BBC FUDGE CAKE
Not too long ago, my Instagram feed was flooded with brownie recipes using black beans as an ingredient. Did somebody say black beans? Only to pork do black beans get so much, if not more, of my undivided attention and inspiration when I cook. And why not? Black beans are so versatile in taking on many flavors and add rich, creamy texture to recipes; it would only be a matter of time when even I would use these luscious legumes to makes a decadent frugal fakeout, my BBC Fudge Cake.
The result essentially is that of an old fashioned chocolate cake; fudgy with a tender crumb, deceptively rich and delicious. And surprisingly, the black beans lend a flavorful note of walnut. The glorious part of this recipe, however, is no electrical appliances needed; just a whisk and some vim and vigor. So, there’s absolutely no reason for you not to have your cake, and eat it too!!
PREP/COOK TIME: 45 Minutes
Makes 6 – 9 Servings
INGREDIENTS
1 ½ Cups – All Purpose Flour ($1.49 5 Lb Bag / $.17)
½ Cup plus 2 Tb – Unsweetened Cocoa Powder ($1.98 8 Oz Container / $.35)
1 Tsp – Baking Soda ($0.85 16 Oz [1 Lb] Box)
1 Tsp – Baking Powder ($2.29 8.1 Oz Container / $.05)
1 Tsp – Granulated Salt ($.89 26 Oz / $.01)
½ Cup – Granulated Sugar ($2.29 4 Lb Bag / $.24)
2 Cups – Water
1 Can – Black Beans, Drained and Rinsed ($0.59 15.25 Oz)
1 Cup – Dark Brown Sugar ($1.99 2 Lb Bag / $.84)
2 Oz – Broken Pieces of Hershey’s Special Dark Chocolate ($1.99 4.25 Oz Bar / About $.99)
1 Tsp – Medaglia D'Oro Espresso Instant Dark Roast Coffee ($4.69 2 Oz Jar / About $.69)
½ Cup plus 1 Tb – Vegetable Oil ($2.19 48 Oz Bottle / $.22)
2 Tsp – Pure Vanilla Extract ($3.99 2 Oz Bottle / $.33)
1 Tsp – Distilled White Vinegar ($.99 16 Oz Bottle / $.01)
TOTAL GROCERY COST: $22.29
FEAST COST: $4.08
THE NITTY GRITTY
Preheat oven to 350° F. In a medium pot bring water to a boil at medium high heat.
In a large mixing bowl, add flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and ½ Cup cocoa powder; whisk dry ingredients till blended.
In another mixing bowl, add black beans. Using the back of a fork, mash beans leaving no lumps; add in brown sugar, Hershey’s Special Dark Chocolate pieces and instant espresso. Carefully pour hot water over mixture; add oil, vanilla extract and vinegar, whisk to combine.
Add wet ingredients to dries; whisk together till a smooth chocolatey batter forms.
Transfer every drop of batter evenly into a 9” pan greased with 1 Tb of vegetable oil and dusted with 2 Tb of cocoa powder. Lightly tap pan on surface to remove any bubbles.
Place pan centered onto middle oven rack and bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for 15 – 30 minutes.
Serve with a light dusting of powdered sugar or with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream and enjoy.
SEPTEMBER 17, 2020
