Raw Chocolatey Caramel-Flavored Brownies
Do you ever experience overwhelming cravings for a particular food–cravings so strong that you have no other option but to cave in and satisfy the crippling urges? I know I do, and when the cravings are that strong they are typically spurred by something drizzled with chocolate, something coated in chocolate, chocolate-flavored something, or just plain ol’ chocolate.
Recently, everywhere I turned I would see rich chocolate brownies: at the grocery store, on commercials, in magazine ads, and all over the Internet. It was unavoidable. And it brought on those crazy intense cravings that just wouldn’t go away. So what’s a girl to do when she just has to have chocolate brownies? Make some, of course!! But not just any brownies, healthy brownies. I know what you’re thinking: there’s no way that healthy brownies are good brownies. I get it, and you don’t have to believe me when I say this, but it’s absolutely possible to make healthy brownies that are delicious too. Amazingly delicious. In fact, they’re so good that they might be–dare I say–the best brownies I’ve ever had!
Whoa, did I just go too far?!? Hear me out on this one: these brownies are as rich, decadent, and tasty as your typical baked brownies with the added bonus of being made from whole, healthy ingredients. And because they’re not cooked, your body reaps the greatest benefit from the healthy ingredients AND they’re done in a flash with minimal effort required. Boom! Oh yeah, it doesn’t get much better than that.
Fortunately, your food processor or blender will do all the hard work. Once the ingredients have been mixed, stir in the chopped walnuts and press the mixture into a parchment-lined loaf pan…
Next, you’ll stick the pan in the freezer for 20-30 minutes (or until firm enough that everything holds together easily–it will feel like a long and difficult wait, but I promise it’s worth it). Then they’re ready! It’s that easy! Once you remove the pan from the freezer, slice and enjoy your rich…
chocolatey….
delectable-enough-to-satisfy-even-the-strongest-of-cravings brownies!
And because they’re healthy, you won’t have to feel guilty when you eat a couple way more than you should I will warn you though: these brownies are extremely rich and dense, so a little bit goes a long way. They also might just convince you to never make baked brownies again.
- 1 cup walnuts
- ¼ cup + 2 Tbs. raw cacao or carob powder (or a mix of the 2)
- 2 Tbs. lucuma powder (optional, but this is what adds more of a caramel flavor)
- ⅛ – ¼ tsp. sea salt
- 2 Tbs. almond butter
- 10-12 pitted and roughly chopped dates (measuring approx. 1 rounded cup)
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts
- In a food processor or blender, break down the walnuts (but don’t blend too long or it will turn into walnut butter). Add the cacao/carob powder, lucuma powder, and sea salt and blend until combined. Add the almond butter and blend well. Now, begin adding the dates a little bit at a time. You may have to stop and scrape down the sides of the blender/food processor bowl as you go. By now, the mixture should be sticking and clumping together. If you squeeze some of the mixture together between your fingers and it still seems too crumbly, mix in a couple more dates.
- Line the inside of a loaf pan with parchment paper. Pour the brownie mix into the pan and use your fingers to spread the mixture out evenly and press it firmly into the pan.
- Place the pan in freezer for 20-30 minutes, or until the brownies are firm enough to hold together. Gently remove the brownies from the pan and slice into squares.
- Store uneaten brownies in a sealed container in the fridge (if they last that long).
- Enjoy!
*I’ve submitted this recipe to Healthy Vegan Fridays and Gluten Free Fridays
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11 thoughts on “Raw Chocolatey Caramel-Flavored Brownies”
Wow, these look super easy to make an they are pretty healthy – my favourite combo!
Ha, my favorite combo, too
Looove the addition of lucuma and almond butter! I will definitely try that next time I make raw brownies
Wow, these look amazing and easy!! Got them pinned and tweeted! Thanks for linking up to Gluten Free Fridays!
Thanks so much Cindy!
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What other fruit could possibly substitute dates? I’m not a huge fan of those!
You could use raisins (which would probably be the best substitution) or dried figs.