I promise, you cannot taste the black beans in these cheesecake-topped brownies. They’re awesome!
⅑th of pan: 136 calories, 5g total fat (3g sat fat), 303mg sodium, 24g carbs, 4.5g fiber, 4.5g sugars, 7g protein
You’ll Need: 8-inch by 8-inch baking pan, nonstick spray, food processor, large bowl, electric mixer
Prep: 20 minutes • Cook: 30 minutes • Cool: 1 hour
BROWNIES
One 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
⅓ cup unsweetened applesauce
¼ cup canned pure pumpkin
¼ cup egg whites (about 2 large eggs’ worth)
¼ cup whole-wheat flour
¼ cup Truvia spoonable no-calorie sweetener (or another natural brand about twice as sweet as sugar)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¾ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon mini (or chopped) semi-sweet chocolate chips
TOPPING
½ cup light/reduced-fat cream cheese, room temperature
½ cup light/low-fat ricotta cheese
1 tablespoon Truvia spoonable no-calorie sweetener (or another natural brand about twice as sweet as sugar)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon mini (or chopped) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8-inch by 8-inch baking pan with nonstick spray.
2. Place all brownie ingredients except chocolate chips in a food processor. Puree until completely smooth and uniform.
3. Fold in chocolate chips.
4. Spread batter into the baking pan, and smooth out the top.
5. In a large bowl, stir cream cheese until smooth. Add all remaining topping ingredients except chocolate chips. With an electric mixer set to medium speed, beat until smooth, 1 to 2 minutes.
6. Spoon topping over the brownie batter in dollops. Swirl topping into the batter with a knife. Top with chocolate chips, and lightly press to adhere.
7. Bake until a toothpick (or knife) inserted into the center comes out mostly clean, 25 to 30 minutes.
8. Let cool completely, about 1 hour.
MAKES 9 SERVINGS
Chew on This …
It’s rumored that cheesecake was served to athletes for energy at early Olympic games. Not sure about you, but I wouldn’t be in any shape to run a race after eating a big hunk of cheesecake!