There are tons of raw brownie 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!
Raw Hazelnut Chocolate 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
1. In food processor, blend hazelnuts, cacao, coconut and cinnamon until finely ground.
2. Add dates, 1/4 cup at a time, processing after addition until well blended. Add optional vanilla and process until combined.
3. Press mixture in an 8 x 8 pan, top with topping and refrigerate for 1 hour.
4. Cut into small squares.
Topping:
- 1/2 cup hazelnuts
- 1/4 cup dried, unsweetened coconut
- 2 teaspoons coconut oil, melted
1. Pulse all in food processor until coarsely chopped.
{ 37 comments… read them below or add one }
I can’t believe how simple this recipe is — your picture looks amazing!!! I just need to pick up some hazelnuts and cacao powder & I’m in business!!
This looks incredible! I haven’t made raw brownies but this looks so easy – no need for a dehydrator!
This recipe looks and sound so good that I have immediately printed it for a super fast experiment. Many thanks!
Be proud of your fabulous work as a raw chef and as a photographer!
By the way, as my self-reliance book is now on print in Amazon, you are now officially in my links in the blog and book and are hereby declared even more famous!
Franz
Did you soak and dehydrate the hazelnuts first?
I’m glad you gave the date/nut brownies a chance and created these. They sound delicious and very unique. I just bought some dates and hazelnuts, now I know what to do with them!
Yummy…this sounds wonderful…as do all your recipes!! I’ve yet to get around to trying any of them but haven’t read one I wouldn’t like to try…maybe after all the busy holiday nonsense???? Thanks for a gorgeous website and all the free recipes you so graciously share. Much success to you. Happy holidaze to you and your loved ones. Kym
Thank you so much, Kym!!
now that we’re in the holiday season, any chance you’ll be coming up with a recipe for a raw gingerbread house? I’m pretty sure I could dehydrate something to make the pieces, but the icing would have me stumped…hopeful
….
Hi Susan!
Thanks for another great recipe! Just made them, but, did you soak the dates first? Cuz I didn’t as your recipe did not call for it and mine are not sticking together very well? Wondering if they would of if I had soaked the dates first…….HELP. Thanks!
Robin, no, I didn’t soak the dates first. Just used them as is. I did have beautiful, soft medjool dates. If yours was too dry, you can always add water, a little at a time until it holds together well. Just be careful not to go too far.
We have our monthly vegan potluck this weekend. I always bring at least one raw dish to share. Now I get to bring this yummy treat! Did you soak the hazelnuts first? It would be helpful to know this, as I am making this in 2 days.
Thanks so much!
No, I did not soak the nuts. If I do, it is always specified in the recipe. You can soak and dehydrate if you wish. It won’t affect the recipe.
Thanks Susan. Mine were unfortunately not the moistest dates. So I did add some water all is good now!
These look absolutely delicious I’m going to have to make these before the holidays to try them.
Thanks for the recipe. = )
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
You are one of the most talented & original raw chefs. Thank you for your generosity.
can you use walnuts or cashews instead????
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!
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, you can use walnuts but probably not cashews. You might have to tweak the amounts.
Whoaa!!! Sounds and looks absolutely amazing! Brownies are my favorite. Now I can switch to raw foodism completely.
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)
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?
I like Larabars and I like brownies, so I’m guessing this is a good recipe for me
these look stunning!
Susan, yes, sultanas, raisins, same thing……just seedless grapes. They are very sticky and therefore they are easy to roll into little balls. Then you can coat them with coconut flour….yum.
Wow these look super good, and easy! Definitely making these to share with my family over the holidays. Thanks
I was surprised at how easy it is to make this, by looking at the picture, i was 100% sure some dehydrating is involved at least, or that i need to soak stuff for 12 hours, but it is easy and looks absolutely splendid. This is definitely a runner up for my raw Christmas feast. I’m not such a big fan of dates either, always found them too sweet and chewy, i reckon i will be using just one cup of dates, with something else added in for balance. Maybe more coconut or hazelnuts.
I saw someone mentioned sultanas instead of dates, aren’t those a sort of raisin? I’m not sure they’d have the right texture though, for this kind of brownie. Has anyone else tried with raisins?
I LOVE this recipe!
I just made these today (check them out on my blog), men they were amazing! loved the crumbely topping! Ill make these in the future too- thats for sure
Hi these look amazing! I was just wondering….are the hazelnuts raw or roasted?
The hazelnuts are raw, not roasted.
Just came across your site the other day. I have a family full of nonbelievers in the raw/vegan food departments so I was determined to find great recipes to please all palates at the table! This one went down an absoloute treat. Beautiful treat
We just held a small class on making nutrient dense deserts for our early childhood program and tried some variations on this recipe. All the treats are so delicous, some recipes we used prunes instead of dates- as another possibility.
I’m wondering if you were allergic to nuts what a substitute could be as many of our recipes were nut based.
A type of seed perhaps that could work instead?
Thanks so much,
Danielle
These are the best. I have non-raw foodists at work asking me to bring them in. My daughter now makes these for the kids instead of “normal” brownies. Converting people one food dish at a time! Love it. Thanks for the great recipes.
I followed the recipe but mine came out very crumbly;not moist at all. What did I do wrong? I could not cut it. I will use it as a topping as the flavor is very good.
If your dates are very dry and not moist, you may need to use a tablespoon of water, or two. (see recipe) Cheers!
Made these on Thanksgiving for my son’s girlfriend who is a raw vegan. Came out perfect the first try! Very easy to make and liked by everyone. Thanks for the recipe, I wanted to do something nice for her and these were a big hit.