Imagine a dessert that combines the decadent richness of brownies with the festive joy of a birthday cake – all while being secretly healthy! These Healthy Birthday Cake Brownies are not just a treat; they're a culinary magic trick that transforms humble black beans into a mouthwatering dessert that will make both kids and health-conscious adults cheer. Packed with protein, low in sugar, and bursting with colorful sprinkles, these brownies prove that healthy eating can be absolutely delicious and fun!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 16 brownies
Ingredients
- 1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1/4 cup almond butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8 inch square baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring the paper hangs slightly over the edges for easy removal.
- Place the rinsed and drained black beans in a food processor. Pulse until the beans are completely smooth and no whole beans remain, scraping down the sides as needed.
- Add cocoa powder, honey (or maple syrup), almond butter, vanilla extract, baking powder, and salt to the food processor. Blend until all ingredients are fully combined and create a smooth, thick batter.
- Carefully transfer the batter to the prepared baking pan. Use a spatula to spread the mixture evenly, ensuring it reaches all corners of the pan.
- Sprinkle the colorful birthday cake sprinkles evenly across the top of the batter, gently pressing them slightly into the surface.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 22-25 minutes. The brownies are done when the edges start to pull away from the sides and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.
- Remove from the oven and let cool completely in the pan for at least 30 minutes. The brownies will continue to set as they cool.
- Once cooled, use the parchment paper to lift the brownies out of the pan. Cut into 16 equal squares.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or refrigerate for extended freshness.
Tips
- Ensure your black beans are thoroughly rinsed and drained to prevent any bean-like taste from interfering with the chocolate flavor.
- Use a food processor for the smoothest possible batter – any lumps can affect the texture of your brownies.
- Don't overmix the batter after adding all ingredients; just blend until everything is well combined.
- For extra moisture, you can substitute the almond butter with Greek yogurt or mashed banana.
- Choose high-quality cocoa powder for the richest chocolate flavor.
- Press sprinkles gently into the batter to ensure they stick during baking.
- Let the brownies cool completely before cutting to help them set properly and achieve the perfect fudgy texture.
- For a fun variation, try different types of sprinkles or add a light drizzle of melted dark chocolate on top after cooling.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 120kcal
Carbohydrates: 15g
Protein: 4g
Fat: 6g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg
