We’ve been having a total love affair with these raw brownies for the past couple weeks. A little nibble here, a little nibble there. I’m actually amazed that they’ve lasted this long, but just a small square is enough to satisfy my chocolate cravings. That’s how you know a chocolate dessert is the real deal. Plus, if the dancing in my belly is any indication, they are a big hit.
Lately, our evenings go something like this: We put on the hockey game (we’re avidly following both the Pens and Habs series which is basically another full time job) and I’m on my laptop doing some nursery planning as I scream at the TV. Eric is searching the freezer for these brownies. Nursery planning leads me to the uneasy discovery that I have zero home décor ability (not to mention decision making skills), but I still hold onto the hope that I can turn the room into the DIY nursery of my dreams. I curse those picture perfect rooms on Pinterest as I eat my brownie and watch hockey. Eric reassures me that the dresser we picked up at the second hand store is going to be transformed into something amazing for the baby’s room. I’ve always wanted to be a crafty goddess, so now I’m excited to start this project and see what I’m really made of.
And O.M.G., these brownies. This raw brownie dough is made up with protein-packed hemp hearts, walnuts, Medjool dates, raw cacao powder (cocoa powder works too!), vanilla, and Himalayan sea salt. Just throw it into the food processor and voila. To add some crunch, I pulsed in some cacao nibs and chopped walnuts. The crunch is essential! The result is a chocolaty brownie-like dough all without the using the oven, flour, sugar, or butter.
But I didn’t stop with the brownie dough. Of course not. Go big or go home. I poured on homemade chocolate for a second layer. The chocolate hardens into a thick shell, giving these brownies a wonderful snappy texture – best enjoyed straight from the freezer. The contrast of the firm chocolate shell and the chewy brownie is just heaven!
This recipe is quite versatile though so have fun playing around with it. I imagine you could make several different variations on these just by changing the nuts/seeds, extracts, topping, etc.
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Two-Layer Raw Chocolate Brownies
Yield
12 squares
Prep time
Cook time
0 minutes
Chill time
30 minutes
Total time
Who knew fudgy, decadent brownies could be so packed with protein, omega-3 fatty acids, fibre, and antioxidants? Don’t let the healthy, wholesome ingredients fool you though; these no-bake brownies will blow your mind with their intense chocolatey flavour and satisfyingly dense, chewy texture. Recipe inspired by Sweet Talk Blog.
Ingredients
For the brownies:
- 1 cup (100 g) walnut pieces
- 1/2 cup (70 g) hemp hearts
- 1 1/2 cups (275 g) lightly packed pitted Medjool dates*
- 1/2 cup (40 g) raw cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons (7.5 mL) pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 to 3 teaspoons (5 to 15 mL) water, or as needed
- 1/3 cup (33 g) chopped walnuts
- 2 tablespoons (18 g) raw cacao nibs or chopped walnuts
For the homemade chocolate:
- 1/2 cup (125 mL) virgin coconut oil**
- 1/2 cup (40 g) raw cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup (60 mL) pure maple syrup
- Pinch fine sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Sliced fresh strawberries, for garnish (optional)
Directions
- Line a 9x5-inch loaf pan (or an 8-inch square pan for thinner brownies) with a piece of parchment paper, leaving some overhang to remove the brownies in one piece.
- Place 1 cup of walnuts into a food processor and process to a fine crumb. Be careful not to overprocess, as too much break-down will turn the walnuts into butter.
- To the food processor, add the hemp seeds and pitted dates and process until finely chopped and sticky.
- Add the cacao powder (or cocoa powder, if using), vanilla, and salt and process until thoroughly combined. The dough should be slightly sticky; if it’s not, add water one teaspoon at a time and process the mixture again. I often add 1 to 3 teaspoons of water to achieve the right consistency.
- Add the 1/3 cup walnuts and 2 tablespoons raw cacao nibs (or additional chopped walnuts if using), and pulse the batter until just combined.
- Spoon the mixture into the prepared pan and spread it out evenly. If you have a pastry roller on hand, you can use it to roll the dough until smooth on top. Otherwise, simply press the dough down with your hands and ensure the edges are even. Place the pan in the freezer for about 10 minutes.
- Prepare the homemade chocolate: Melt the coconut oil over low heat in a medium pot. Remove the pot from the heat and whisk in the cacao powder (or cocoa powder, if using), syrup, salt, and vanilla until smooth and thoroughly combined.
- Remove the brownies from the freezer and pour on all of the chocolate topping. Carefully transfer the pan back to the freezer and let rest on a flat, even surface. Chill uncovered for at least 20 minutes, or until the topping is firm enough to slice. You might find the homemade chocolate will freeze a bit unevenly, but this is normal!
- To remove the brownies, run a knife under hot water for a minute or so and carefully slide it along the ends of your pan to loosen the slab. Using the excess parchment paper, lift the brownie slab out of the pan and place it onto a cutting board. Run the knife under hot water again and wipe off excess water. Pressing the knife down slowly, slice the brownies into squares. Top with strawberries, if using.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for several days, or tightly wrapped and frozen for 1 to 2 months. You can enjoy the brownies frozen, chilled from the fridge, or at room temp...your choice! I personally love them semi-frozen.
Tip:
* You’ll want to use soft, fresh Medjool dates for this recipe to ensure your batter is sticky enough. If your dates are firm, try soaking them in water for 30 to 60 minutes—drain well and use as directed.
** Instead of the homemade chocolate topping, you can melt 3/4 cup non-dairy chocolate chips in a small pot over the lowest heat, stirring until smooth.
OMG Brownies indeed…how do you stop at eating just one though??
vodkaandarose.blogpost.co.uk
These look dangerous to have around — not that it will stop me from making them! They look like a little piece of chocolate heaven!
This looks so yummy!!
Love a good vegan brownie!
xo Holly xo
hollydolly88.blogspot.com.au
Oh yuuuuuuuummm! I have given in to way too many pregnancy cravings lately, but that’s okay. This recipe is going on my to-make-asap list. :) Hope pregnancy is treating you well, Angela. Thanks for all the amazing recipes!
You are in the homestretch now! If a little indulgence gets you through it then so be it, hah. So excited for you. :)
I don’t know how I still haven’t tried raw brownies, but these are definitely going to be my first attempt. The chocolate on top!! I have faith that you will be the DIY goddess you want to be and the nursery will look great!
Ohhhhh yummy! Can’t wait to try these!
Nursery planning can be so stressful. I went to Pottery Barn Kids and they told me they offer in-home design! A consultant came over, measured the room, talked ideas, colors, layout, wants, needs and everything in between. By the end I had a Pinterest board and floor plan made for me. It was such a huge help and relief!
i cant wait to make these…so many goodness in this brownie
Finally – a recipe that doesn’t make me feel like a terrible person for eating raw brownie batter!
Couldn’t agree with you more!
Yum, these looks amazing! I made a similar raw brownie this winter, but added in tart cherries.
Whew! These look incredible… I’m having serious pregnancy cravings and I’m not even pregnant!! LoL! :)
Um, YUM! I cannot wait to make these. I have also dropped MANY hints that what I want for Mother’s Day is the OSG cookbook. Here’s hoping he takes the hints and that he can find it in our town!
You will have a lovely nursery. I didn’t put one together for baby #1. . . he was in our room for quite a few months anyway. For baby #2, I finally organized, and though it’s not all matching it finally looks like a “kids” room. Not sure what we’ll do with baby #3 on the way. But I’ve shifted from nursery, to focusing on play room at this point. One you decide color scheme and main features, you can sift through pinterest pretty quickly. If you don’t have a houzz account already, I found that much more useful – pinterest is too much like a rabbit hole to me.
My point is that you can get by without a formal nursery. . . but I’m sure whatever you come up with will be fantastic. Good luck – but please keep coming up with yummy treats to share with us during the decision process. We all appreciate it!!
Angela – these look so delicious! I love the chocolate shell you layer on top of the fudgy bottom of the brownie. Talk about a chocolate lover’s dream come true! :)
Wow – these look incredible!! They look really similar to a brownie I had a few weeks ago from my favourite cafe – Wild Food Cafe (in London). Anyway this brownie was amazing and I have been craving one like it ever since so thank you for this recipe!! I will have to get making them soon!!
Those brownies look so good, though I’m not a fan of hemp seeds (there’s a flavor I just can’t get past). What do you suggest to replace the hemp seeds? Also, I made a double batch of your other brownies last night (the brownies 2 ways recipe–I made the first recipe) for a work lunch…and I tasted them this AM and they are so so so so delicious and decadent.
Not sure if you’ve seen the blog Young House Love. They have 2 kids now and have done blog posts on both nurseries/bedrooms…they may be able to offer some helpful DIY ideas. Not to add to the obsession, but I’m sure whatever you do will be fantastic.
Angela’s word should be the last one on this, of course, but I suspect you could swap in chia seeds, sunflower seeds, an almond/flaxseed combination, or walnuts, depending on what you like and what you’ve got in the house.
I was wondering the same thing about what to sub for hemp. What did you end up trying?
Hello – I’m a little late in responding to this, but I just made the brownies and, so you know, you won’t taste the hemp seeds/hearts whatsoever!! I don’t care for their taste either, so you can trust me on this one! ;)
Thank you, Angela – it’s a really delicious recipe!!
I was wondering about something to replace the hemp seeds for as well, did you come up with something?
I just made these and swapped the walnuts for pecans and hemp seeds for chia seeds, but only 1/4 cup of chia. They are absolutely delicious! :)
my belly would dance if i ate these, too. they look amazing, angela.
i think i’d be feeling the same exact way as you planning the nursery. i am such an indecisive person.
This looks like it is amazing! Those 2 layers instead of one?! I’m in!
These brownies look amazing! I am making them for sure!
So happy to know that you are doing great with your pregnancy, good luck with the baby room!
These look amazing! I saw that my local Bulk Barn is now carrying bulk cacao nibs and I almost had the happiest panic attack of my life!! I think this is the first thing I’m going to make with them!