healthy, vegan (gf!) brownies

I always have a stash of these in my fridge. My kiddos beg for them after all meals and have no idea they are actually good for them! My Hershey’s chocolate loving mom was in town this week and made a face at the thought of a brownie that was healthy and without sugar/flour/eggs etc while I was making them; however, I kept catching her in the fridge sneaking them once they were finished  😉 She later admitted they were delicious and needed the recipe!

Healthy, vegan, gf BROWNIES!

Ingredients:

Brownies:

• 425g (approx 2.5cups) Medjool dates, pitted (if dry, soak them in warm water for 10minutes, then drain) **Must be Medjool dates!
• 1 cup walnuts
• 1 cup almonds
• 3/4 cup cacao powder unsweetened cocoa powder

Frosting:

• 1/2 cup coconut oil- melted
• 1/4 cup cacao or unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 cup roughly chopped walnuts

Directions

1. For the Brownies: Place the 1 cup of almonds and 1 cup of walnuts in a food processor and process until finely ground.
2. Add the cacao powder and pulse to combine. Transfer this mixture to another bowl and set aside.
3. Put the dates in the food processor and process until only small bits remain. Remove and set aside.
4. Add the almond/walnut/cacao mixture back into the food processor- now, while processing, drop small handfuls of the dates into the food processor. This part is key- only process until a dough consistency is achieved. You DO NOT want it too sticky. You only want to add enough of the dates so that the mixture will hold together when squeezed in your hand or fingers. A brownie like pebble consistency. You probably will not use all of the dates. If you get it too moist, it will become more of a fudge like texture/taste than a brownie..
5. Add the brownie mixture to a small parchment lined 8×8 dish. Press down with your hands until it is flat and firm. Then, lift the parchment paper to remove brownies from the dish and use your hands to slightly squeeze in the sides to create a smaller square- this will make the brownies a little thicker and more dense.
6. Place back into the dish and put in the fridge to chill while you make the frosting.
7. For the Frosting: Melt the coconut oil and mix with remaining ingredients EXCEPT for the walnut pieces. Once smooth, let it cool slightly so it thickens up. Once slightly thickened, spoon and smooth over the brownies. Sprinkle with the walnut pieces. Then return to fridge to set.
8. Once set, remove from dish and cut! Store in an air tight container in the fridge for the small amount of time they last before everyone eats them!

enjoy!

xox

aj