Fudgy Black Bean Brownies Recipe with Easy Cacao Frosting (GF, Naturally Sweetened)

2020 update! This black bean brownie recipe (with cacao frosting!) might just blow your mind.💥Imagine a rich, fudgy and supremely chocolatey brownie with a luscious texture that melts in your mouth. What if I told you that the brownie is made with black beans instead of flour, that it contains no refined sugar? Oh yes, my friends, these black bean brownies are going to astound you. (Video below)

Black bean brownies with cacao frosting

I first saw black bean brownie recipes pop up on the web a few years ago, and I must admit, I was skeptical. Black beans? In brownies? But curiosity eventually got the best of me, and I was shocked at the outcome. The black beans give the brownies a luscious, almost fudge-like texture. The beans are completely undetectable (trust me, Ella can spot a bean anywhere, and she LOVES these!).

Naturally sweetened black bean brownies

In this recipe, I’ve replaced white sugar with maple syrup, making the brownies naturally sweetened. Chopped dark chocolate provides extra flavor (because more is always better, amiright?), and a splash of coffee liquor (or you could go for brewed coffee) provides a deep flavor. I also created a two-minute, four-ingredient chocolate frosting to slather over the top (because why not?!). The result is a sinfully delicious treat that’s practically angelic.

Easy black bean brownies recipe

This black bean brownie recipe is now one of my staples, and it couldn’t be easier to make. The batter is made right in a high-speed blender or food processor. The ingredients are buzzed together until smooth. Instead of using all-purpose flour, they’re made with almond flour, making them naturally gluten-free.

Easy cacao frosting

The frosting is made with just cacao powder, coconut oil, maple syrup and vanilla. The ingredients are stirred together until shiny and smooth. I love raw cacao powder for its rich chocolatey flavor, but you could use a high-quality cocoa powder instead.

The cacao frosting is then slathered over the cooled brownies, taking them over the top.

These black bean brownies are a quick and easy dessert. My girls adore them, and they’ve become a begged for mid-week treat that I don’t mind giving into. As for me, I find they’re best enjoyed all alone in a quiet space, preferably eaten slowly with one’s eyes closed. It’s the most delicious form of daily meditation (just don’t tell my kids where to find me).

Other chocolate desserts to try:

• Chocolate Quinoa Cake with Cocoa Whipped Cream Frosting: This stunning chocolate cake is real showstopper, and I promise that nobody will have a clue that it’s made with quinoa!
• Chocolate Fondue: This ultra silky chocolate fondue is another favorite, and it comes together in minutes.
• The Easiest Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake: This fuss-free chocolate cake comes together in under an hour using just a handful of ingredients.

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Fudgy Black Bean Brownies with 2-Minute Cacao Frosting (Gluten-Free, Dairy Free, Naturally Sweetened)

These super fudgy black bean brownies are supremely rich and chocolaty with a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Best of all, they come together in minutes right in a high-speed blender or food processor! I prefer to use raw cacao powder in these brownies, as it has a deeper flavor than regular unsweetened cocoa powder (it also happens to be higher in antioxidants). If you go for cocoa powder, just choose a high quality brand.

Prep Time20 mins

Cook Time25 mins

Total Time45 mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: black bean brownies, black bean brownies recipe, healthy brownie recipe

Servings: 16 brownies

Author: Nicki Sizemore

Ingredients

For the brownies:

• Cooking spray or oil, for pan
• 1 cup drained and rinsed unsalted black beans
• ½ cup maple syrup
• 2 large eggs
• ¼ cup virgin coconut oil, melted and cooled slightly
• ¼ cup raw cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons coffee liqueur or strong brewed coffee
• ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
• 2 tablespoons almond flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 1/3 cup finely chopped bittersweet chocolate or mini chocolate chips

For the frosting:

• ¾ cup raw cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted to remove any lumps
• 1/3 cup virgin coconut oil, melted and cooled slightly
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch salt

Instructions

Make the brownies

• Preheat the oven to 350˚F. Grease an 8-inch baking pan with coconut oil or cooking spray. If you'd like, line the pan crosswise with parchment paper, leaving an overhang (this will make it easy to pull the brownies out later!).
• In a high-speed blender or food processor, add the black beans, maple syrup, eggs, coconut oil, cacao powder, vanilla, coffee liqueur and salt. Blend on high until completely smooth (stop and scrape the sides as needed). Add the almond flour and baking powder. Blend on low just until incorporated. Add the chopped chocolate and pulse to combine.
• Scrape the batter into the prepared baking dish, and spread it in an even layer. Bake until the brownies look matte on top with a few small cracks, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean with a few sticky crumbs, 25-30 minutes. Set the pan on a wire rack, and let cool completely. Using the parchment paper as handles, transfer the brownies to a cutting board or platter.

Make the frosting

• For the frosting, sift the cacao powder into a bowl and add the maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla and salt. Using a rubber spatula (and working quickly so that the coconut oil doesn't harden), gradually stir everything together until smooth and thick. Immediately spread the frosting over the brownies (don't dally, as if the coconut oil starts to harden the frosting could turn grainy). Let sit at room temperature or refrigerate to allow the frosting to firm up (or just dive on in; I’m not judging!).
• Cut the brownies into 16 squares, and enjoy!

Notes

Do Ahead: The brownies can be covered and stored at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Tips:

• You will need a high-speed blender such as a Vitamix or a food processor to make this recipe. 
• I prefer using raw cacao powder in this recipe, which has a richer, deeper flavor than regular cocoa powder (it’s also higher in antioxidants!). I also use it in this cake. 
• If you don’t have coffee liqueur you can swap it out for 2 teaspoons of brewed coffee or 1 scant teaspoon of instant coffee granules (or omit it altogether)!

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