Pin Win Recipe Review - Amazing Flour-less (Black Bean) Brownies

While searching for "clean eating" desserts, Pinterest led me (as it often does) to the never-failing Skinnytaste website. I assumed her Amazing Flour-Less Brownies would be an obvious Pin Win, but was, at first, a little leery on a black bean brownie.  

We've been wanting to "clean" up our act, and while these aren't entirely "clean", (they contain white sugar), they are certainly a healthy alternative to another Pin Win brownie recipe I use and love that Todd just calls "Chocolate Flavored Butter" (maybe I'll share that one another time). 

These. Were. Amazing.

The recipe made 9 delicious, fudgy, gooey generous sized brownies, and, I'll admit, we ate the whole pan in one night. We gave each of the boys one...which means Todd and I......well, we ate 3 each. And I don't feel one bit of shame!

I used half the amount of chocolate chips of the original recipe, and truthfully, will omit them completely next time just to cut calories. The chocolate chips were a tasty addition, but not necessary for sweetness. I also used milk chocolate chips because that's what I had on hand. I didn't feel like dragging out the food processor, so I blended the beans, eggs and liquid ingredients in my Magic Bullet Blender (12 years old and still going strong by the way!) and then poured that over the dry ingredients, mixed well and then folded in the chocolate chips. 

I have to give shout-out to the Galena Garlic Company's Espresso Balsamic Vinegar*. Obviously, any balsamic would have worked just fine in this recipe, but with the hint of espresso and the instant coffee, the combination gave such a rich, dark flavor to the finished product. (*I don't see the Espresso listed on their website-so I'm wondering if its an in-store-only or if I just happened to snag a last lucky bottle. The Dark Chocolate or truly, any of the fruits, would be a nice substitute. If you happen to be near any of their locations, I highly recommend visiting their shop for a taste-test of your own. The possibilities are endless!!)

When an 11 year old, 8 year old and 6 year old tell you these were the "best brownies" they've ever had "IN MY LIFE!" you know you've found your go-to. I'm going to try to replace the sugar with honey to "clean" it up just a little further, and will report back, but regardless, this is my new standard. 

Visit Skinnytaste for the original version. Here is my adaptation:

Ingredients:
1 (14 oz) canned low-sodium black beans, rinsed and drained  

2 large eggs
1/2 cup cocoa powder
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon oil
1 tablespoon skim milk
1 teaspoon good balsamic vinegar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon of  instant coffee granuals
1/2 cup milk chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350° F. Grease a nonstick 9 x 9-inch square baking pan (or 8x8 for a tad thicker brownie) with baking spray.

Blend the black beans, eggs, cocoa powder, sugar, oil, milk, balsamic, baking soda, baking powder and coffee in the blender until smooth and pour into a bowl. Fold in 1/2 cup chocolate chips until combined.  Pour the brownie batter in a greased 8x8 or 9x9 pan.  

Bake the brownies until a toothpick comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes.  Allow the brownies to cool completely before slicing them into squares.