Pumpkin Swirl Black Bean Brownie Recipe (Easy Recipe + Video) (2024)

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This pumpkin swirl black bean brownie recipe is so simple and easy. They’re similar to my classic black bean brownie recipe – with no flour and they’re refined sugar-free. My kids love fudgy bean brownies almost as much as they love whitebean blondies. I just love that they’re all healthy!

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Ever since I first made black bean brownies, it’s my go-to dessert. White bean blondies come in a close second place, but really, my heart belongs to the original.

Now that it’s fall though, my go-to dessert recipe got a slight make-over.

Move over black bean brownies, hello PUMPKIN SWIRL black bean brownies!!

Just take a look at that gorgeousness – isn’t it beautiful?

Why Make Pumpkin Swirl Black Bean Brownies?

Well, PUMPKIN IS THE BEST! At least I think so. For everyone else, here’s why you should make these brownies ASAP:

  • Freezer-friendly. Once these are cooled, I cut them and store them in the freezer. Then I pull out just enough for dessert.
  • Kid-friendly. My kids actually ASK for beans. (Proud Mama moment, here.)
  • Easy. No special kitchen skills required.
  • Cheap. This recipe is mostly beans and beans are cheap, especially when you make them from scratch.
  • Not a cookie. Cookie-overload is a real thing y’all.
  • Not overly sweet. Perfect for when you want dessert, but not the sugar-coma.
  • Big-batch-able. I’m pretty sure that isn’t a word, but you can easily double this recipe if you have more pans.
  • Portable. Need something to bring to a party? I got you covered.

Ingredients

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Brownie Base

  • black beans
  • maple syrup
  • coconut oil
  • vanilla
  • cocoa powder
  • oats
  • salt
  • baking powder
  • chocolate chips

Pumpkin Swirl

  • cream cheese
  • pumpkin puree
  • egg
  • maple syrup
  • pumpkin pie spice

Notes on Ingredients

Really, guys, we’re talking about ingredients I’m 95% sure you already have on hand:

  • Oats. Instead of using traditional flour, we use a few oats. This helps hold the beans together giving it the perfect texture.
  • Black beans. You can use either canned or homemade from scratch – either will work (but homemade IS cheaper.)
  • Maple syrup. We’re not using white sugar, brown sugar, or hard to find coconut sugar. Simple pure maple syrup will do. (Not pancake syrup though, which is largely corn syrup and other artificial sweeteners.)
  • Eggs. Eggs are a must in this recipe in order to bind the ingredients together. I have not tried using any egg substitutes, but making a flaxseed egg should work!
  • Cocoa. If you’re making brownies from scratch, you need cocoa. Dutch-process cocoa, natural cocoa, and raw cacao will all work.
  • Coconut oil. This is my go-to fat for baking. It blends in well with this great recipe and it doesn’t taste like coconut in the end.
  • Chocolate chips. You know – essentials.

PS – Not sure what to do with the other 4 oz cream cheese? I suggest stove-top mac and cheese or no-bake cheesecake. If you’re in the mood for sweets, make a half batch of pumpkin cookies with naturally sweetened cream cheese frosting!

PPS – Don’t forget to stock up on pumpkin while you can! If you don’t know what to do with the rest of the pumpkin, here are all my favorite pumpkin recipes. OR you can ALWAYS freeze extra homemade pumpkin puree in 1/4 cup portions for later too!

Psst! Want another great idea? Try finishing this recipe with a pinch of finishing salt! I love Ava Jane’s Kitchen because it doesn’t have microplastics (gross, right?) and it’s SO GOOD! Plus, you can get a bag for just 1¢!! Just add a pinch when you pull the brownies from the oven and try not to drool as you wait for them to cool! (Get your penny bag of salt HERE).

Step By Step Instructions

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Step 1. Preheat the oven to 350F.

Step 2. Grease a 9″ x 13″ glass baking dish with butter and set aside.

Step 3. In a blender, combine all the brownie base ingredients except the chocolate chips. Blend until the batter is smooth. Pour into the prepared pan. Sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over the top.

Step 4. Wash, rinse and dry the blender. Add all the pumpkin swirl ingredients and blend until the batter is smooth.

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Step 5. Using a large spoon, dollop the pumpkin swirl batter on top of the brownie base. Using a butter knife and starting on one side of the pan, run the knife through the batter and all the way down the pan. Move over about 1 inch and repeat the process, this time running the knife in the opposite direction to get the “back and forth” swirls. Repeat until the whole pan has swirls.

Step 6. Bake for 40 minutes, or until the edges of the brownie start to pull away from the edge of the pan.

The brownie will be gooey and fudgy. For a firmer brownie, store in the fridge.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

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Guys, nothing screams easy more than a recipe you make entirely with a blender.

  • (For the record, I’ve had my Blendtec coming up on FOUR years and I use it at least 5 times a week. Here are 45+ ways that I use it! It’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Put it on your Christmas wish-list!)
  • There’s no chopping, stirring or anything like that. You have two rounds of “dump and blend,” a quick swipe with a butter knife (to make the swirl), a good long bake and BOOM. Pumpkin swirl black bean brownies are on the table.

Here’s my “make-ahead” tip

I recommend whipping up this recipe as you’re cooking dinner.

You know those minutes you have when you’re stirring something, waiting for water to boil or something else is in the oven?

Those are the minutes I’m talking about.

  • Whip up the black bean brownie part first, and pour into the pan.
  • Then blend the pumpkin swirl batter and let it sit in the blender until you’re ready to bake.
  • Before you sit for dinner, swirl the batter and stick the pan in the oven.
  • Your delicious batch of pumpkin swirl black bean brownies can bake while you’re eating dinner, cool for about 30 minutes while you’re cleaning up and everyone still goes to bed on time.

FAQs

Do Pumpkin Swirl Black Bean Brownies Taste Good?

Um, yes! My husband ruined his dinner with them on more than one night. The kids asked for them in their lunches AND after school snack. I also ate them for breakfast.

Do black bean brownies taste like brownies?

Yes! This black beans brownie recipe tastes even better than regular brownies, in my onion. Plus they’re healthier with the protein from the beans. You’ll never taste the black beans, I promise!

What makes brownies more fudgy?

These brownies are slightly gooey and fudgy. It is the higher fat to flour ratio (we use blended oats) in a brownie recipe that makes them more fudgy. In the case of this recipe, we are talking about healthy coconut oil as the fat component.

Are Black Bean Brownies Vegan?

This black bean brownie recipe is not vegan or dairy-free but it is gluten-free.

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How to Serve these Pumpkin Swirl Black Bean Brownies

This pumpkin swirl black bean brownie recipe is great as a dessert for the holidays – or any time of the year. We love to have them as a snack, and I’ve even enjoyed them for breakfast! #noshame

Serve for dessert alongside:

  • Black Bean Brownies (without pumpkin)
  • Chocolate Hummus
  • Peanut Butter Chocolate Fudge
  • Chocolate Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies
  • White Bean Blondies

More Healthy Desserts with Pumpkin

  • Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • Pumpkin Pie Hummus
  • Healthy Homemade Pumpkin Pie
  • Pumpkin Cookies
  • 5 Ingredient Pumpkin Fudge

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Watch How to Make Pumpkin Swirl Black Bean Brownies

Pumpkin Swirl Black Bean Brownies

Pumpkin Swirl Black Bean Brownie Recipe (Easy Recipe + Video) (8)
Print Recipe
★★★★★4.5 from 11 reviews

Simple and easy pumpkin swirl black bean brownie recipe uses no flour and is refined sugar-free. My kids love these fudgy bean brownies, and I love that they’re healthy!

  • Author: Tiffany
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 40 mins
  • Total Time: 50 mins
  • Yield: 1216 brownies 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Bake
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Brownie Base

  • 3 cups cooked black beans (I use homemade, but you can use 2 cans, drained and rinsed three times)
  • 1 cup maple syrup*
  • 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
  • 4 tsp vanilla
  • 4 Tbsp cocoa powder
  • 1 cup oats
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 cup chocolate chips

Pumpkin Swirl

  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup pumpkin puree (canned or homemade)
  • 1 egg
  • 2 Tbsp maple syrup*
  • 1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice (store-bought or homemade)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350F.
  2. Grease a 9″ x 13″ glass baking dish with butter and set aside.
  3. In a blender, combine all the brownie base ingredients except the chocolate chips. Blend until the batter is smooth. Pour into the prepared pan. Sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over the top.
  4. Wash, rinse and dry the blender. Add all the pumpkin swirl ingredients and blend until the batter is smooth.
  5. Using a large spoon, dollop the pumpkin swirl batter on top of the brownie base. Using a butter knife and starting on one side of the pan, run the knife through the batter and all the way down the pan. Move over about 1 inch and repeat the process, this time running the knife in the opposite direction to get the “back and forth” swirls. Repeat until the whole pan has swirls.
  6. Bake for 40 minutes, or until the edges of the brownie start to pull away from the edge of the pan.
  7. The brownie will be gooey and fudgy. For a firmer brownie, store in the fridge.

Notes

* Since my family has diligently reduced our sugar intake, it doesn’t take much sweetener for us to taste it. 1 cup of maple syrup is not a lot for an entire pan of brownies, so I encourage you to taste the batter and adjust to your liking.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1
  • Calories: 57.4

Keywords: Black bean brownie recipe

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Pumpkin Swirl Black Bean Brownie Recipe (Easy Recipe + Video) (2024)

FAQs

Should I add instant coffee to brownie mix? ›

The first and easiest upgrade you can give to your boxed brownie mix is to add a tablespoon of instant coffee to the batter. Adding coffee to your brownies boosts their flavor because its bitter quality balances out sweetness, making it less overpowering. It allows that delicious chocolate flavor to really shine.

Can I use instant coffee instead of cocoa powder in brownies? ›

While you can add a small amount of instant coffee or espresso powder to enhance the chocolate flavor of your brownies, it should not be used as a direct replacement for cocoa powder. Coffee has a distinct flavor that can make your brownies taste bitter and less like traditional chocolate brownies.

What does coffee in brownies do? ›

We already know that adding espresso and coffee flavor to chocolate desserts supercharges chocolate flavor, and the same principle applies here. Using coffee in your brownie mix will result in better, more chocolaty brownies.

What do black beans replace in baking? ›

When substituting for butter or oil, try a 1:1 ratio. In this recipe for Black Bean Brownies, pureed black beans take the place of all the fat and some of the flour. Before you think twice about using beans, try the recipe. You won't be able to taste the difference.

Why eat black bean brownies? ›

Black Bean Brownies: Perfect for a Gluten-Free Diet

Specifically black beans. This adds not only protein but is also a great source of fiber, folate, copper, manganese, and thiamine.

What is the white goo in black beans? ›

Turns out bean goo is less terrifying than you might think: In most cases, it's just water and salt, along with starches naturally produced by the beans. Goya Foods, for example, cans its beans with salt and water to create a brine, which keeps them tasting fresh (in other words, the salt is a preservative).

How to add coffee to boxed brownies? ›

All it requires is that, when making brownies from a mix, you replace the water with brewed coffee or espresso. It doesn't get easier than that—and, rather than sending it down the drain, the trick is a great way to repurpose any leftovers from your morning cup o' Joe.

What does instant coffee do in baking? ›

Using instant coffee to flavour your cakes means you don't need to add extra liquid to your ingredients, and it gives a more intense result. As you're using a powder/granules and not liquid it's easier to add more if you'd like to up the coffee taste even further.

Can I add instant coffee to box cake mix? ›

You can add either a teaspoon or more of instant coffee, depending on how strong you want the coffee flavor to be, or you can brew some very strong coffee and substitute it for some or all of the liquid the mix calls for.

How much coffee do I add to brownie mix? ›

The Pioneer Woman suggests replacing water with milk and adding one to two teaspoons of espresso powder or instant coffee to brownie mixes. America's Test Kitchen recommends swapping water for ¼ to ¾ cup of coffee to enhance your chocolate brownies.

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