double chocolate secret ingredient brownies

You know I love my healthy recipes - but to be honest - the real reason I made these was pure curiosity. Would they still give me my brownie fix? Can you taste the…beans? Yup, beans are the secret ingredient and after a little research I found out that they’re used pretty frequently in vegan baking as a butter substitute. I made some other changes to the original recipe to lighten them up even more. I mean, if we’re putting beans in there we might as well go all the way in the health department am I right?! I substituted the eggs for yogurt and cut the sugar way down. Don’t worry, I’ll still probably eat four in one sitting, let’s not get too carried away.

Result? These beauties are a thumbs up. You can’t taste the beans - if anything they’re just a nutty afterthought - and definitely add a smooth texture to the brownies. They’re fluffy yet fudgey, and very chocolatey. Make them if you’re curious too. I know you are!

(I need to buy a real brownie pan. Like this super fancy Williams Sonoma Goldtouch brownie pan...classy.)

Double Chocolate Secret Ingredient Brownies (based on this recipe) 3 tbs olive oil 1/4 cup black beans (or kidney) rinsed, drained and purèed 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate, chopped (I used one bar of dark chocolate) 1 cup sugar 1/2 cup plain, nonfat yogurt 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 1 cup flour 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly butter a 9-inch square baking pan and line with parchment, leaving an overhang on all sides. In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine oil, bean purèe and chocolate and microwave at 30-second intervals until melted completely. Add sugar and yogurt and mix well. Add vanilla, flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt and mix until just combined. Pour into prepared pan and bake for about 25-28 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan and cutting into squares.

Another unexpected secret ingredient that totally makes the recipe? This chocolate zucchini cake.
Have a great week, everyone. :)