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If you’ve ever wanted a brownie hit without melting chocolate or lighting the oven, then these are for you! Great for an after-dinner treat… you will feel like you’re indulging, but you’re really not! Especially great for those folks with allergies, as these ‘brownies’ have no added sugar, eggs, dairy or gluten.

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The first time I ever tasted one of these ‘raw brownies’ I was visiting a friend. She’d offered me the tray to try one, and it was love at first bite. If it hadn’t been for certain social mores, and the need to be polite and share, I would have gobbled the whole tray in one sitting! They are that yummy! Or maybe it’s just me. I can’t get enough of fresh dates… which is why I don’t usually buy them. To my mind, they are just as good {if not better} than chocolate… and so much better for you.

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With the Christmas season well and truly underway, I thought it was high time to share a party treat with you here. I already made some cookies, but didn’t get the chance to photograph them before they were eaten! And what with not getting enough sleep {and the consequent funk}, overcast weather and way too many dirty dishes, my blog plans have had to be delayed. Even now, I hesitate to set the food processor going, as the little man is teething, and I dread him waking early from his nap.

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Hopefully you don’t have any such hurdles between you and these gorgeously sweet and healthy treats! Make up a batch to share with friends and family or to give as gifts at Christmas… that’s if they last that long! I don’t know about you, but I’m going to have to make up another batch, coz this lot ain’t for sharing!

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Raw Brownies
With thanks to Triumph Wellness

Makes about 20 balls

Ingredients
1 ½ cups (150g) walnuts
pinch sea salt
13-14 large Medjool dates, pitted
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp vanilla extract (you could also use mint extract or cherry extract, or orange…)

Instructions
Place walnuts and salt in a food processor.
Process until finely ground.
Add remaining ingredients and process until all mixed and uniformly crumbly.
With the machine running, add a few drops of water at a time, just until the mass starts to stick together in a big ball. (Better to add too little than too much!)
Roll mixture into balls or press into a square pan and cut into squares.
Balls can then be rolled in dried coconut, chopped nuts, or cocoa powder* if you wish.

*Unless you like your chocolate very bitter, I would advise against rolling these in cocoa powder. Dessicated coconut works very nicely.

6 thoughts on “Raw Brownies”

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