Description
Delicious and healthful No Bake Date Brownies made with walnuts, cocoa, and medjool dates, layered with vegan chocolate ganache for a creamy finish. These brownies come together quickly using a food processor and require no oven baking, making them a perfect treat for a wholesome dessert or snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 200 g walnuts (or pecans)
- 80 g unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons espresso powder (optional)
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
Wet Ingredients
- 300 g medjool dates, pitted (about 15 dates)
- 200 g hazelnut butter
- ½ teaspoon vanilla powder
For Frosting and Garnish
- 1 batch vegan ganache (for frosting)
- Toasted hazelnuts (optional)
- Freeze-dried raspberries or strawberries (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Nut and Cocoa Mixture: Add the walnuts, cocoa powder, espresso powder, and sea salt to a food processor. Blitz for a couple of minutes until the mixture resembles a fine crumb consistency.
- Blend Wet Ingredients: To the nut mixture, add the pitted medjool dates, hazelnut butter, and vanilla powder. Blend again until the ingredients come together into a sticky dough consistency.
- Form Brownie Base: Press the raw brownie mixture firmly into a baking pan lined with parchment paper. Use the back of a spoon to smooth out the surface evenly. Place in the refrigerator to firm up for 1-2 hours.
- Prepare Vegan Ganache: While the brownies chill, make a batch of vegan chocolate ganache or vegan nutella to use as frosting.
- Frost the Brownies: Spread the cooled vegan ganache evenly over the set brownie base using an offset spatula. Optionally, sprinkle toasted hazelnuts and freeze-dried raspberries or strawberries on top.
- Set the Frosting: Return the frosted brownies to the fridge for an additional hour to allow the ganache to firm up properly.
- Serve and Store: Slice the brownies into individual servings. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week or at room temperature for a day if in a cool climate. For long-term storage, freeze the brownies between parchment paper sheets for up to three months.
Notes
- Choose either walnuts or pecans based on preference.
- Espresso powder enhances the chocolate flavor but is optional.
- Ensure dates are pitted to avoid texture issues.
- Vanilla powder can be substituted with vanilla extract if preferred.
- Vegan ganache can be made from plant-based chocolate and coconut cream or nut butter.
- Freeze-dried fruits add a tart contrast and crunchy texture but are optional.
- These brownies are best kept chilled for optimal texture and flavor.
