Baking black bean cupcakes at home, tensions can be high. Pots and pans are all over the place and the most important people in a kitchen, your Pot washer, and prep cook are missing. What you don’t want to do is bark orders at your wife, so self-control and managing the situation is of utmost importance.
I’ve been baking black bean chocolate cupcakes for the last 10 years and every time people eat one I get that “Ahhhh” no way look. The pinnacle of fortified food, stealth health on steroids, the way to add beans and fiber to your diet, a Dietitians dream come true. Baking a healthier version of a cupcake that is edible is exciting. One made with black beans is really exciting, and adding a whipped white chocolate Ganache sprinkled with a little sea salt… sounds like heaven.
Never judge a book on its cover:
I really don’t remember how I got the recipe and my first reaction most likely was the same as yours; a black bean chocolate cupcake must be gross. However, as the saying goes you should never judge a book by its cover. They are awesome! Light, moist, and a definite crowd-pleaser. The only recommendation I have for you is that you find the best Cocoa powder possible, I use Belgian Callebaut 100% cocoa powder, what a difference in quality and flavor.
Black Beans:
Black beans are naturally low in sodium and contain potassium, calcium, and magnesium; all of which have been found to decrease blood pressure naturally. According to the American Heart Association, eating beans as part of a heart-healthy diet and lifestyle may help improve your cholesterol, a leading cause of heart disease.
Ganache:
Ganache is of French origins, like so many other great foods from that part of the world. A whipped Ganache is a simple recipe that consists of one part cream and one part chocolate. In order to make whipped white chocolate, the temperature is crucial. Too warm, it feels like you whip the ganache forever; too cold, you will end up with a grainy ganache. It is essential that the ganache is at room temperature and is whipped at room temperature (around 70F). Whip the ganache until soft peaks form, you should not need to whip for more than 2 – 3 minutes, more than that and your ganache will be grainy. Once whipped to a soft peak, allow to cool in the refrigerator. It should firm up nicely to a smooth texture.
Here are the black bean cupcakes with chocolate buttercream icing, another way to enjoy them.
Black Bean Chocolate Cupcakes, White Chocolate Ganache, Sea Salt
Recommended Equipment
Ingredients
White chocolate ganache
- 12 oz white chocolate
- 12 oz heavy whipping cream
Black bean chocolate cupcake batter
- 1 1/4 lb black beans
- 7 medium egg
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract pure
- 4 oz butter, unsalted
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 2 oz cocoa powder
- 1 tbsp sea salt
Instructions
Make the white chocolate ganache
- In saucepan heat cream until it bubbles, remove from heat source. Add chopped white chocolate, let sit for about 5 minutes to melt into cream, then stir with a rubber spatula until smooth. With an electric mixer, whip the Ganache at room temperature until soft peaks form, you should not need to whip more than 2 or 3 minutes, more than that and your ganache will be grainy. Once whipped to a soft peak, allow to cool in the refrigerator. It should firm up nicely to a smooth texture.12 oz heavy whipping cream, 12 oz white chocolate
Blend black beans
- Using a Vitamix blender, blend black beans, eggs, and vanilla until completely liquefied with no lumps.1 1/4 lb black beans, 7 medium egg, 1 tbsp vanilla extract
Cream butter and sugar
- In a mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add baking soda, baking powder and cocoa powder then set aside. Combine the black bean mixture with the butter mixture and beat until smooth with no lumps.4 oz butter, unsalted, 1 cup sugar, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp baking soda, 2 oz cocoa powder
Bake cupcakes
- Scoop batter into prepared muffin tins. Bake the cupcakes at 350 F in a preheated oven for 14 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Remove cupcakes from the oven and cool in Muffin Pan for 10 minutes.
Garnish Cupcakes
- Garnish each cupcake generously with whipped white chocolate ganache and sprinkle with sea salt just prior to serving. It's best to serve the cupcakes immediately after frosting.1 tbsp sea salt
Nutrition
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate