4-Ingredient Raw Walnut Chocolate Fudgy Vegan Brownies – Healthy, Oil-Free, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Plant-Based Dessert Recipe
Easy| Servings: 16| Ready In: 20 minutes + 1 hour to set | Yield: 1 (8×8 pan), 16 brownies
These raw, vegan brownies come together with just four simple ingredients: dates, walnuts, cocoa, and vanilla. This simple, gluten-free, plant-based recipe makes it easy to stay healthy, even while enjoying dessert. You’ll love the rich, chocolate flavor in these decadent treats…and won’t miss the dairy, oil, or syrup.
12 ounces walnut pieces (about 3 cups or 293 grams)
2/3 cup cocoa powder (66 grams)
2-4 tablespoons warm water, as needed
To soften the dates: Cover the dates with warm water and let sit for about 5-10 minutes to soften. If your dates are already squishy and “fresh”, you might not need to do this step.
To make the brownies: Place the walnuts and cocoa in a food processor. Puree until you get a crumbly, coarse texture.
Remove the dates from the soaking liquid and squeeze out any excess liquid. Hold on to the soaking liquid! Add the dates to the food processor, along with the vanilla and salt. Puree. Blend until the mixture comes together in a big, sticky ball. If it’s not holding together, it’s too dry. Add some of the date soaking liquid (or water), a tablespoon at a time, until the mixture comes together.
Press your mixture into a square pan lined with plastic wrap to make brownies. If you want to enjoy these as “energy balls” or as chocolate chunks over Banana “Nice” cream, you can roll them into small bites
Chef’s Tool Tip: A bench scrape (aka pastry scrape) makes it easy to portion and cut these bars once they’ve set. This small gadget is essential for easy, quick cooking
Line a 8×8 inch square pan with plastic wrap. Remove the dough ball from the food processor. and place in the square pan. Use your fingers to press the dough into a single, even layer in the pan. Cover the top of the brownies with plastic. Place another 8×8 inch square pan on top and weight it down with a few heavy cans.
Place in the freezer for 10 minutes to “set”…or refrigerate overnight.
Remove the brownies from the pan, cut into 16 squares, and enjoy!
Chef’s Tool Tip: A bench scrape (aka pastry scrape) makes it easy to portion and cut these bars once they’ve set. This small gadget is essential for easy, quick cooking
Yield: 1 9×9 tray, 16 brownies
4-Ingredient Raw Walnut Chocolate Fudgy Vegan Brownies – Healthy, Oil-Free, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Plant-Based Dessert Recipe
Keep it Raw Tip: For a truly Raw recipe, be sure to use cocoa powdered labeled “raw”. Most cocoa powder is roasted for a darker color and deeper flavor. You can find raw cocoa online and in specialty grocery stores.
Brownie Bites! This raw brownie mix can be broken into small chocolaty chunks and mixed into Banana “Nice” Scream or over vegan sundaes for the ultimate dessert. You can also use it as a crust for pies or fruit tarts.
Healthy Dessert: For a healthy, delicious topping, spread some fruit and nuts over these brownies instead of frosting. You can use sliced bananas with chopped peanuts. Or sliced strawberries with chopped pistachios.
You can make this raw brownie recipe with just a few simple ingredients: walnuts, dates, cocoa, and vanilla
Chef’s Sweet Tip: Soaked dates replace the typical refined sugar or syrup found in most brownie recipes. Dates are loaded with healthy fiber, making them a common go-to for healthy, plant-based sweetness
Press the mix into a plastic-lined square pan. This makes for easy removal and storage later
Serving size: 1/16 of a recipe (1 brownie).
Calories 211.15
Calories From Fat (57%) 120.82
% Daily Value
Total Carbohydrates 21.74g 7%
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