Chipotle Cacao Raw Brownies
Quick: You are traveling, you don’t have any of your own kitchen equipment and someone asks you to bring a raw dessert to dinner. What to do? Raw Brownies! I recently posted a brownie recipe but instead of making the same recipe, I found myself thinking, “What else can I do with this raw recipe?”. The thought of adding a little heat and smoke to the chocolate was irresistible. I was so pleased with how these came out, I thought it was worth sharing with you.
This time around I decided to use walnuts instead of hazelnuts and throw in some ground chipotle powder to get the aforementioned heat and smoke. I rounded it out with cinnamon, an exciting addition of figs that created depth and a chipotle ganache. Gourmet raw brownies, here we come!
Walnuts are a great source of Omega-3’s, heart healthy monounsaturated fats, anti-oxidants to support your immune system and L-arginine, an essential amino acid which promotes healthy blood pressure.
Chipotle Cacao Raw Brownies
MAKES 16 2x2 inch Brownies
Brownies
- 2 cups walnuts
- 1 cup cacao powder
- 1 teaspoon ground chipotle powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- pinch Himalayan salt
- 2 cups Medjool dates
- 1/2 cup dried figs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla (optional)
- Process the walnuts in the food processor until finely ground.
- Add cacao, chipotle powder, cinnamon and salt. Pulse until combined.
- Add figs and dates, 1/4 cup at a time until all ingredients are well combined. Pulse in optional vanilla.
- Pat into 8 x 8-inch pan.
Chipotle Ganache
- 1/2 cup cacao
- 1/2 cup agave nectar or liquid sweetener of your choice
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- Whisk all ingredients together. Pour over top of brownies and chill until set.
- Cut into 2″ squares.
Emma wrote on April 9, 2013
Thanks so much for the recipe. I made them today and they’re fabulous. The chipotle really adds something special and you’re right about cutting them into little squares, they’re super rich!
Susan wrote on February 6, 2013
I did not soak them but mine were fresh and soft. Cheers!
Keegan wrote on February 6, 2013
Quick question, do you soak the dates and figs first?
Tiffany wrote on September 30, 2012
For the 2 cups nuts, can I replace something else with it? Something other than nuts or seeds?
Susan wrote on September 30, 2012
You might want to try a recipe that isn’t nut based. It is such a dramatic substitution, the whole recipe would have to be reworked. Cheers!
kira wrote on May 25, 2012
Chipotle peppers are smoked jalapenos, so no, not raw–chocolate also goes well with New Mexico red peppers or a dash of serrano or jalapeno–if you really do not like hot, just add more cinnamon.
Susan wrote on May 25, 2012
Yes, they are not raw. But I love using them for flavor in recipes. You will notice that this site is not about being 100% raw, it is about incorporating raw food into your diet. Chipotle peppers actually have some wonderful health benefits and also a tiny amount gives a big flavor.
Jill wrote on April 27, 2012
Wowza! These look fantastic, and I can’t wait to try them out!! Yummmm…
Alyssa wrote on April 21, 2012
These are great! This recipe was a huge hit with my friends! Thank you!
Naraleska wrote on April 12, 2012
These are really good!!! I just made them, have to finish the ganache thou, but I just had to say yuuuuummmmmmm!! while on my way to finish them …. 😉
Adrienne Graves wrote on March 10, 2012
Have I mentioned these are my “go to” for all gatherings?! I make these for sure once a month, if not twice, to take to parties or when we hosted our own. Everyone raves about them and can’t believe they are raw and healthy 🙂 I can…because raw and healthy tastes good! Anyway, thank you for introducing me to our new brownie staple. Now, I must be off…I have to make a batch to take to our friend’s house tonight!