My house breaks all the rules and has pancakes for dinner and brownies for breakfast!
It gives me great satisfaction to know I can offer healthy brownies my kids love, and I can serve them for breakfast! Not only do I want to be able to make something that feels like an indulgence, but I can say yes to a second or third portion when my kids ask if they can have another piece.
I have tried many black bean brownie recipes, and I have also gone through multiple blenders. It is possible to use any blender in this recipe, and the key is to make the beans as smooth as possible, avoiding a grainy taste. I found a Vitamix blender online and saved a bundle because it was refurbished. It really does get the job done and well!
Brownies for Breakfast!
These brownies are gooey right out of the oven and next-day more fudge than brownie, so personally I like them best while they are still warm.
I know it sounds strange (and maybe even sneaky!) to put beans in brownies, but my kids attest to their delicious taste! It is an easy way to get my family to eat more beans, too!
Ingredients
2/3 cup buckwheat flour
2/3 cup oat flour (aka blended oats, or store bought oat flour)
1/2 cup almond flour
1 1/2 cups cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon iodized salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
3 cups cooked black beans (canned or boiled)
1/4 cup almond butter
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 cup date paste*
1 cup unsweetened, oil-free plant milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup vegan chocolate chips (I like Enjoy Life brand)
parchment paper or silicone cookware
Instructions
1. Line 9×13 pan with parchment paper.
2. Preheat oven to 350°.
3. Combine these ingredients in a powerful blender or food processor:
black beans
almond butter
applesauce
date paste
plant milk
vanilla
4. The mixture should be very smooth and the beans pureed.
5. In a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients:
buckwheat flour
oat flour
almond flour
cocoa powder
salt
baking powder
6. Fold the wet ingredients into the bowl and add half the chocolate chips.
7. Spread evenly into 9×13 pan and place remaining chocolate chips on top.
8. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until top is crisp and firm.
Notes
* Date paste is easy to make by soaking dates in boiling water for five minutes and then placing in your b lender. However, dry sweetener can be used in place of it. Use 1/2 cup dry sweetener and an extra 1/2 cup of applesauce in its place.