Pantry love: Rocco's low cal brownie edition

Perhaps you’re like me and its day 6 of the New Year where-by you’ve resolved to be healthier and live below your means … but you’re already finding it difficult to resist temptation. In an effort to indulge my chocolate craving in a low-cal way while avoiding the grocery store, I mixed up a batch of Rocco’s Low-Cal Brownies.

I take no credit for the deliciousness of this recipe as celebrity chef Rocco Dispirito is the gorgeous man who created this dessert and shared with the world via Dr. Oz & ABC Good Morning America.

That being said, the point of this activity was to use ingredients already in my pantry so if you want a 100-cal brownie, follow Rocco’s suggestions. The ingredients in (brackets) are the ones that I had on hand… because seriously, what is Truvia?

INGREDIENTS:

• Nonstick cooking spray (I used Coconut Oil as I have a fear of using anything that comes from an aerosol on something that I will eat.)
• 1½ cups canned black beans, rinsed and drained
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon espresso powder (1/2 tablespoon of ground coffee beans)
• ¾ cup egg substitute (3 eggs)
• 2 tablespoons low-calorie sugar-free chocolate syrup
• 2 tablespoons reduced-fat sour cream
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
• 24 packets (84 g) Truvia or 8 tablespoons granulated Splenda (6 tablespoons of Granulated Fructose… but I think sugar would work if you’re not obsessing over the 100-cal thing)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Spray an 8×8-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray or in my case, smother with the coconut oil.
3. Combine the beans, cocoa powder, espresso powder (coffee grinds), and egg substitute (eggs). Rocco suggests a food processor, but I don’t have one so I just used my basic hand mixer and it works well. Opt for a deep bowl for mixing to keep those beans from flying all over your kitchen. (Been there, done that.)
4. Making those beans disappear is the key to this recipe’s success so keep blending/mixing/processing the mixture until it is pure chocolate smoothness – about 2 minutes.
5. Add the chocolate syrup (finally – you’re using it for its intended purpose), sour cream, melted butter, Truvia (sugar, splenda or granulated fructose) and mix until everything is combined – about 1 minute.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared dish, and smooth the top.
7. Book for 30 minutes, turning the dish halfway through the baking time. A toothpick inserted into the centre will come out with soft batter clinging to it.
8. Let the brownies cool completely on a wire rack. Cut into 12 squares and serve on the pretty snowflake plate that you received in last year’s family Secret Santa exchange.
9. Et viola: delicious low-cal (ish) chocolate brownies to enjoy without breaking any New Year’s Resolutions.

I bet you never thought black beans would be the best secret ingredient ever for brownies.

Dear Rocco, thank you for bringing low-cal sweetness into my New Year
photo source

My pantry-found ingredients

Mmm... don't be fooled. Cocoa + beans is a delicious combo

The secret is to mix, mix, and mix some mor

Sorry Miss Fergie, no licking the bowl for you!
It's just not right on so many levels. 

Bonus points if you also have a high-heel diamond cake server

*Rosie*