Simple to make and requiring no baking, these raw walnut brownies are healthy and delicious. They're also vegan, gluten-free and refined sugar-free.
Sometimes a recipe can surprise you.
You may think you've tasted every possible combination of dates, nuts and cacao (believe me, I've done the legwork and yes, they all taste fairly similar), then one day a simple little recipe comes along and blows that assumption right out of the water.
As it was with this one.
I'm not sure whether it's the vanilla, the pinch of salt or the shredded coconut that make these raw walnut brownies taste unique, but unique they most definitely are, and completely delicious to boot.
Easy to make and fast to devour, these no bake brownies are healthy and delicious. You can feel absolutely guilt-free about eating them because each ingredient is nourishing your body with vitamins and minerals.
So enjoy the fact that you've taken just minutes to make a dessert completely from scratch, that's likely healthier than most products you can buy.
Budget Tips
Walnuts - If walnuts are expensive where you are right now (or if you can't eat them), a great coast-saving tip is to use half walnuts and half sunflower seeds in this recipe. You can get away with using ¾ cup walnuts and ¾ cup sunflower seeds instead of 1½ cups walnuts, and it can make a big difference to the cost.
Vanilla - Vanilla powder is made from ground raw vanilla beans and gives an amazing flavour because it's unprocessed and pure, and unlike vanilla essence isn't blended with alcohol.
That said, it's also incredibly expensive right now due to sourcing issues, so while it's a lovely ingredient to include, it isn't necessary. Feel free to use vanilla essence instead, or skip it completely.
Raw Walnut Brownies - FAQs
Raw baking essentially refers to raw desserts that have not been heated above 47°C during their 'cooking' process.
The reason for avoiding cooking or heating the ingredients is to retain nutrients, many of which can be reduced or lost when the food is cooked or baked.
You can, yes! They have a similar taste but pecans are slightly sweeter and have a more 'caramel' flavour. Their texture is also very similar, making pecans a great substitute for walnuts in brownies.
LOOKING FOR MORE NO-BAKE DESSERTS?
Why not try my Mint Choc Chip Ice Cream Sandwiches, Superfood No-Bake Cake, or my No Bake Snickers Bars?
I also HIGHLY recommend This Rawsome Vegan Life blog for more incredible raw desserts and treats!
Raw Walnut Brownies (vegan & gluten-free)
Ingredients
- 1½ cups walnuts
- 7-8 small dates
- ¼ cup cacao powder
- ¼ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1½ tablespoon coconut oil
- Pinch of salt
Optional
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla powder or essence
Instructions
- If you have a food processor, place all ingredients into it and blend until a sticky dough forms.
- If not, add the walnuts to a blender and process until they form a flour. Blend the dates the same way until they are broken into small pieces. Add the walnut flour, date pieces and all other ingredients to a mixing bowl and mix together with your hands until a dough forms.
- Scoop the mixture into square or rectangular plastic tupperware (about 10-15cm wide), press it down flat with your fingers and score into small squares or rectangles with a flat knife.
- Leave in the freezer for 1-2 hrs to set (if you can wait that long!), pry the square brownies out of the container using the flat knife, and eat.
- Store any leftovers in the freezer.
Notes
Budget Tips
Walnuts - If walnuts are expensive where you are right now (or if you can't eat them), a great coast-saving tip is to use half walnuts and half sunflower seeds in this recipe. You can get away with using ¾ cup walnuts and ¾ cup sunflower seeds instead of 1½ cups walnuts, and it can make a big difference to the cost. Vanilla - Vanilla powder is made from ground raw vanilla beans and gives an amazing flavour because it's unprocessed and pure, and unlike vanilla essence isn't blended with alcohol. That said, it's also incredibly expensive right now due to sourcing issues, so while it's a lovely ingredient to include, it isn't necessary. Feel free to use vanilla essence instead, or skip it completely.If you’ve tried this recipe, please leave a comment or tip for others below. I'd love to know how you’ve made it your own!
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De
Tried it and this is an Excellent recipe! Just be sure to be a high quality cocoa powder.
Elizabeth
Thanks so much De! I couldn't agree more. Using a high quality cocoa or cacao powder is so important when making raw desserts. 🙂
Tessa
So quick and easy to make and they completely satisfied my sweet cravings. The only downside is that I ate them all in 2 sittings - I will make double quantities next time and hide a batch in the freezer, in case of "emergencies"!
Elizabeth
Haha I know this feeling well Tessa! It happens to me all the time....so glad you loved them. 🙂
wippy
A 4-5 inch square dish does not make 9 servings
Elizabeth
The idea is the brownies are quite small in size - and it's ok if they are taller than they are wide! You're welcome to use a larger dish if you prefer, but I recommend this size as it helps the brownies stay intact. 🙂