Currently, I am having serious after-lunch craving for these raw vegan brownies. Why is it that whenever I eat something healthy, I feel the need to cancel it out or balance it out with chocolate or in this case, a brownie?
Ingredients for brownie base:
- 4 cups walnuts*
- 2/3 cup raisins
- 2/3 cup Medjool dates
- 2/3 cup cacao powder
- 1 tablespoon Mexican (ceylon) cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons finely ground star anise
- 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
- pinch of sea salt (optional)
- 2 tablespoons water
Ingredients for frosting:
- 1/2 cup maple syrup or agave nectar
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, warmed to liquid
- 2/3 cup cacao powder
Directions for brownie base:
- Place walnuts into a food processor and grind into the consistency of a meal. Don t over process or it will release too much oil.
- Add the raisins and dates and process until the mixture is well combined.
- Add the cocoa powder, cinnamon, vanilla, star anise, cayenne and sea salt and process again until mixture is sticky yet still crumbly. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- Add the water and mix well using your hands. It should start to resemble a dough.
- Press mixture into an 8 x 8 inch baking pan lined with parchment paper or plastic wrap.
Directions for frosting:
- Add maple syrup to the blender first followed by the coconut oil and cocoa powder. Blend well until smooth.
- Spread topping over brownies and chill at least 1-2 hours.
- Remove brownie by lifting up the parchment paper and slice into desired size pieces.
Image, ingredients, and directions [ via ]
