>U Mom Knows Best: Gluten Free Black Bean Brownies Made With Organically Grown Vanilla Bean Powder

Monday, June 29, 2015

Gluten Free Black Bean Brownies Made With Organically Grown Vanilla Bean Powder



     I am always looking for ways to make things that my kids enjoy healthy. My boys enjoy brownies and having brownies once in a while is ok, but I wanted to find a way to make them healthy so we could enjoy them more often. Also since my youngest boys are picky eaters, I am always looking for ways to sneak extra nutrition into their bodies. My youngest does not eat meat and does not like beans, so I am always looking for ways to get protein into his body. These black bean brownies and loaded with protein and are also low in sugar too. I used almond meal in my recipe instead of flour which makes these brownies gluten-free. I also used a different kind of vanilla in the recipe which gives them great creamy vanilla taste.



  The vanilla I used was Organically Grown Vanilla Bean Powder. This vanilla is in a powder form and comes from vanilla beans that are dried and made into a powder form. Since this is pure vanilla beans it gives a great rich creamy vanilla flavor to baked goods like cookies, cakes, brownies, and more. You can also use this vanilla powder when you make coffee.  Just add 1/2- 1 teaspoon to the ground coffee for great tasting vanilla coffee. Another benefit to vanilla powder is it has no alcohol in it making it great to use in recipes like ice cream. You are getting pure vanilla taste and no taste of the alcohol that vanilla extract has. You can also use this vanilla powder in homemade items like lotions as vanilla has anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe inflamed ares of the skin. Vanilla also has a great scent too.




     Did you know that vanilla bean is high in many minerals such like potassium, iron, manganese and copper. Potassium is important for cell and body fluids that help control blood pressure and heart rate. Iron is important for red blood cell production. Manganese and copper are co-factors for the antioxidant enzyme. I did not know that either and according to USDA, vanilla bean is in the top 10 antioxidant foods. Vanilla also has antibacterial properties that help reduce skin infections and encourage wound healing.

    The vanilla powder that I used was grown on the Java Islands of Indonesia. The manufacture Sunny Day Organics, a family owned business, uses no chemical fertilizers and grinds the vanilla beans right before packaging to seal the freshness inside. This vanilla powder is gluten-free and vegan. I just love the intense vanilla flavor that this Organically Grown Vanilla Bean Powder gave to my brownies.


   You can find this wonderful tasting vanilla powder on Amazon and the company also offers a 100% money back guarantee so if you are not happy you can get your money back, no questions asked.



                                        Black Bean Brownies

                            1½ cup almond meal
                                          1½ teaspoon baking soda
                                          1½ teaspoon baking powder
                                           ½ teaspoon salt
                                           1 can black beans (15oz), drained
                                           1 cup dark chocolate chips
                                           ⅓ cup melted coconut oil
                                            ½ cup honey
                                           2 teaspoons Organically Grown Vanilla Bean Powder
                                           2 eggs


                       Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Lightly grease a brownie pan with coconut oil. Set aside.

In a medium bowl combine the almond meal, baking soda, baking powder and salt.

Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave. I melt my chocolate by placing the chocolate in a dish and cooking for 2 minutes on high. Then stir the chocolate. Cook the chocolate for 30 more seconds and stir again until the chocolate is smooth.

In a high speed blender combine the drained beans, melted chocolate, coconut oil, honey, and vanilla powder. Blend on low speed until smooth.

Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients and mix. Add the eggs and mix until fully incorporated.
Pour into prepared pan.

Bake for 25-30 minutes. Allow to cool fully before cutting into squares.


"These opinions are my own and I was sent the above mentioned product to write this review."
                          

13 comments:

Yona Williams said...

The Black Bean Brownies look delicious - I've only had them once before, and I liked the taste. I bet the vanilla bean powder really tastes good in homemade ice cream – I'm curious now!

Hollie Black-Ramsey said...

Whoddathunk black beans could be used to make a pastry! Cool!

blessedchick said...

These sound interesting. I love brownies. they are my weakness so if theres a healthier way of making them, Im all in!

Jamie said...

We don't have any gluten issues, but I bet these are healthier anyway. Sound interesting to try!

Nerdy Procrastinator said...

Wow, you made delicious brownies with black beans?! What are you, a migician?? :P

Marcie W. said...

Brownies that are actually good for me?! Yes please! I could think of so many yummy ways to use that vanilla bean powder too.

Katherine Bartlett said...

I'm not sure if I could eat bean brownies. I need chocolate!

BCallahan said...

Those look really yummy....especially at 2 am lol!

theconservativemommy said...

Yum! A friend of mine made these. I thought they sounded gross but they were delicious! !

Razzledazzlestyles said...

Love this idea, and love your pictures :) xo

Buzz4Mommies said...

I have never heard of vanilla bean powder before, sounds like something I would enjoy. The brownies look amazing!

Jay | Life of Creed said...

These brownies looks so yummy!!!! Vanilla bean powder seems like something I need to keep stock in my pantry. I would have never thought to use black beans for baking a sweet treat. Thanks for sharing!

Laura said...

Oh wow, that's a first! Never heard of anyone using black beans in a brownie recipe:D Very creative. And they look so amazingly delicious! Thank you so much for sharing this great recipe and thank you for the compliment! Wish you all the great brownies in the world! Laura from Sunny Day Organics.

data-matched-content-rows-num="2" data-matched-content-columns-num="2"
Mom knows best