Food can be so polarizing.
Every so often I get a comment from a reader austerely reminding me that 'honey isn't vegan' or 'quinoa isn't paleo' or even 'oatmeal isn't clean eating'. Yikes!
If oatmeal isn't clean eating, I'm in a heap of trouble.
It struck me one day that diet types are kind of like high school cliques.
You have your vegans, your vegetarians, your paleons (word?), the hard-core gluten-free-ers, those that eat everything but grains, FODMAPers, the SCD gang, low carbs, no carbs, rawists, food combiners, oil avoiders, weight watchers, and the leftover smattering of people who don't really fit in with any particular group and are just trying to be healthy.
The thing is, every group is trying to be healthy the best way they know how, myself included. It just happens that one diet does not fit all.
In our house, the biggest challenge comes with nuts, seeds, and dairy.
Within the last month or so, we've pretty much eliminated dairy from our lives with the exception of a bit of cheese, which I'm thrilled about. It has taken me years to have my husband, in particular, realize that milk is not his friend. 🙂
In raw desserts like this, I resort to using pumpkin seeds in the base since our whole family tolerates them well, and they taste delicious!
The 'frosting' is what really makes this dessert special. It's thick, sweet, and creamy, and it makes the entire confection taste truly decadent!
Gooey Raw Brownie Bars (Nut-Free)
Ingredients
- BASE:
- ½ c . pumpkin seeds (you can use another nut or seed here if you prefer)
- ½ c . oats (can also be replaced with more nuts or seeds if paleo or grain-free)
- 10 large , soft dates (I used Medjool)
- 3 T . cocoa powder
- ¼ t . sea salt
- 1-3 t . water (less if using a 'fattier' nut like walnuts)
- FILLING:
- 2 avocados (use a less ripe one to ensure less avocado taste)
- 4 T . maple syrup
- 3 T . cocoa powder
- 1 t . vanilla
- ⅛ t . sea salt
- 1 T . coconut oil , melted
- 10 drops liquid stevia (or another tablespoon of maple syrup)
Instructions
- BASE:
- Process the seeds and oats (if using) until they are broken down into a meal consistency.
- Remove the mix, and add in the dates.
- Process the dates until they form a ball of date paste.
- Add back in the seed/oat mix along with the cocoa powder and salt.
- Process until well-mixed.
- Add in water as needed until the mix begins to clump a bit.
- Press the mix into a lightly oiled 7 x 5 inch glass dish (mine is by Pyrex).
- Place into the refrigerator while you make the filling.
- FILLING:
- Process all of the ingredients together until smooth and well combined.
- Pour atop the base.
- Chill the dessert until the top has set (it will still be slightly soft).
- Cut and serve!
Notes
Nutrition
Adapted from this recipe
I like the bottom layer to remain a bit softer, but if you'd like it to firm up, just replace the water with melted coconut oil.
I posted a picture of this on Instagram while my husband was at work, and he was dying to come home and try them. It was seriously tough to save him any, but I did, and he just loved them! ♥♥♥
What type of diet do you follow? Do you find yourself becoming angry over your food views?
Kurt
Drool!!!! I love these!!!
Zeynep
Hi Lauren, I just wanted to let you know that I agree with you on "everyone is trying to be healthy in the best way they can and one diet does not fit all." I, myself, also try different diet approaches and recipes but I can not put myself in one category as paleo, gluten free, sugar free etc. i see that not eating grain or eating less makes me feel better, but I also like to enjoy my quinoa or brown rice once in a while with no guilt. And when I eat then, it does not bother me.
Mary @ Fit and Fed
Hi Lauren! I used this as an inspiration and adapted the crust (almond meal instead of the pumpkin seeds, I know that doesn't work for you) for the bottom layer of a vegan mud pie. Loved it! Makes such a rich, dark, sweet crust that stays together really well.
Lauren
Yum Mary, that sounds so awesome! Thanks for trying it out and sharing your adaptation. 🙂
Ana
Would using raw cacao powder be ok to use instead of the cocoa powder? If so the same amount?
Looking forward to making for a potluck dinner in a few weeks.
Lauren
Hi Ana,
Yes, you can use cacao, and yes an equal amount. 🙂 I hope you enjoy them!
Ashley @ Blissful Basil
Lauren, these look amazingly decadent! I will absolutely be making these! Such great photos, too.
Lauren
Thank you so much Ashley! xo
Ashley @ Blissful Basil
Lauren, these look amazingly decadent! I will absolutely be making these asap. Yum!
Cara Tegler
I am so excited to try these!
I love that you used pumpkin seeds in the crust, a lovely alternative to nuts.
I can see why your husband was anticipating them so much...mmm!
Gabby @ the veggie nook
YUM! I would be dying to come home to these too!
Katie (The Muffin Myth)
I love the comparison of food trends to highschool cliques. You're spot on with that one! The deeper I get into nutrition the more I realize how different we are all. What works for me doesn't work for everyone, and I certainly don't fit into most of these extreme or fad diets. For me, small amounts of grain, high quality dairy, and tons of veg is the best approach, and treats in moderation. I love avocado based puddings, but for some reason I had never considered using avocado in bars like this. Great idea! Another fab recipe to try, thanks!
Lauren
I definitely don't fit in with any diet either! I envy your ability to eat dairy. It makes me itch and develop mucus like crazy, but oh, how I miss greek yogurt! Thanks for the comment Katie! 🙂
Cassie
People love being know-it-alls to try and tear other people down. It's so dumb. Why can't people just be nice?
Lauren
Haha, I know! It's good to see someone else think that! 🙂
Erica {Coffee & Quinoa}
No one could argue with how jaw-droppingly delicious these bars look! You really are the queen of raw bars. Chocolate avocado frosting FTW 🙂
Miss Polkadot
Comparing diet types with high school cliques hits it. Personally, I'm somewhere in between eating largely vegan with some dairy when I feel like it. The rigidness of followers of certain diets and sadly also intolerance towards people eating differently or just not as strict annoys me. To each their own. Nobody has the right to decide how others eat or judge them for not sticking with the "rules" of a certain diet all the way. I think we need to individually figure out what works for us which is likely a mix of various diets that might change again at another point.
Okay, sorry for that lengthy ramble. Whichever diet they're suitable for these bars look really awesome.
Lauren
No need to be sorry, I totally agree! Thanks for your comment, I'm happy to read what others think. 🙂
Christine@ Apple of My Eye
Ohh these look so dense and delicious! Almost like fudge :).
Gorgeous pics!
emma @ be mom strong
My husband made your chocolate mousse last night so I will have to show him this!
As far as "diets" go... it's a lifestyle if you want change, not a quick fix is my philosophy!
Beth
why do you avoid protein powders and bars like the plague?
Lauren
They do NOT agree with me at all. I always have digestive trouble, headaches, and mood changes, no matter which one I try. 🙁
Mary Frances
Thanks for putting me in the same boat as your husband lol! These photos are killing me - I need a pan of these asap. Pinning! No way, people think oatmeal isn't clean eating? I get those comments too, especially the honey ... most of the time, I think people can go ahead and make the substitutions they need and move one. Oh well, tis the way it goes! 🙂
Lauren
Haha, sometimes it seems there are a bunch of food police out there just looking for a place to unleash their negativity. :-/
Melissa @ Nourish By Melissa
I can totally see why these are called "fantasy bars"...they look heavenly oh my, I neeeeed to make these 🙂
Kara @ life as a lemmon
Well stated about the "diet" thing! We believe in balance and moderation with almost all food groups and eating what works for us. I also love gooey brownies so I will be excited to try these. Thank you for sharing!
Beth
are you gluten free? How do you incorporate ACV? What foods are you allergic to? Just curious. How do you get your protein if you are vegan? Don't beans and soy (tofu) give you problems? Thanks so much. Oh, do you do protein powder or bars (such as quest bars) or any bars? Sorry so many questions. Just curious.
Lauren
Haha, no problem. I'm not gluten-free, but I don't eat it often either. For the ACV, I just add it to salad dressings or add it to a glass of water and drink it between meals. I'm not vegan, so I get my protein from eating some chicken and beef throughout the week. I don't eat soy at all! I do eat a lot of beans, but don't notice problems with them...and I avoid protein powders, bars, anything like the plague. 😀
Beth
what diets do you stick to? I try to stay gluten and dairy free and sort of low fodmap, but it doesn't seem to be helping my gi system, so I may try to just eat anything I want!
Lauren
I've not found any particular way of eating that works. The closest thing I've found is vegan, but I'm allergic to so many foods that I'm constantly feeling deficient in something when I eliminate meat. I eat just a little bit of chicken and beef 1-2x a week, which helps me. I try to eat A LOT of vegetables, a little fruit, a lot of brown rice, salads, and lately a green smoothie at least once a day. Have you tried acidophilus or even apple cider vinegar for your stomach? ACV helps me sometimes...
Heather
I follow a dairy free diet as does my daughter. hubby is a dairy lush. as for the rest, we include what we enjoy and what sits well with us. Honey comes from sister's father-in-law who keeps bees in a bee-friendly manner, free range eggs from a friend's farm (where I can interact with the chickens as desired. I'm not thrilled with eating meat, but the rest of my family are carnivores, means I kind of have to consider them, but they are becoming accustomed to eating a lot more vegans meals than ever before. Ever since I bought
Robin Robertson's ONe Dish Vegan we eat vegan a few times a week. I try not to get hung up on labels. What I do find surprising is that when I tell restaurant people that I am lactose intolerant, they keep trying to give me dairy and assure me it's lactose free. arg. Now I tell them no dairy, no margarine (since it usually includes some dairy) and generally that 'label' works. Thanks for your helpful recipes and post.
Lauren
Haha! Our husbands would hit it off I'm sure. I convinced mine to go off for just one week and then add it back in, so he did that and found himself in, um, the bathroom quite a bit. That pretty much convinced him. I actually have that book waiting for me at the library, it looks awesome! Thanks for your comment Heather. 🙂
Mike @TheIronYou
Lauren, you're like the queen of raw bars; these looks insanely awesome and I love that you used pumpkin seeds (that I loooove!)
Lauren
Thanks buddy! Pumpkin seeds are da bomb yo. 🙂
Nina
Ohmygosh! These look amazing! And I'm dying to try avocado in a "sweet" form since I positively love them 🙂 as far as diets go, mine has always been "everything in moderation" approach. I have recently been heading more towards the raw food kick since I had my baby almost 6 months ago. I have always eaten healthy and simply don't crave "junk" food, except chocolate 😉 (and I hear that dark chocolate is good for you!!)...but since I'm nursing, I want my baby to get the best nutrients from me. And man, the natural energy kick I get from eating whole foods is so much needed! 🙂
Sooooo...need to hit the grocery store and make these!!! 🙂
Lauren
Thanks Nina! That's a great mindset, especially when nursing. I hope you enjoy the bars if you try them!! 🙂
Heather
OMG I am drooling! And so perfect because I can't have nuts! However, could you tell me what a substitute would be for the dates and approx how much? I can't have them either but I am in love with these already. You are amazing. Thank you.
Lauren
Thanks Heather! You can use any dried fruit you tolerate, raisins or apricots would both be good. I'd say about 1/2-3/4 cup of either. I hope that helps!