Friday, July 2, 2010

Debunked

So a very popular blogger recently posted about her "new favorite brownies in the world." Seriously the "very best brownies ever" and even her husband raved that they're the "best brownies of all time."

Since she usually has excellent taste, I believed her and decided to try it.

But I am skeptical.


So. The ingredients. There are two.

First. BLACK BEANS. Yes, you read right.

Rinse and drain them, then add a cup of water and puree.

(Don't put in the bananas.)


The second ingredient: brownie mix.

(I actually had to go out and buy a brownie mix to make these. I had mucho faith in this blog.)

Stir. Bake.

Review:

So they smelled heavenly and the batter was awesome. Very tasty. I didn't detect a drop of the (truly vomit-producing) bean slop. They looked good too - nice and fudgy.


But the taste?

LIKE EXTREMELY CHEWY DIET BROWNIES.


If you're going to have a brownie, folks, HAVE A BROWNIE.

I like Betty Crocker's recipe. And I never reduce the butter.

Melt and cool five minutes:
2/3 cup butter
5 oz unsweetened baking chocolate

Separately, beat for five minutes:
1 3/4 cup sugar
2 tsp vanilla
3 eggs

Beat in the chocolate mixture, then add 1 cup of flour just until blended. Add 1 cup of walnuts if desired.

Bake at 350 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes.

No regrets. Only happy tastebuds.

14 comments:

LisAway said...

I'll try your recipe. I'm pretty sure nobody in the world has made as many brownie recipes as I have. Brownies are my favorite food and I make them probably once a week (which, I realize, is disgusting considering I also bake cookies and cakes and other bars and pies, not to mention muffins and coffee cakes and scones for breakfasts. No wonder I'm not losing these last 10 pounds. . . )

I'll let you know what I think of yours when I make 'em. (I'm all about commenting after I try recipes. I feel it's a must) Which reminds me I still need to make that, what was it, Asian dinner you posted about probably well over a year ago. . .

Jenny P. said...

I am SO with you. Sneaky Chef has a brownie recipe made from scratch that is full of... spinach. Yeah. Fresh, cooked, chopped spinach. The idea is that we have to hide healthy food in stuff our kids will eat so they get good stuff too.

Um, at my house, I just give my kids vegetables, and then if they eat them all, they can have a brownie! Made with chocolate!

I've heard of pinto bean fudge before, but never heard of black bean brownies.

Jenny P. said...

Oh, and my sister has a brownie recipe that is the most divine thing I have ever, ever tasted. No hidden anything, just pure deliciousness. Hopefully she'll read my comment and be compelled to share...

Hilary said...

I've had the black bean brownies, and I think they're just 'okay' . . . I find you have to cover them in ice cream and drown that in hot fudge to make them truly palatable. Seems counter to making brownies from black beans if I just add several hundred calories of junk to make it taste good :-)

Nikki said...

I've never heard of black bean brownies. And thanks to your review, I won't be trying them. I have a tried and true brownie recipe that we don't deviate from. And it's especially good when we make it into cream cheese brownies. Ahh, I better not drool on the keyboard.

I might just try your recipe though. It seems like the right ingredients for good sensible brownies. ;)

Joni said...

Is it any indication of how mommy-fied my brain is that all I could think about while reading your post was, "Woah, she's got four little boys and WHITE COUCHES!?"

That's WAY braver than putting legumes in brownies.

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

Brownies are something I have not made in YEARS. Curse you for reminding me about the fudgy goodness. Now excuse me, I have a recipe to write down.

Mommadj5 said...

Yuck!!!! Black Beans? If you want a tried and true way to reduce the calories in brownies - substitute applesauce for the oil (not the chunky kind). I have only done this with box mixes so I don't know how it would work with a "from scratch" receipe - but it really does work - no one can ever tell. Follow the receipe on the box - just use the applesauce (same amount)instead of oil. Trust me on this one!!!

The Jensen Family said...

Don't mess with the Brownies! My idea of low calorie brownies is don't purchase any brownie mixes until you have given up on your diet. Works every time. hee, hee!

melissabastow said...

Sometimes I put stuff like marshmallow creme or sweetened condensed milk in my brownies just 'cause I'm all about eating something super tasty if I'm going to be eating dessert anyway. Boooo on extremely chewy diet brownies.

Joni said...

I'm going to have to debunk the applesauce idea.

Tried it. NOT GOOD. Everyone could tell. Yet I've heard many people swear by this method, so I am left to think that either A - the result really is conditionally upon the brand of brownie mix you use or B - People who think these brownies are good have never had a good brownie.

I did try half oil, half applesauce once. They turned out much better.

But if you're using the oil anyway...

Marcia said...

ditto to the white couches coment ! How ... how????

*~Petra~* said...

LOL! I love this post. I would rather have half of a real brownie than a whole pan of "diet brownies" any day! :)

LisAway said...

Made those Betty Crocker brownies for dessert tonight. YUM! We ate them with some good quality vanilla ice cream and they were great. Thanks!