meat-substitute for Fillet Mignon and crossing your fingers that you won’t be able to tell the difference — but I digress…

Anyway, I followed the highly acclaimed recipe from Happy Herbivore to a tee. Trust me, I didn’t mess this up.

They smelled wonderful coming out of the oven. I took my first bite and……drumroll… it was… interesting. It was definitely good, just did NOT live up to the claim that “it tastes just like the real thing!” — Note: Linsday (Happy Herbivore) did not say that, just many of her commenters and other bloggers did.

The banana flavor was SO strong — this dish almost tasted like chocolate banana bread — which I can totally get on board with! But not when I’m told that I’m going to get something that tastes just like a brownie. For those of you who are terrified by the secret ingrdient (black beans), do not fear! You cannot taste them at all (so at least that claim held up).

While I didn’t really love the ‘brownies’ on their own, anything tastses better with ice cream and my famous (healthy!) chocolate fudge - p.s. IT ACTUALLY TASTES LIKE CHOCOLATE FUDGE ;) .  

I topped this bad boy off with a mound of whipped cream. Now we’re talkin’. After the “brownie” received “the works,” it actually did taste like the real thing. The chocolate fudge drowned out most of the banana flavoring, making it more chocolatey and the texture/consistency of the ‘brownie’ was pretty spot-on.

Moral of the story — whipped cream really does fix everything ;)

Do you have a recipe you are putting off making? What’s holding you back? Have you made black bean brownies before? Did you like ‘em?

19 Responses to “Try it – Black Bean Brownies”

  1. Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat) said:

    Glad to hear your opinion of these — been seeing them all over the blogs along with chickpea blondies.

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  2. Theresa said:

    I’ve made a “cheater” version of black bean brownies (I think it’s from weight watchers?) Only ingredients are 1 box of brownie mix and 1 can of black beans. Puree the can of black beans, including the water/juice. Then mix in with the brownie mix and bake per the directions on the box. Biggest “trick” I found to making these seem more like “real” brownies is to let them completely cool before you eat them. Once they’re cool, the beany taste subsides and you can focus on the yummy chocolate/fudge taste!

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  3. Run Sarah said:

    I love black bean brownies – I’ve made them once and thought they were great, my husband hated them though!

    Posted on | Reply
  4. Heather (Heather's Dish) said:

    i really want to try the chickpea blondies from carrots n cake, but just haven’t taken the time to do it yet :)

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  5. The Brunette said:

    I’m sure the “best stuff on earth” (which, allegedly, “just got better”), will have you feelin’ fine in no time. The most I’ve ever “healthified” anything is by subbing pumpkin or applesauce for fats. Although, when I lived in Singapore there were tons of desserts made with sweetened bean, sesame, or nut paste as fillings, which a lot of expats never reallyngot on board with but I LOVED, so I’ll have to try these brownies :)

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  6. Chelsea said:

    This was the exact review I gave them. They grew on me but they DO NOT taste like brownies AT ALL.

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  7. Stephanie said:

    Y U M. I love black bean brownies. In fact I am going to feature them in my monthly newsletter…in honor of V day!

    BODA lose weight

    Posted on | Reply
  8. Mishy said:

    awesome post. you made me LOL, very funny.

    Posted on | Reply
  9. Jenny said:

    I’ve seen this recipe all over blogosphere — it’s so unconventional, but makes me drool like cray cray!

    Posted on | Reply
  10. Tweets that mention Try it – Black Bean Brownies | The Daily Balance -- Topsy.com said:

    [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by The Daily Balance, The Daily Balance. The Daily Balance said: Black bean brownies. Love 'em or hate 'em? http://bit.ly/cP7sTE [...]

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  11. Morgan @ Healthy Happy Place said:

    I don’t think I could handle beans in my baked goods. If I’m going to eat a brownie I’m not expecting it to be healthy!

    Posted on | Reply
  12. Katie@ Two Lives, One Lifestyle said:

    Healthy hot fudge?? I am going to investigate this immediately! Thanks for commenting on the blog so found yours!

    Posted on | Reply
  13. Kristilyn (My 29th Year) said:

    I have a black bean brownie recipe that doesn’t have bananas and I really like it. The husband says they’re not sweet enough, but that just means I get them all to myself. It’s a good way to get some healthy beans into your diet! I have a recipe for Chickpea Blondies, too, and I really like them.

    It’s a good way to feel like you’re eating bad when you’re really not. :-)

    K

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    • Belinda said:

      I tried these, but didn’t like the overwhelming banana taste. Could NOT taste the black beans, though. I thought about trying to use applesauce instead, but don’t know if it would work. Would love the recipe you have without bananas! Would you post it, or send it to me?

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  14. Whitney said:

    I’m right with you on the “healthy brownie” thing. I have tried many times to make healthier versions but nothing beats the real thing. Brownies are my true utter weakness and I must have to whole experience. Although ice cream makes everything better!

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  15. Elina said:

    The amazing black bean brownies from Cooking with Agave Nectar (recipe can be found online) really are amazing. They taste like flourless chocolate cake. I promise! I’ve also added pureed black brownies to a regular brownie mix (like no pudge) and it’s pretty good. They taste “healthified” but still brownie-like :)

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  16. A.Leo said:

    I have been dying to try these, too! I’m happy to hear someone say honestly though that they do not taste exactly like the real thing. I will have to make them someday. Your end creation with the toppings is making me drool!

    ps- thanks for finding my blog, I am loving yours!

    Posted on | Reply
  17. CaSaundra said:

    I have definitely heard a share of mixed reviews on these–I am usually up for trying something at least once to judge for myself, but the thought of these just really doesn’t tickle my fancy! I prefer making the No Pudge Fudge brownies when looking for a healthier brownie–thanks for sharing your baking experiment though! :-)

    Posted on | Reply
  18. Julie (A Case of the Runs) said:

    I tried the Happy Herbivore pumpkin bars (similar bean concept) and found them good in their own right but nothing like what I expected. I am guessing these brownies (which I WILL try) are going to be similar. But I’m sure these will be a nice protein boost.

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