This is my take on the Minimalist Baker’s Vegan Gluten Free Black Bean Brownies.  I have changed the recipe slightly; I swapped out the cane sugar for maple syrup and dates to add natural sweetness.  I also left out several ingredients by accident, I just got distracted by preparing the beans, and forget to check back on the recipe.  The brownies still turned out well despite having a parred down recipe.  In the Minimalist Baker recipe she made hers into cupcakes and I poured mine in a 8×8 pan.

Prep time: 15 mins

Bake time: 35 mins

• 1 3/4 cup cooked black beans
• 2 flax eggs
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 4 pitted medjool dates cut into quarters
• 3 tbsp coconut oil
• 1/4 cup walnut crumbs
• 1/4 cup chocolate chips

Easy Chocolate Frosting:

• 1/2 cup of dark chocolate chips
• 2 tbsp almond milk

1. If using dried beans, soak them overnight (or for 8 hrs).
2. After the beans have soaked, drain and rinse them.
3. In a saucepan, bring about 4 cups of water to a boil and add beans.  Bring to a boil again, then turn down to medium heat and simmer for 30 mins, or until the beans are soft.  Drain and rinse with cold water.
4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
5. Prepare the flax egg by mixing 2 tbsp of ground flax seeds with 6 tbsp of water and let sit for 5 mins.
6. Add cooked black beans, flax egg, cocoa powder, maple syrup, pieces of medjool dates, and coconut oil to the food processor to make your batter.
7. Transfer batter to a mixing bowl and stir in walnut crumbs and chocolate chips.
8. Pour batter into a greased 8×8 baking dish and bake for 35 minutes.
9. Let cool for at least 30 minutes – the longer the better as they will firm up as they cool.

Easy Chocolate Frosting:

1. Add dark chocolate chips to a small sauce pan on low heat and stir in almond milk.
2. Stir continuously so that the chocolate does not burn on to the saucepan.  This should only take a couple of minutes
3. Remove from heat when all of the chocolate chips have melted.
4. After the brownies have cooled, spread on the frosting.
5. Serve as is or with a scoop of ice cream, enjoy!