SPECIAL brownies...

black bean.... brownies??? Yes! Call me crazy but these suckers are GOOD! I was very skeptical when I first heard about these, but brownie mix is pretty cheap, so I figured what the heck, worst case scenario they are gross and I throw them out, best case scenario - they are awesome and I finally get to feel less guilty about indulging in one of my all time favorite desserts. So, I threw caution to the wind and whipped up a batch. I added in a cream cheese layer and a candy topping because hey, they are still dessert and all the healthiness of the beans cancels out the unhealthiness of the candy/cream cheese right, right?? These were sooo good! Not even a hint of beany flavor. They were denser than usual from mix brownies with a rich, fudgy texture. I took them to work and forced everyone to try them BEFORE I divulged the secret ingredient, everyone thought they were great and they were FLABBERGASTED when I told them that they were made with beans. I sprinkled the top of the brownies with m&ms and Junior Caramels then drizzled them with caramel sauce. yum, yum, YUM!

Black Bean Brownies

Recipe from: ??? I don't remember where I first heard about these from...

Ingredients

1 Box of your favorite brownie mix

1 Can unseasoned black beans

Thoroughly rinse beans. Put beans back in can, cover with water. Pour beans and water into blender.

Puree until smooth.

Add black bean puree to packaged brownie mix and make according to directions on box. OR if you wanna make your brownies a little more decadent, see below....

Optional Cream Cheese Filling and Candy Toppings

1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened

4 teaspoons all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/3 cup sugar

2 regular size packages M&Ms

1 box Junior Caramels

1/4 cup caramel ice cream topping (not pictured)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8x8 inch baking pan and set aside. Make brownie batter according to above instructions, just don't bake quite yet!

In a separate bowl mix together cream cheese, flour, sugar and vanilla until smooth.

Pour 2/3 of the brownie batter into prepared baking pan.

Pour cream cheese mixture on top of brownie batter and use a spatula to spread.

Top cream cheese layer with remaining brownie batter. Put in oven and bake for 25 minutes.

Remove brownies from oven (they won't be done quite yet) and sprinkle with m&ms and caramels. Return brownies to oven and continue to bake for 10-12 more minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out with a few fudgy crumbs stuck to it.

When baked, remove from oven and drizzle with caramel topping.

Allow to cool, prepare to be blown away by the deliciousness that is BLACK BEAN BROWNIES!!

Lemme know what you think!

Real Food Wednesday