Triple Chocolate Brownies

Recipe from Everyday Food

Husband-Tested in Alice’s Kitchen

Makes 16

My buddy, Jean, served these moist chocolaty brownies at our book group. After they were gobbled up, she revealed a secret ingredient…black beans.  You would never guess this healthy ingredient was in this treat.  Pureed black beans replace some of the butter used in most brownies.  Most brownies have 11 grams of fat each, but these have 7 grams of fat.  Adding walnuts will pack a good dose of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids as well as protein and fiber. Serve these fabulous brownies with a cold glass of skim milk or a hot cup of tea or coffee.

Ingredients

¼ cup (½ stick) unsalted butter, plus more for baking pan

¼ cup black beans, rinsed, drained, and pureed until completely smooth

3 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped (½ cup)

2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped (1/3 cup)

1 1/3 cups sugar

2 large eggs, plus 1 large egg white

1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)

¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

½ teaspoon baking powder
Pinch of Kosher salt

½ cup chopped walnuts, optional

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly butter a 9-inch square baking pan and line with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on all sides. (I used an 8-inch square pan.) 

In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine butter, bean puree, and chocolates and microwave in 30-second increments, stirring each time, until melted and smooth, about 1 ½ to 2 minutes.

Whisk in sugar, eggs and egg white, and vanilla until smooth.

In a small bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Stir into chocolate mixture until just combined.

Pour batter into pan; smooth top.

Bake until top is cracked and a toothpick inserted in center has moist crumbs attached, about 25 minutes.  (Because I used an 8-inch square pan, I increased the baking time to 30 minutes.)  The center will seem undercooked but will set further as it cools. 

Let cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Using parchment, lift brownie from pan and cut into 16 squares.

Cook's Note

Store brownies in an airtight container, up to 3 days.

Nutritional Information per brownie:  155 calories; 7 grams fat (4 grams saturated fat); 3 grams protein; 24 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams fiber