The only thing better than celebrating graduation with ooey gooey brownies is celebrating graduation with ooey gooey dark chocolate raspberry brownies. With black beans. I mean duh.
I can’t believe it’s over. Mostly because it often felt like it would never end. Everyone keeps asking me what’s next; and the truth is that I don’t exactly know yet. I do know that I plan on taking the RD exam in June before I leave for Europe and will continue my job search until then.
I want to offer private nutrition counseling.
I want to have a healthy meal delivery service.
I want to write a cookbook.
I want to become a personal trainer.
I’m only half kidding. But really. I have BIG dreams. I want to change the world, one chickpea at a time. Of course I want to do a million bajillion different things, which I’m sure doesn’t surprise you one little bit.
There are a couple exciting opportunities floating in the air that I can’t talk about just yet, but stay tuned. What I can tell you that I’ll be partnering with the fabulous Columbus Barre3 for some fun nutrition events at the end of May! I’ll talk details in a later post, but get excited.
And hungry.
Whatever I end up doing or not doing, know that I’ll always be here. Your comments, emails and feedback are beyond inspiring. There’s nothing I love more than hearing this blog has been a stepping stone in your journey to health and happiness.
Except maybe these brownies.
When I came home a couple weeks ago to a package of five dark chocolate bars from Theo Chocolate, I nearly died. If you know anything about me, you must know that I freaking adore dark chocolate. I eat it pretty much every night. I bought Theo on my own before their lovely chocolate showed up on my doorstep, not only because it’s incredibly delish, but also because it’s organic, fair trade, and has a stellar ingredient list. Did I mention the gorgeous packaging? That counts, too. But the best part about Theo is their mission, their passion for the connections that exist from bean to bar. Theo chocolate is sustainably grown with fair trade practices and produced in small batches for the a truly divine chocolate bar that’s rooted in passion.
When I saw that raspberries were on sale at the store, the lightbulb went off like immediately. Fresh raspberries + Theo raspberry dark chocolate = brownies. DUH!
I learned a lot in grad school, but what really stuck with me throughout my thesis research is that a third of the 585,720 deaths from cancer each year could be prevented by healthy diet and a focus on plant-based foods. That’s 193,290 lives. Doesn’t it seem obvious?! Eat more plants!
Cheers to beany brownies and oh ya know, just saving hundreds of thousands of lives a year with nutrition.
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Studded with fresh raspberries, these gluten-free black bean brownies are not only rich and fugdy, but also secretly loaded with fiber.
Ingredients
- 1-15oz can black beans, drained and very well rinsed
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup almond meal
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 eggs
- 2 tbsp coconut oil, melted
- 2 tbsp brewed coffee
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1.5 oz Theo 70% Raspberry Dark Chocolate bar, chopped*
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips
- 1-6oz pkg fresh raspberries
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line an 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray. (I like to cut two even strips to cover the dish evenly both ways.)
- Add rinsed beans, cocoa powder, almond meal, maple syrup, eggs, coconut oil, coffee, vanilla, baking powder and salt to the bowl of a large food processor. Process until completely smooth (a couple minutes).
- Stir in dark chocolate, chocolate chips and raspberries by hand.
- Pour batter into prepared baking dish.
- Bake for about 35 minutes, or until brownies are set in the middle. Cool for ten minutes in pan before transferring brownies (still on parchment paper) to a cooling rack. Once completely cooled, slice into 12-16 squares.
- Store brownies in an air-tight container for a few days and then transfer to the fridge.
Notes
*You can use another dark chocolate bar if you don’t have Theo or you could use 1/2 cup chocolate chips.
Adapted from my Simple Truth Ultimate Black Bean Brownies
Theo sent me a complimentary package of their products. I was not compensated for this post nor asked to review the products. I simply love their chocolate and wanted to share it with you all!
Congrats on your graduation! I want to go back to school for nutrition. I’m so tired of corporate America and want to do something good that I love. These brownies look deeeelicious! I haven’t made any with black beans yet but is definitely on my list of try’s.
You totally should!!!
Congratulations on your graduation! These brownies look incredible – I guess I’ll have to print the recipe and save it for a month, I’m guessing I can’t eat these during the Barre3 challenge? Can’t wait to see what you’ve got going on with them!
Thank you so much, Tiffanie! You actually CAN eat these during the barre3 challenge–they just say no to refined sugar, but maple syrup is fine 🙂
Finally listened to the May 1 lecture this morning and am understanding a lot more. At the beginning I thought I had to follow their meal plan exactly each day. I will try these this weekend 🙂 I hope the challenge is going well for you!
Fabulous! I cheated MAJORLY this past weekend because I was home. I had gluten galore! I’m back on track this week, though 🙂
Could you whip up a batch of these, feed them to me, and not tell me about the beans? I had a bad experience with black bean brownies once, which totally scarred me for life. You make these look so good, though, that I might just have to give them another chance…
A bad beany brownie experience?! Tell me it isn’t soo!!! Give them another chance, for me 😉
Your posts always make me smile! Congrats on finishing grad school! I am a big fan of whacking the old bean into a brownie recipe – these look great!
Awww thanks so much, Lauren! That’s so sweet 🙂
I was telling D I was doing a legume/bean challenge in you and her honour…this look so delicious, I’d be willing to suffer stomach pains for yearssssss..
Congrats champ. You will be a nice Crest Queen. One day.
Eat allllll the beans in my honor!! Thanks, mah dude 🙂
CONGRATS on finishing! WOW! You are gonna excel in whatever you chose to do, Alexis!
There is proof of that- in these brownies – they look so super dense and moist! Deeeelicious!
I have lost a friend, an aunt, a family friend and 2 coworkers to cancer – what totally boggles my mind about them is that 3 out of 5 of them were extremely healthy eaters – one even practiced a raw food diet but got colon cancer…makes me scratch my head…
Thanks so much for your sweet comment, Shashi! WOW–that is so crazy about the loved ones you lost to cancer. Cancer is such a scary thing…there are so many causes that have yet to even be discovered!
Gorgeous sounding recipe – could any other type of bean be used?? Congratulations on your graduation..
★★★★★
I’m honestly not sure, Laura! I don’t see why not, though it may change the color and look less like a brownie. Let me know if you try another bean!
OMG these look amazing, do you think they wud work with a flax/chia pretend egg thing? Cuz I can’t have eggs.
Congrats on graduating, makes all the hard work worth while!
Where are you planning to visit in Europe? I’ve been to loads of places & live in France, so if you need any help, just ask 😉
Nikki
I think they’d work with flax eggs! They may just be more delicate, and they’re delicate already. Let me know how they work out!!
Love the idea of a raspberry black bean brownies… beans+ chocolate= love. Congrats on graduating, can’t wait to hear what you will be doing next!! Good luck on the RD exam and upcoming adventures 🙂
Thanks, Jess! So excited!
What an amazing post! Congrats on this new chapter in your life. What an exciting time!!! I will buy your cookbook, of course! And Theo Chocolate is incredible! I also love their packaging -it’s tantalizing 🙂
Thanks a ton, Allison!!!
I’ll be your pinky to your brain…Let’s conquer the WORLD! But seriously. Also I need deets on EUROPE.
Congrats on grad, lovely! You’re amazing. I shall eat chickpeas in your honour.
For real, doughhhhh. I know you’re eating all the chickpeas right now 😉
you know what’s creepy? I really am eating chickpeas right now…
I said it on your FB page, but I gotta say it again: CONGRATS!! I really am so happy for you. I feel the same way sometimes in that there’s just so much I want to do in life. Guess what? We can! These brownies look incredible. Right up my alley!
You’re so sweet, Maryea! Thank you 🙂 We can, we can, we can!!!
Congratulations on graduating and good luck on the RD exam. =)
I know you’ll do great in life. These brownies look delicious! =)
Thanks so much, Helen!!
im sooooo freaking proud of you 🙂
You’re the sweetest, Dixya!! KISSES.
These look so delicious!!! I just bought a couple Theo bars – they were on sale at WFM. Congrats on being done with grad school and looking forward to see what adventures await you. You’re going to do great things!
Thanks so much, Dana!! Theo is the best 🙂
Looks good!
Huge congrats on all the new life developments! I can’t wait to hear how everything pans out! LOVE these black bean brownies with deeelish raspberries all up in them!! Definitely the perfect way to celebrate. Them + alcohol 😉 Cheers to changing the world one chickpea at a time! 🙂
★★★★★
Thanks lovely lady!! I definitely came home on Saturday night and smashed a black bean brownie or three under the influence….
I can’t wait to buy your cookbook and share it with errryoonnne.
You’re going to change the world lady!
You’re the bomb dot commmmmm and I love you times a million. Derrr.
I’m so inspired, as always, by your ambition and healthy treat secrets. Can’t wait to make these brownies. Can we say top priority? Hehe. : ) Congrats on your graduation, from a fan of Hummusapien.
Thanks SO much, Beth. That comment made my day!! Thanks for reading and all your support 🙂
Alexis, I just made these, they are so yummy!!! I wanted to congratulate you one your graduation and a belated 24th bday. I am a HUGE fan of hummusapien. I make a new recipe every week in addition to my weekly favs. I haven’t had one I didn’t like:)
Robin
Awww thanks so much, Robin! Your comment made my day 🙂 Thanks for being such a fabulous fan and I’m thrilled that you loved the brownies!
Yeah, I can definitely deal with this! Theo is my favorite…Nice job, girl! 🙂
Isn’t it the best?! Sooo rich and creamy!
Congrats on graduation (late, I know, I’m sorry!!). I just pinned these, they look soooo good. I’ve seen Theo chocolate but haven’t tried it… this is the perfect excuse!
Thanks so much, darling!!
These look amazing, Alexis. Theo Chocolate is not far from me, I have yet to take their factory tour, but we definitely get their chocolate from time to time. Congratulations on your graduation and wide-open future!
Thanks so much, Mary! That is beyond cool that you live so close to Theo. I’m so jealous!
I made these! Wow! A bit cakey & crumbly-not nearly as beautiful as yours. Wish mine were gooier. But am so excited to have found this site. Congrats on your graduation and thank you for sharing!
★★★★
Awesome! So sorry they were crumbly! Maybe a bit less baking time next time? Thanks so much, Lisa!!
So, I was a total skeptic. But, these babies are great! Shared with my family and my brother literally made a comment that he was happy I didn’t use one of my “weird” recipes, soooo total win. I made a few substitutions and I’m so pleased with the result:
-cashew flour for almond flour (just what I had)
-used 1/3 cup honey in place of 1/2 cup maple (didn’t have maple)
-used 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (and sadly no raspberries)
-used a 1/2 tsp instant coffee granules in place of brewed coffee
-used no salt added black beans, so upped the salt to 1/2 tsp
I also under-baked by a full 10 minutes and they came out gooey yet cakey at the same time. Really perfect.
Thanks SO much for your sweet comment, Caroline! I’m so excited that all the substitutions worked 🙂
These brownies look wonderful! Can you sub flax eggs for the eggs in this recipe? I can’t wait to make them! 🙂
I haven’t tried it…they make not stick together as well but feel free to try!