Black Bean Brownies

These days, I catch about 10 minutes of t.v. as I drift off to sleep at night.  I saw this recipe on the Food Network the other night and kept myself awake long enough to make a mental note of the ingredients.  Impressed that I could still remember them four days later, I decided to give it a shot.  They were great!  A little bit cakey but also very rich and chocolaty, and super moist without being greasy.  They also had a really smooth texture to them which we all loved.  And, seeing as they are, shall we say, full of beans, we just called them "healthy" too...


 Recipe from Melissa d'Arabian, as seen on The Food Network:

1 Cup canned black beans, drained
1/2 Cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
2/3 Cup sugar
1/4 Cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon instant coffee or espresso
1/2 Cup melted chocolate (can use melted chocolate chips)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/3 Cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 Cup mini chocolate chips

Blend beans and oil in a blender or food processor until smooth.  Add eggs, sugar, cocoa powder, instant coffee, melted chocolate, and vanilla and blend for another minute or so until well mixed.  In a separate bowl, combine baking powder, flour, and salt.  Pulse in flour mixture just until blended.  Stir in chocolate chips.  Pour into lightly greased 9x9 glass baking dish.  Bake for 23-27 minutes at 350 degrees.