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    Nutella Swirled Black Bean Brownies: Gluten Free Goodness

    Published: Sep 20, 2016 ยท Modified: Feb 4, 2023 by Audrey ยท This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Gluten free brownies, made with black beans instead of flour, swirled with Nutella (chocolate hazelnut spread) for a dark chocolate treat.

    Nutella Swirled Black Bean Brownies are amazing moist, fudgy chocolate brownies that just so happen to be gluten free.

    One look at the ingredient list might make picky eaters balk at trying these brownies.

    Bake them in secret if you have to and don't tell about the secret ingredients if you need to.

    I did.

    My guys devoured them never guessing there was anything different about them other than the swirl of chocolate hazelnut spread.

    Ingredients for Nutella Swirled Black Bean Brownies

    Eggs - or an egg substitute for vegan.

    Baking powder, soda, vanilla, brown sugar, vegetable oil, cocoa powder - basic brownie ingredients.

    Are you with me so far? Good.

    Now, we get to the ARE YOU CRAZY ingredients:

    Black Beans - no, you don't taste them. They take the place of the flour and help give the beans a dark chocolate color.

    Vinegar - no, you don't taste it. This small amount is important though as it works with baking soda to make the brownies rise.

    Instant espresso or coffee powder - no, you don't taste it. Adding a pinch of espresso powder deepens the chocolate flavor without making the recipe taste like coffee.

    Black bean brownie topped with ice cream and nutella

    Recipe

    Print Recipe Pin Recipe

    Ingredients
     

    • 14 ounce can black beans (drained and rinsed)
    • 2 large eggs
    • 1 teaspoon vegetable or coconut oil
    • 1 teaspoon vinegar (any kind)
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • โ…“ cup cocoa powder
    • ยพ cups coconut or light brown sugar
    • ยฝ teaspoon baking powder
    • ยฝ teaspoon baking soda
    • ยผ teaspoon instant coffee or espresso powder
    • โ…• cup chocolate hazelnut spread (aka Nutella)

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 350ยฐF. Lightly oil a 9โ€ณ x 9โ€ณ baking pan.
    • Put the black beans, eggs, oil, vinegar, and vanilla in the blender. Mash the beans a little with a spoon or spatula. Then blend until mixture is smooth.
    • Add the cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and coffee. Blend just until smooth. DO NOT OVERMIX!
    • Pour batter into the prepared pan.
    • Drop the chocolate hazelnut spread by tablespoonful around the batter and swirl with a knife.
    • Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until brownies are set up and a toothpick tests clean. Allow brownies to cool 15 minutes before cutting into them.

    Sound tasty? Share it with other!

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    Until next time, happy eating.
    ~Audrey

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Michelle

      September 20, 2016 at 7:37 am

      Sounds like a fun challenge!?
      I love chopped. Very creative recipe!
      Thanks for sharing!
      Michelle

      Reply
      • Audrey

        September 20, 2016 at 10:34 am

        Some of the combinations get really challenging, this one wasn't too bad.

    2. Sarah Nenni Daher

      September 20, 2016 at 8:27 am

      I am going to send a friend over here because we were just talking about the need for more gluten-free sweets (her son was just diagnosed).

      What a wonderful combination (and a beautiful presentation)!

      Reply
      • Audrey

        September 20, 2016 at 10:34 am

        Thanks for sharing, Sarah.

    3. Kelster

      September 20, 2016 at 10:23 am

      Sunken brownies just means that you now have the perfect spot to load up the ice cream. Thanks for joining me on the sweet side! I need to try this recipe. I didn't like the black bean brownies that I've tried in the past but maybe I just tried horrible recipes.

      Reply
      • Audrey

        September 20, 2016 at 10:33 am

        I cried at first then came to the same conclusion

    4. Haley Bradley

      September 21, 2016 at 7:30 pm

      What a cool way to use mayo! I love to use it on chicken breasts with bread crumbs, but I would not have thought about brownies. My mom has made black bean brownies before, and they were so good!

      Reply
      • Audrey

        September 22, 2016 at 10:09 am

        I only did it for the challenge, normally I'd just use the egg and oil. But if you are out of one of those mayo can be a handy substitution.

    5. Lisa Pomerantz

      September 24, 2016 at 11:56 am

      Black beans and brownies YUMMMMMMM! You are genius. I'd have to not know about the mayo since I am not a fan, but I bet I can rig something up to utilize another ingredient! I love the way you thought of this! #FridayFrivolity

      Reply
      • Audrey

        September 24, 2016 at 4:29 pm

        Just use the egg and oil. It is what I normally use and only did the mayo for the challenge.

    6. Lisa/Syncopated Mama

      September 26, 2016 at 8:04 pm

      Well, I'd thought my comment worked earlier...I'd just pretty much said at least they tasted good... #FridayFrivolity

      Reply

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    Welcome, I'm Audrey, an avid "maker" that believes home made is better.

    Whether it's cooking, crafting, gardening, home dรฉcor, even blog design, I love getting my hands dirty and trying new things... even if I make a mess in the process.

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