Think beans are just for dinner? Guess again!

Beans work surprisingly well in some dessert recipes since they keep the dish dense and moist without too much of a beany flavor. Some cooks have turned to beans when baking gluten-free or dairy-free desserts while others just want to surprise their friends and family with a dessert that’s definitely outside the box. Beans replace butter and vegetable oils so your dish ends up being healthier than desserts made with a boxed mix and they still satisfy the craving for something sweet. This group of dessert recipes has something for everyone, and only you’ll know they’re made with beans!

White Bean Vanilla Cake

Perfect for a sweet treat without all the refined sugar, this recipe uses honey as its sweetener. The cake is made with fully cooked white beans and omits flour completely. You’ll get a thick and moist cake you can top with your favorite frosting or keep it healthy by serving it with fresh fruit. Bake it in a classic 9 x 13 pan or use it for cupcakes for a birthday party. However you serve it, this cake is a hit.

Strawberry White Bean Blondies

There’s a certain satisfaction from digging into a warm pan of dessert bars.  Dessert bars usually rely on large amounts of fatty butter to get their signature gooey richness. These rich and dense white bean blondies are made without butter, making them a healthier dessert bar than your usual dish of brownies. White beans are mixed with mildly nutty tahini paste, a Middle Eastern ingredient that adds creaminess and body to recipes. While this recipe calls for strawberry preserves, the base recipe blondies is flexible and you can use any other fruit preserves.

Oatmeal and Bean Raisin Cookies

Chewy and comforting, oatmeal raisin cookies are a traditional cookie with a modern twist: white beans. They’ll maintain their texture from ground rolled oats and raisins provide a chewy sweetness. The beans add a savory note to the cookies which makes them a great alternative to super-sweet desserts.

Now that you know you can make great tasting bean dessert recipes, you can take one to your next get together. It’s a fun way to surprise your family and friends while keeping your dessert healthy.

Great Northern Beans are an important part of a healthy diet