Mocha No-Bake Brownies

There are some days when you just want a no-fuss easy dessert. None of that sifting, stirring, baking etc. Enter the world of raw no-bake brownies! Yes you heard right, it’s possible to make yummy brownies without baking – and also without any flour or refined sugar. Best of all, it literally takes 5 minutes (no, this is not a click and bait) to make this dessert. The hardest part is waiting the hour or so to cut into them and eat, which I can never seem to do 🙂

Technically, these brownies are not “raw” because they contain instant coffee powder which is not allowed in a raw diet. But exclude the caffeine boost and they fit the very definition of a raw food. The coffee add-in is perfect for those days when I need to focus in back-to-back meetings and don’t have the time to fix myself a steaming hot cup of java!

The chocolate flavor in this recipe comes from cacao powder, not to be confused with cocoa powder. Cacao powder is made from grinding the dried and fermented cacao beans. It is a raw superfood rich in iron, flavonoids and potassium. Cocoa powder is made by applying high temperatures to cocoa beans which helps to reduce bitterness, but in the process stripping it of essential nutrients. Say what? Yes, mind blown! 

This recipe uses dates as the sweetener. Dates are an incredibly delicious and nutritious superfood containing vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber. In the US, the two most commonly available varieties of dates are Medjool and Deglet Noor. There are some differences between the two varieties. Medjool dates are slightly larger and lighter in color compared to Deglet Noor dates. Medjools contain a higher content of fructose (fruit sugars) and practically no sucrose (table sugar) which make them slightly sweeter compared to their cousin, while Deglet Noors contain glucose, fructose, and sucrose in almost equal parts. Both dates will work well in this recipe, but you may need to adjust the quantity of dates depending on which one you choose. Which is not hard to do in this recipe, because you add the dates in one at a time.

Mocha No-Bake Brownies

Recipe by theplantpaletteblogCourse: DessertDifficulty: Easy

Servings

16

servings

Prep time

5

minutes

A flourless, dairy-free, no-bake brownie with a hint of coffee

Ingredients

• 2 cups raw walnuts

• 1/2 cup raw unsalted almonds

• 2½ cups pitted dates (approx. 55 dates)

• 3/4 cup raw cacao powder (preferred) or cocoa powder

• 1½ teaspoons instant coffee powder

• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Directions

• Add almonds to a food processor and blitz until coarsely chopped.
• Now add 1½ cup of walnuts to the food processor and blitz until both nuts are finely ground.
• Add the cacao (or cocoa) powder, coffee powder and salt to the food processor and pulse until combined.
• Now add the dates, one at a time, through the tube of the food processor while it is running. Stop when you see a loose dough consistency appear in the mixture. When you press some of the mixture in your hand, it should stick together. If not, continue adding a few more dates until you get the sticky dough consistency.
• Add the mixture into a parchment lined cake or loaf pan and spread it evenly. Chop the remaining 1/2 cup of walnuts and spread evenly on top of the brownie mixture. Press down with your palm or a flat bowl until the mixture is firm.
• Place in the fridge for a couple hours or in the freezer for an hour before cutting. Store in an airtight container to keep fresh.

Notes

• Adapted from Minimalist Baker