Black Bean Brownies with Homemade Fudge Icing are high in protein and fiber. They are also so fudgy and decadent that you would never realize a healthy switch has been made!
My dear friend and college roommate Lori gave me this recipe. She is an expert in making good food that is lower in fat and calories. Adding black beans to these brownies not only cuts calories but adds protein and fiber.
Here’s a little #tbt for you! The two of us at my college graduation from UF.
AND the two of us at my wedding in Maui.
(Want to see more wedding pics? Check out my wedding page, first anniversary post & second anniversary post)
AND here is one of her brownies. Because they are too good to be true.
The brownies themselves are made with two ingredients. Only TWO!!! Sorry for yelling, but easy baking makes me a little excited.
(This picture is not an endorsement of these brands, just to prove it only takes TWO ingredients.)
All you do is open the can of black beans and rinse well.
You put the rinsed beans back in the can and fill the can the rest of the way with water.
Pour the water and beans in a blender or food processor and blend, blend, blend!
Combine the box brownies with the blended black beans and mix well. Pour in a pan and approximately 45 minutes later you have brownie perfection.
While the brownies are in the oven, you make the fudgy icing in a pan. It’s not quite as healthy, but light butter and almond milk do cut down on some of the fat.
When the brownies are done, you pour the icing on top. It will firm up and leave you with an unbelievable treat.
These seriously might be some of the best brownies you’ve ever tried. Aside from the sly chuckle I gave him when I handed the hubs one, he had no idea there were black beans in them. They are that good.
Black Bean Brownies with Homemade Fudge Icing
Ingredients
- 1 box your favorite brownie mix
- 1 15 oz can black beans
- For Icing
- 3 tablespoons butter or light butter
- 3 tablespoons almond milk
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven according to package instructions.
- Drain and rinse the black beans.
- Put the black beans back in the can and fill the rest of the can with water.
- Pour the black beans and water in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
- Combine black beans with contents of boxed brownie mix.
- Pour in a greased 8 x 8 glass pan and bake for 45-50 minutes
- Allow the brownies to cool slightly while you make the icing.
- Melt the butter in a sauce pan and add the almond milk and sugar to butter. Bring to a rapid boil and allow to cook for 30 seconds.
- Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla an chocolate chips until it is all blended.
- While the brownies are still warm pour homemade icing on top. It will firm up within minutes.
Nutrition
Your turn?
Do you have any tricks to cut calories?
Are you still friends with your college roommate?
I actually had two and I’m still friends with both of them!
Melissa says
Are the nutrition facts with or without the frosting?
JulieWunder says
I included the icing in the count! Enjoy - Julie
Jessica Joy @The Fit Switch says
I am dying to try this recipe on my mom-in-law, but scared at the same time. HAHA. SHe is an avid chocolate lover, but a health food hater. Hmmm, she has a great sense of humor, so it's worth a shot. I'll let you know how it goes. tehe. Thanks for linking up. Looking forward to getting to know you better!
JulieWunder says
She will never know! My husband had no idea and now asks for them all the time. Just buy a really good brownie mix.
jill conyers says
Now I'm craving a brownie. I remember the first time I saw a black bean brownie recipe. I thought no way could that be good. I was so wrong!
Farrah says
Hoorayyy for simple recipes! 😀 I still haven't managed to venture into the world of making black bean brownies--I think I'll start with this one! :]!
Mary Beth Jackson says
oh, I am so trying this! No way! we shall see if the hubby can figure it out! LOL! and yes, I have had the same best friend since I was 15, she went to USF and I was at UF, wouldn't trade her for the world!
Amy @ Life to the Full says
This is such a fun twist to box brownies! My husband loves box brownies and next time I'm going to sneak some black beans into the mix 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Pragati // Simple Medicine says
I see black bean brownies alll the time, but I've never actually made them. I really need to try this soon!
Paula says
Thank you, Julie, for sharing your upbeat, informative and fun website. Always enjoyed seeing you on WLOS, and love following your transition. So enjoyed your college and wedding photos. Best of success, and THANK YOU for the brownie recipe! Warm regards,
Blane Sherer says
Like the brownie " alternative " and I especially like the pictures of you and your college roomie.Time flies doesn't it ?
Melissa @ Freeing Imperfections says
The icing looks amazing!!!! I like that these are a treat but have some serious fiber. Nice perk! I will be making soon 🙂
Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie says
Um, yum! I tried making black bean brownies once, but it was a recipe that was solely the black beans and had no brownie mix. It was not a success and kinda scared me from black bean brownies. But this recipe looks like it would be soooo much better - especially with the Ghiradeli mix!
millie says
you were a beautiful bride and i love your grown and i will try your brownies, they look good, my husband is a type one diabetic, so he probably can eat those, have a great day
JulieWunder says
Hi Millie! Thank you so much! My wedding pictures make my heart so happy. I'd check the sugar content on the brownie box just to make sure they will not give him problems. They may make a lower sugar count box of brownies.
Angi says
Do you know if this works the same with a gluten-free brownie mix?
JulieWunder says
I think it would, but I did not test it that way so I can not guarantee it. I did a google search for Gluten-free black bean brownies and it looks like people do make them this way too. Let me know what you decide to do.
Angi says
These were fantastic and worked perfectly with a gluten-free brownie mix. Thanks for posting it!
Heather @fitncookies says
Wow I never saw your wedding pictures (looking now!) but gosh you were stunning! Loved your dress!!
JulieWunder says
Thank you so much 🙂 That makes my heart happy!
Jenny says
I'm going to make these ASAP! I love making things with 'sneaky veggies' or amped up protein and nutrition. This swap is amazing! I've made the box mix/canned pumpkin swap, but this sounds like it'll make for even fudgier brownies. Thanks Julie and Lori!
JulieWunder says
Yeah, I'm not sure I will ever make brownies the other way again.
Jessie says
Mmm!! I'm going to take your word for it & believe there as delicious as you say 🙂
JulieWunder says
Totally worth it! Spring for the fancy box brownies too... at least that is what Lori told me 🙂