Secret-Ingredient Brownies

OK, I have had this recipe printed out since... August 24, 2009. It was so weird sounding that I really wanted to try it, but at the same time, I really didn't want to try it. Well, after almost 2 years of looking at it every time I flip through my recipe notebook, I finally tried it! The result: MMMMMmmmmmmm, brownies, right? YEAH! Only... shhhhh... with a secret ingredient! Pretty cool, huh? Sounds mysterious and exciting! Only exciting until you realize that the secret (oops!) secret ingredient is black beans. Pretty scary, huh? Now you all will have to think a couple years before you get brave enough to try it too, right? :D

Well, this is a super-duper "healthy" recipe from www.wholefoodsmarket.com, but if you're wondering, I did just use regular vanilla, regular sugar, and regular choco chips. So are you feeling brave? Here ya go:

Flourless Brownies

1 (15oz) can no-salt black beans, drained and rinsed

3 large eggs

1/3 cup melted butter, more for the baking dish

1/4 cup cocoa powder

1/8tsp salt

2 tsp. gluten-free vanilla extract

1/2 cup plus 2 Tbs cane sugar

1/2 cup gluten-free semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/3 cup finely chopped walnuts

Method:

Preheat oven to 350*

Butter an 8" baking pan. Place the black beans, eggs, melted butter, cocoa powder, salt, vanilla, and sugar in the bowl of a food processor and blend until smooth. Remove the blade and carefully stir in the chocolate chips and nuts. Transfer mixture to the prepared pan. Bake the brownies for 30-35 minutes, or until just set in the center. Cool before cutting into squares.

You will be interested to note that I gave Alex no warning or indication that there could be a strange ingredient in these delicious and delectable ooey-gooey brownies. I watched and waited while he ate the first half of his. Then I quickly informed him that there was a secret ingredient, and did he think he could identify it? His only suspicion was coffee (another indication that these are some GOOD brownies, right?). I had to tell him what it was. He was terribly impressed and had to bring the rest in to work to share the joy the next day :).

We did not notice any (ahem!) side effects from the beans, but y'know. It's just not normal to have to worry about those kind of issues coming from your brownies, of all things! Haha. I still snicker every time I think of these brownies. Will we eat them again? YES!!!! :D So there ya go!

Note: They look kind of weird in the picture because (1) I attempted to spread melted choco chips on the top of it just for extra bean-covering flavor (I was SCARED by this time!! Who wants a bean-ey flavored brownie?!?!?) and (2) because I cut and served them while they were still warm. Messy (but good)!!! SO! Go bake bean brownies. Shock your friends. Gross out your families! Have fun with it! :D