Dessert Recipes: Black Bean Espresso Brownies

Here's one of the best quick & easy dessert recipes out of the online cookbook of cakes, pies, cupcakes, tarts, cheesecakes, brownies, cookies. It's the exclamation point on dinner recipes.
Dessert doesn't have to be elaborate to compliment your main meal entree. Even a simple last bite like a fruit compote or a pudding recipe topped with whipped cream can make a wonderful last-statement sweet.

Consider your dinner recipe and what dessert recipe goes well to make a balanced taste. Avoid heavy or spicy dishes back to back. Balance rich dishes with simple ones. Don't serve too many spicy foods in one meal. Don't serve successive sweet dishes, such as chicken basted with currant jelly, mixed fruit salad and strawberry trifle dessert recipe.

As the final dish, you want to serve dessert properly. Set out the dessert fork or spoon when you first set the table. Choose the "dessert container," such as a small plate or glass stemware, once you decide what dessert you will prepare so you can visualize how your final presentation will appeal to the eye. For example, set crystal stemware on a crystal dish with a stem of mint leaves.

Black Bean Espresso Brownies
Serves: 16

15 3/2 ounces black beans
3 eggs, large
3 tablespoons canola oil
1/4 cup cocoa powder, unsweetened
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon espresso coffee*
1 1/2 ounces dark chocolate baking chips

Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly coat an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray. Using a blender or food processor, combine black beans, eggs, oil, cocoa, salt, vanilla, brown sugar, and espresso.

Blend until smooth and pour into prepared baking dish. Gently fold in dark chocolate baking chips.

Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the edges start to pull away from the pan and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool, then cut into 16 squares.

Note: Omit espresso for "regular" black bean brownies.