Based on a recipe from Activist Mommy, but adapted to be less mushy for my taste.
Black Bean “Brownies”:
Non-stick cooking spray
1/2 cup (39 g) quick-cooking oats
1/2 cup (47 g) shredded coconut
1/4 cup (48 g) raw sugar
1/4 cup (30 g) carob powder
1/2 cup (100 g) roasted chestnuts or other nuts
15 ounces (1 can, 425 g) cooked black beans, drained and rinsed
2 ripe medium bananas
8 dried dates
2 tablespoons (30 ml) unsweetened almond or other nondairy milk, more if needed
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extractPreheat oven to 350°F (180°C, or gas mark 4). Lightly coat an 8-inch (20-cm) square baking pan with spray.
Place oats, coconut, and sugar in food processor. Blend until finely ground.
Add the rest of the ingredients. Blend until perfectly smooth, scraping sides occasionally, and adding extra milk if the batter is too stiff.
Place into prepared pan, leveling with a spatula.
Bake for 27 minutes, or until the brownies are set and firm to the touch
Let cool on a wire rack, still in the pan. Chill for at least 4 hours before slicing and serving.
Enjoy cold, store in fridge.
Louise
08/01/2008 at 11:38 pmI bought some black beans today to make the original version of this recipe, but after seeing this version I think I’ll definitely try these ones instead!
Bugzy
03/30/2009 at 5:55 pmMade the original recipe for black bean brownies yesterday and they were wonderful! Had them with a vegan coffee ice cream on top and what a treat! I used 1/4 cup of instant espresso (dry) and the brownies were very cakey and delicious – not at all fudgey and gooey.
Marie
10/12/2008 at 4:12 pmI made these (had to cut the recipe in half as my only can of black beans had been used for delicious spring rolls earlier) and I really liked them! I struggle not to eat the whole thing as I wanted to see how refrigeration would improve them! Yummm. They would be perfect for breakfast and I’ll make them again. Thank you!
Celine
10/12/2008 at 4:18 pmI’m glad you’re liking them, Marie! I always end up freezing mine because otherwise, it’d be all I’d eat the whole day. brownies, brownies, and more brownies. [bean overdose!]
outoftheoven
05/07/2010 at 10:32 amI am really interested in trying these, but am allergic to coconut. Do you think the brownies would still turn out if I left the coconut out?
Celine
05/07/2010 at 10:25 pmI think several other people nixed it when making a batch of these without problem. go for it!
Brigitte
09/01/2012 at 11:13 amI tried this great idea last week – wow, wow, wow I really love these brownies!
Celine
09/02/2012 at 10:22 pmYay, so happy to hear!
Proud Vegetarian
06/19/2016 at 7:37 pmi NEED SOME OF THOSE BROWNIES, SEEMS LIKE A GREAT ALTERNATIVE FOR PROTEIN AND A DESSERT
Celine
06/19/2016 at 8:58 pmHopefully you’ll like! I love them but they can be a bit of an acquired taste if one expects the outcome to be exactly like regular brownies.