dessert

Easy Vegan Black Bean Brownies

For my inaugural blog post, I’m excited to share one of my favorite, creative vegan dessert recipes using Black Beans to make healthy and delicious fudgy brownies. They are gluten-free, oil-free and free of concentrated sweeteners. This unique, quick and easy dessert will impress everyone (and your kids will love them too)!

As a vegan chef, I always have beans in my house.  I like to batch cook them in my pressure cooker then freeze them.  I also always have canned beans on hand.  Beans are full of fiber and a great source of energy.  Black beans are also a great source of protein and the perfect balance of protein and carbohydrates. If you don’t know what to do with that can of black beans….MAKE BROWNIES!

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People in Asia have been enjoying beans in desserts for centuries but it is not much embraced by Western culture. I guarantee you, that you’ll LOVE my GUILT-FREE brownies.  They are made even more delectable with my Figgy Frosting.  These brownies will be the hit at your next party, social gathering or event!  Guests will be in awe when you tell them you made these brownies without butter/oil, eggs, sugar or flour!

Not only is this recipe easy, but it also only requires simple and easy to find ingredients. Black beans, almond meal, unsweetened applesauce, <72% Cacao Chocolate, vanilla extract and baking powder.

This recipe is part of my forthcoming Up-Cycled series. Each month, I am going to take common leftovers or things one might discard and show you how to re-purpose them. This recipe shows you what to do with leftover almond pulp!

Make sure you tag us on Instagram @ChefLisaVeg and hashtag #ChefLisaVeg if you recreate any of my recipes, I’d love to see your photos!

Easy Vegan Black Bean Brownies

Chef Lisa | 7/11/19

Black beans are the secret ingredient in my rich and fudgy brownies! These easy black bean brownies make for a PERFECT and UNIQUE and HEALTHY dessert as they are oil-free, gluten-free, flourless, sugar-free, rich in fiber and protein, keto friendly, paleo friendly AND ready in about 80 minutes. They are soooooo delicious and kids of all ages will LOVE them!

  • prep time: 20 mins
  • cook time: 60 mins
  • total time: 80 mins
  • servings: 16 brownies

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups cooked black beans (or 1 can rinsed and drained)
  • 1-1/2 cups almond meal or almond pulp*
  • 1 cup unsweetened applesauc
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 4 oz <72% data-preserve-html-node="true" data-preserve-html-node="true" cacao content chocolate, melted

OPTIONAL Figgy Frosting Ingredients & Instructions:

  • 4 oz dried figs
  • ¼ cup cacao powder
  • 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1-1/2 cups water
  • Dash of salt (optional)

Place all items in blender and blend till smooth.

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 315ºF and line an 8” x 8” square baking dish with parchment paper (or use a silicone baking pan).
  2. Melt chocolate in double boiler or on stove on low (do not scorch).
  3. Place almond meal, beans, applesauce & vanilla in food processor fitted with “S” blade and process to break down beans.
  4. Add melted chocolate and baking powder and process to incorporate.
  5. Place mixture into prepared pan and spread evenly. Place into the oven and bake for 60 minutes, rotating pan ½ way through. NOTE: toothpick should be mostly dry when inserted into the center.
  6. Cool completely on wire rack. Top with my Figgy Frosting or your favorite nut butter (if desired).

Notes:

  • Store in refrigerator in airtight container.
  • You can substitute another nut meal besides almond if desired.
  • You can substitute unsweetened cherry, pear or prune puree instead of applesauce if desired.
  • You can use cooked or canned beans for this recipe.

* If you make your own almond milk use the leftover pulp in place of almond meal.

Nutrition:

  • Serving: 16
  • Calories: 142
  • Fat: 9g
  • Carbs: 11g
  • Protein: 5g