Black Bean Cheesecake Brownies with Hazelnut Liqueur
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Serves: 12 - 16
 
Ingredients
  • 1½ cups black beans (equivalent to a 15 oz can, rinse VERY well)
  • 2 tbsp cocoa powder
  • ½ cup quick oats
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ⅓ cup pure maple syrup, agave, or honey
  • 3 tbsp. plus 1½ tsp hazelnut liqueur, divided
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ cup chocolate chips (type of chip will determine brownie flavor, see note)
  • 8 oz low fat or vegan cream cheese
  • 5 tbsp. powdered sugar
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spritz a 9″x9″ pan with nonstick spray or line a cupcake tin with liners spritzed lightly with nonstick spray.
  2. In a food processor or high powered blender (like a Ninja or Vitamix), combine beans, cocoa, oats, salt, sweeteners, oil, 3 tbsp. + 1 tsp hazelnut liqueur, vanilla extract, and baking powder. Blend until smooth, will take 5 – 10 minutes of continuous processing.
  3. Add chips and pulse to incorporate.
  4. Spread into an even layer in the pan or cupcake tin.
  5. In a bowl, microwave cream cheese for about 30 seconds, until easily stirred. Stir in powdered sugar and ½ tsp hazelnut liqueur.
  6. Top brownies with cream cheese mixture. Stir in lightly.
  7. Bake for approximately 25 minutes. Cool for at least ten minutes before serving. For best results, cool and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving (I like to cool mine over night before serving).
Notes
The brownie portion of this recipe was originally based off of Chocolate Covered Katie's black bean brownies and adapted to cheesecake brownies on this blog here.
The type of chocolate chips will greatly determine the flavor of your brownie — dark chocolate will make a darker chocolate brownie, milk chocolate will produce a sweeter brownie, etc. You can increase the sugar to your preferences.
For a vegan brownie, use vegan cream cheese and opt for a vegan sweetener and chocolate chips. For a gluten free brownie, ensure your oats are gluten free.
Nutrition Information
Serving size: 1/16 recipe Calories: 155 Fat: 9 Carbohydrates: 17 Fiber: 2 Protein: 3
Recipe by Hidden Fruits and Veggies at https://www.hiddenfruitsandveggies.com/2014/07/21/black-bean-cheesecake-brownies-hazelnut-liqueur/