Theoretical Redheads

T3-

Question

Okay, so, in the beginning, there were brownies. Then came blondies and “blackies” (brownies made with black beans). Aren’t we forgetting someone here?

Background Research

Did a Google search, and found only two recipes for “redheads.” One included red food coloring, which I believe is cheating. The other had carrots and didn’t seem very red at all to me.

Hypothesis

A healthy, vegan "redhead" can be created through use of natural ingredients

Experiment

Using this amazing recipe from Chocolate Covered Katie (link) as a foundation, I mixed things up to make it a natural red. This included 1 cup frozen cherries and kidney beans instead of chickpeas.

Analyze Your Data

Uh, I think the picture speaks for itself.

Conclusion

There is in fact a reason for the lack of “redheads” in the baking world. Both kidney beans, which look very red on the can, and cherries have a distinct bluish element that push them into purple range when pureed. However, this does not affect their taste, and they still turned out as scrumptious cherry-chocolate bars.

Without further ado,

Theoretical Redheads

1 can Kidney Beans (~1 and ¼ cups)

1 cup Cherries (I would recommend upping this to 1 and 1/2 or even 2 cups for more distinct cherry taste)

1/3 cup Flaxseed

3/4 cup Stevia

1 tsp Almond Extract (1 and 1/2 or 2 tsp of almond extract would give a greater cherry taste as well)

1/2 tsp Baking Powder

1 tsp Cinnamon

1/2 Dark Chocolate Bar, chopped or 1/4 cup Chocolate Chips (Optional)

Microwave cherries in 1 minute segments until soft and juice extrudes. (Watch it carefully so it doesn't boil over...)

Note: Spoon was not in the cup while microwaving...

Puree kidney beans and cherries until smooth (or until your blender refuses to work anymore)

Mix puree with flaxseed, almond extract, baking powder, cinnamon, stevia, and chocolate.

Pour into an 8” by 8” pan (or pie tin if you are an inadequately prepared college student.

Bake at 350^oF for 30 minutes and let cool

Enjoy!

(Calorie count for the whole thing is about 1000 calories (healthy calories!). Without the chocolate, it reduces to 700 calories.)