Hazelnut Chocolate Raw Brownies
There are a ton of raw brownies recipes on the net that are walnut and date based. I have avoided these recipes thinking that they can’t possibly be that good. I like dates, but in small quantities. So a recipe that was pretty much dates and nuts didn’t interest me at all. All of that changed today. I am eating my words and my brownies!
I had quite a large surplus of dates left over from making some nut crusts for the new 2011 Rawmazing Calendar. Thinking now is as good of a time as any create a raw date brownie, hazelnuts were the nuts of choice for me. The thought of a “Nutella” brownie with a splash of cinnamon was an exciting proposition!
I am happy to report that the brownies turned out great. Super easy and quick to make with a wonderful hazelnut-chocolate flavor dusted with just a hint of cinnamon. This recipe will please raw and non-raw alike. They are simply that good!
Hazelnut Chocolate Raw Brownies
Brownies
- 1 1/2 cup hazelnuts
- 1/2 cup raw cacao powder
- 1/3 cup dried, unsweetened coconut
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla (optional)
- 2 cups dates, pitted and coarsely chopped
- 1 or more tablespoons of water, if needed
- In food processor, blend hazelnuts, cacao, coconut and cinnamon until finely ground.
- Add dates, 1/4 cup at a time, processing after addition until well blended. Add optional vanilla and process until combined.
- Press mixture in an 8 x 8 pan, top with topping and refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Cut into small squares.
Topping
- 1/2 cup hazelnuts
- 1/4 cup dried, unsweetened coconut
- 2 teaspoons coconut oil, melted
- Pulse all in food processor until coarsely chopped.
hannahmarie wrote on December 4, 2011
I like Larabars and I like brownies, so I’m guessing this is a good recipe for me 🙂
Franz Sidney wrote on December 4, 2011
Hello again!
I made the brownies but I didn’t have coconut. I added a tiny amount of honey, a little peppermint oil and some water and rolled them to form some macaroons (little balls). They are rich and delicious. Yummy!
Someone was asking for a substitute for dates. There is something you can use instead and it is cheaper, too – sultanas. I would imagine that anyone could try using different types of dry fruit and how rich the compost will be.
Warning: this stuff can be seriously addictive, Susan! 🙂 🙂 🙂
It is excellent for my family as we are all allergic to dairies and we do miss our daily chocolate! (And raw chocolate is far too expensive)
Susan wrote on December 4, 2011
I looked up Sultanas and what I found was that it is another name for Thompson grapes. When they are dried, they make golden raisins. Is this what you were referring to?
Lana wrote on December 3, 2011
Whoaa!!! Sounds and looks absolutely amazing! Brownies are my favorite. Now I can switch to raw foodism completely.
Kelly wrote on December 1, 2011
Hi, Susan,
The recipe looks good, but I don’t like dates. Any ideas for substitution? I’d love to make these for my husband. And if anyone knows how to substitute in raw cooking, you do!
Thanks, as always!
Susan wrote on December 2, 2011
Hi, Kelly, Since dates are the main ingredient, there really isn’t a substitution for this recipe. But, if you read above, I wasn’t a fan of dates either and you really don’t taste them here. It is quite amazing. There is a recipe for Brownie Bites in the Rawmazing Desserts Book. http://rawmazingdesserts.com/
Carly Lavallee wrote on December 1, 2011
can you use walnuts or cashews instead????
Susan wrote on December 2, 2011
Carly, you can use walnuts but probably not cashews. You might have to tweak the amounts. 🙂
ben wrote on December 1, 2011
You are one of the most talented & original raw chefs. Thank you for your generosity.
ute wrote on November 30, 2011
Thank you Susan for your generosity of sharing your recipes,
your photographs are so visually pleasing and they give me great incentive to try them out.
love to you
ute
Annette wrote on November 30, 2011
These look absolutely delicious I’m going to have to make these before the holidays to try them.
Thanks for the recipe. = )
Robin wrote on November 30, 2011
Thanks Susan. Mine were unfortunately not the moistest dates. So I did add some water all is good now! 🙂