Raw Brownies

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.