The only brownie recipe you’ll ever need
These rich, sticky, indulgent chocolate bites are the best no-bake brownies we’ve ever tried! It’s a big claim, but once you’ve tried this super simple recipe, you won’t need any other.
Packed with a deliciously dense combination of dates, almonds, and cocoa, these are a decadent yet nutritious sweet treat.
Dates, nuts, and cocoa – every vegan baker’s go-to ingredients
If you have dried dates, nuts, and cocoa powder in the cupboard, then you’ll never be short of a delicious, healthy dessert or snack. These three classic ingredients are found in numerous vegan and ‘clean eating’ puds.
Dates
Dates are ideal for egg-free baking as their stickiness helps hold the mix together. If you are using dried dates, you will need to soak them in hot water for about 30 minutes before using, to ensure they are sufficiently sticky.
Naturally sweet, dates are a great way to add sweetness to a recipe without needing any extra refined and processed sugars. They are a particularly good substitute for recipes requiring a caramel flavor, such as a sauce for sticky toffee pudding.
Dates are also great in smoothies or just for snacking on as they are. Just remember that while they are full of nutrients, they are still high in natural sugars, so they should be consumed wisely.
Nuts
Nuts are perfect for snacking, blending into nut butters, or chopping up for an extra crunchy dessert topping. In ground form, they are ideal for baking, creating a dense texture and holding moisture well. A good source of plant protein and essential fats, nuts are also full of energy-boosting vitamins, particularly vitamin E, which is amazing for skin, hair, nails, and calcium, which is important for strong teeth and bones. Store nuts in an airtight container to keep them fresher for longer.
In this recipe we’ve used versatile whole, ground, and flaked almonds, but you could use walnuts, pecans, or hazelnuts instead. Before baking with almonds, always ask in advance if anyone who will be sampling your creations has a nut allergy.
Cocoa
Cocoa powder creates that decadent, chocolatey flavor that make brownies so popular. As a bonus, it’s also full of health-boosting antioxidants. You can use either cocoa or raw cacao, but remember that cacao has a stronger flavor, so you won’t need so much of it.
Vegan brownies you can whip up in a hurry
This recipe is so simple: just whizz up the ingredients in a food processor, press into a baking tray, then freeze for an hour while you get on with something else. They’re a great recipe to make with kids, who will love to lick the bowl afterwards. If you can be patient while they set you’ll be in for a delight!
And whether you follow a vegan diet or not, these wonderfully fudge-y brownies will be a hit with any chocolate lovers!
Super Simple Vegan Brownies (makes 10-12)
½ cup unsalted almonds
½ cup ground almonds
2 cups pitted dates
3 Tbsp cocoa powder (or less if using cacao)
2 Tbsp maple syrup
pinch of salt
Directions
- Soak the dates and almonds (separately) in boiling water for 30 minutes, then chop roughly.
- Put all the ingredients in a food processor and pulse until the mixture is sticky.
- Remove the brownie mix and press into a baking tray.
- Sprinkle with flaked almonds.
- Put the tray in the freezer for about a couple of hours so the mixture can set, then transfer to the fridge until ready to eat.
Recipe Notes
- Try soaking the dates in espresso before blending for a more grown-up version, or stir through some cocoa nibs for extra bite.
- Instead of the traditional brownie shape, you can also roll the mixture into small balls to create amazing brownie bites!
- This recipe is suitable for vegan, dairy-free, and egg-free diets, and for those avoiding processed sugars. They are not suitable for anyone with nut allergies.
- You can substitute the almonds for pretty much any other kind of nut.
- The maple syrup can be replaced with honey or agave syrup, or omitted altogether.
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