Raw brownies (gluten-free, vegan, 5 ingredients)
These raw brownies are the perfect healthy sweet treat or dessert option. They’re gluten-free, vegan, only contain 5 ingredients, and take less than 10 minutes to make. The best part: it’s a healthy brownie recipe with NO beans. I’m 100% on board with that.
I’ve been a bit of a chocolate monster lately. I say lately like it’s a new thing.
I’ve really cleaned up my eats with the ol’ gallbladder issue – lots more produce in my life! – but definitely still like my desserts. Mid-afternoon, I almost always enjoy a little sweet bite with my tea or after lunch. This is the latest fave: raw brownies! Even though I don’t use it as often as I did in the past, that raw vegan culinary school experience tends to come in handy.
All you need: raw walnuts, dates, cacao powder, water, and a little salt. You could get fancy here and add some vanilla and cacao nibs, but truthfully, they don’t need it. It’s like the easiest dessert ever. Just blend, press into a parchment-lined baking dish, pop in the fridge, and there ya go.
Some of the reasons why I like these:
They’re a satisfying sweet treat without a sugar crash.
They’re packed with nutrition. Dates and walnuts make up the base of this recipe. It’s an awesome dose of nutrients, healthy fats, and fiber.
The kiddos love them, too. When I pulled these out of the fridge, they couldn’t wait to try them! They happily ate the brownies while playing in the backyard and then came inside for seconds.
Here’s the quick and easy recipe!
Raw Vegan Brownies with dates and walnuts
Raw vegan brownies with dates and walnuts
Raw vegan brownies with only 5 ingredients! These are a perfect healthy dessert option and are naturally gluten-free and vegan. No added sugar.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: N/A
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 brownies 1x
Ingredients
1 1/2 cup pitted medjool dates (about 16 dates), soaked for at least 20 minutes
1 cup raw walnut pieces (+ more for the top)
1/4 C – 1/2 C cocoa powder (use more for a richer flavor and if you’re using raw cacao powder. If you’re using traditional cocoa powder, use less and add more later if needed)
Good pinch of sea salt
2–4 tablespoons of water
Instructions
Line an 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper.
In a food processor, pulse all of the ingredients until you have a smooth dough. Start with less water (2 T) and add more if needed. Taste and add more cocoa powder if you want a richer flavor.
Press the batter into the baking dish and top with additional walnut pieces.
Set in the fridge for about 30 minutes. Cut and serve!
Notes
Feel free to add in cacao nibs or top with shredded coconut! These are also great with goji berries mixed in.
Please let me know if you give them a try! What’s your favorite quick sweet bite?
xo
Gina
More of my fave healthy desserts:
Double chocolate protein muffin
Chocolate avocado chia pudding
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4 Comments
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Oh my gosh, these look so good! All I’m missing are the walnuts. Adding those to my shopping list and making ASAP. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Do you follow Chocolate Covered Katie’s blog at all? These are identical to a recipe of hers from a few years ago only without the frosting…https://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2019/09/01/the-ultimate-unbaked-brownies-raw-vegan/
If she inspired the recipe, I absolutely would have tagged her. Raw brownies are a very common recipe and you’ll see so many different versions of the same base recipe.
great content! thank you