Satisfying a picky eater is not an easy task. Little A hates veggies, so I try different ways to incorporate them in her diet. I add grated carrots in Savoury Pancakes which she eats with no fuss. Similarly I add grated Daikon, carrots,spinach,beets in tortillas( to the dough). Pumpkin puree comes to help in most baked items. I was very happy to see this month’s Daring Baker’s Challenge. It was a perfect challenge for Mom’s like me who struggle with their kids eating habits. I loved all the recipe’s suggested by Ruth and was particularly intrigued with the “Cashew Chocolate Kidney Bean Brownies”. I have made brownies with Adzuki beans long back and wasn’t happy with the taste. One could easily make out the beans in the finished item. Since then I have used Beets puree in Brownies and Cakes and have been happy with it. I wonder why I never posted them so far!
Ruth mentioned that she had tested these brownies in half a dozen people and no body could identify the kidney beans in it. And she was so right…I baked these Brownies and no one could taste the beans. I have already made this twice. Little A loved them too…she enjoyed each and every bite . I was amazed to even see the “Scottish Macaroons” in Ruth’s blog. You would be surprised to know that she made them using mashed potatoes….can you believe it? Head on to her lovely blog for more such recipes.
Ruth from Makey-Cakey was our March 2013 Daring Bakers’ challenge host. She encouraged us all to get experimental in the kitchen and sneak some hidden veggies into our baking, with surprising and delicious results!
I made a few changes in the recipe to suit our taste buds. I have reduced sugar by ¼ cup, reduced one egg and also added Instant dry milk. I have also omitted two tablespoons of maple syrup, mentioned in the original recipe. And finally to make it all the more chocolaty I have added ¼ cup white chocolate chips which is optional.
Ingredients
- 1 cup kidney beans
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons instant dry milk(milk powder)
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- ½ cup canola Oil
- 4 large eggs ( I have used 3 eggs)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup raw cashew nuts (can use roasted cashews, but unsalted is best)
- 1/4 cup white chocolate chips(optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease and base line your baking tin(8x8 square).
- Drain, rinse and puree the kidney beans until smooth - if in doubt, blend it a bit more - bits of unblended kidney bean in the finished brownie spoil the ‘hidden’ element of surprise!
- Combine all the ingredients apart the nuts and beat well until mixed. You could do this in a food processor or mixer if you wanted.Stir in the nuts.Pour into the prepared tin, and bake for about 25 minutes until just firm to the touch.Cool in the tin, then cut, serve, allow people to enjoy, and then surprise them with the secret ingredient!
Hope you enjoy making these brownies. I am posting late this month….better late than never. Thanks Ruth for a great Challenge!
Bon Appétit
Nina
Hi Nina, I have heard a lot about black bean brownies but until now have never seen a brownie recipe using kidney beans. Yours looks great (love the brown and white and sugar-dusted look of the photos)! I would have to make some substitutions. I’ve been using a vegan protein powder for dried milk powder, I hope that would work here. I can’t have cashews so I think I would use macadamias here. Saving/sharing the recipe to Pinterest now, thanks!
Mary @ Fit and Fed recently posted..Polenta Torte
Thanks Mary. The milk powder is totally optional. Hope you like them:)
They look amazing! I really have to try making brownies with beans.
Cheers,
Rosa
Thank you Rosa:)
Kidney beans - I am so intrigued by these! Love the addition of white chocolate. They look wonderful!
sally @ sallys baking addiction recently posted..Skinny Chocolate Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies.
Thanks Sally
Beans in a brownie! and why not? Is not chocolate zucchini bread a delicious cake?
Well done!
Helena / Rico sin Azúcar recently posted..Tarta-brownie con crema de queso y glaseado de chocolate {el mejor brownie no es un brownie}
Oh yes Helena Chocolate and Zuchini makes a great combo:)
I’ve never made Black Bean Brownies, but these look fantastic. All the blogs that I’ve seen this recipe on, everyone swears by it. I need to give it a chance and see if it really tastes like the real thing.
Gorgeous photos.
Honey What’s Cooking recently posted..Crushed Tortilla Salsa Mac & Cheese… reduced fat!
Thanks Nisha. Hope you like it too:)