Raw Vegan Chocolate Frosted Brownies

For a while now I’ve been wanting to do more raw desserts.  Larabar type things are great, but there are so many options when it comes to raw desserts that I want to try!  I hope you wont mind as I experiment more with raw treats.  I can’t wait to try some more in the summer months when there’s so much fresh, amazing fruit available.

Speaking of fresh fruit, if you couldn’t tell from the pictures, these brownies are so amazing with fresh strawberries!

Of course my version of raw isn’t always completely raw.  I do use cocoa powder because, let’s face it, I really can’t afford cacao powder at the rate we would go through it.  And maple syrup isn’t technically raw either.  So if you want things actually raw, keep that in mind.  That kind of thing doesn’t bother me because this brownie is incredibly healthy already and that’s good enough for me.

So moving on… I just want to let you know I made these in a loaf pan as you can see above.  I find raw desserts take us a lot longer to eat around our house.  Partially because my hubby is pretty picky when it comes to desserts, but mostly because they actually satisfy your sweet tooth without making it worse.  You can of course double this recipe and make it in an 8×8 pan.  And they do freeze well(and taste SO yummy straight out of the freezer since the avocado doesn’t freeze solid) so making more might be a good thing 🙂

I know the topping looks ever so slightly gritty, but trust me you could not tell.  I stopped processing a little prematurely because I was afraid of blowing up my little mini food processor.  I was lazy and wanted to make the frosting without washing my regular food processor so I used the processor that came with my immersion blender but this frosting needs to blend a little longer than it can handle to be completely smooth.  Just blend until you can’t see any flecks of green and you’ll have the most amazingly smooth frosting ever.  And even if it doesn’t look totally smooth, it will be just as good.

Forgive me, I couldn’t pick any pictures to exclude from the post!  Enjoy!

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Raw Vegan Chocolate Frosted Brownies

Prep Time

15 mins

Total Time

15 mins

 

Servings: 8 -12 small brownies

Author: Heidi @ Food Doodles

Ingredients

• 1/2 C walnuts
• 1/4 C almonds
• 1 C soft Medjool dates
• 1/4 C unsweetened cocoa powder or cacao powder to be truly raw
• pinch sea salt
• dash vanillaFrosting:
• 2 ripe avocados
• 1/4 C cocoa powder or cacao to be truly raw
• 1/4 C + 1 tbsp maple syrup
• dash vanilla
• pinch sea salt

Instructions

1. Prepare a loaf pan by lining with parchment or plastic wrap for easy removal.
2. In a food processor first blend the nuts until no large pieces remain. Place the nuts in a bowl. Add the date and process until a "dough" forms - this will happen after the dates are broken up into small pieces, just continue processing.
3. Once the dates are fully processed, break up the dough with a knife then add the nuts, cocoa, salt and vanilla and process until thoroughly combined. The mixture may not stick together but will hold together when pinched.
4. Pour the mixture into the loaf pan and press down firmly.
5. For the frosting, process the avocados, cocoa powder, maple syrup, vanilla and salt until completely smooth and no green pieces remain, scraping down the sides of the food processor as needed. Pour the mixture over the brownies and smooth out. Cover by placing a piece of plastic wrap directly on top of the frosting so that no air can touch it as it will oxidize. Refrigerate 1-2 hours or until ready to serve.
6. These brownies will last up to 4-5 days covered in the fridge or can be frozen well wrapped for up to 2 months. The top of the avocado frosting may turn darker as the avocado oxidizes but this does not affect the taste