Raw Brownies with Chocolate Icing - These scrumptious no-bake fudgy brownies are a delicious treat for any age!
I got into raw desserts circa...2011?
Somewhere around that time, I discovered my first energy bite recipe and was hooked!
It was around that time also that I discovered blogs, probably before the former. Back then, new moms and young women were just writing about their mediocre, humdrum days, as well as what they ate for each meal.
I adored reading these tales, as I was a humdrum, mediocre housewife that loved food!
Much of what other women were eating included energy balls, overnight oats, green monster smoothies, and cauliflower-based pizzas.
These creations were all new and exciting, so I started experimenting on my own. This brownie recipe is my sweet, chocolat-y baby of that period.
Brownies, oatmeal raisin cookies, lemon meringue pie, and carrot cake are all among my top favorite desserts, but there's something about a brownie that's just so comforting!
These brownies are rich, but healthier than the average recipe, and the icing is what really makes these stand out from just being a chocolate Larabar.
Also, some of you may wish to double the icing, since that's your favorite part, and you eat half of it before you get it on the brownie...just sayin'.
Other brownie recipes you might enjoy:
Healthy Pumpkin Brownies
The Best Black Bean Brownies
Oat Flour Sweet Potato Brownies
Raw Brownies with Chocolate Icing
Ingredients
BROWNIE:
- ½ cup walnuts or pumpkin seeds
- ½ cup oats
- 10 soft Medjool dates
- 3 Tbsp cocoa powder
- ¼ tsp sea salt
- 1 Tbsp water as needed
ICING:
- 3 Tbsp coconut oil
- 1 ½ Tbsp cocoa
- 1 Tbsp maple syrup
- pinch salt
Instructions
- Process the walnuts or seeds and oats until they are 'meal-y' in consistency.
- Remove the meal, and add the dates to the processor.
- Process dates until the are broken down a bit.
- Add back in the oat mix, along with the cocoa and salt, adding a bit of water as needed to bring the mix together.
- Process until well combined.
- Press the mix into an oiled 7 x 5 inch dish.
- Place dish into the fridge while you prepare the icing.
- For the icing, mix all the ingredients until smooth. Be sure to use room temperature ingredients or the mixture will clump.
- Pour atop the brownies; refrigerate until set.
- Cut and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Notes:
You can omit the oats and use 1 cup of walnuts or pumpkin seeds.
Some of the items I use in this recipe include:
Shared with: Full Plate Thursday, Fiesta Friday, Home Matters Party, Create, Bake, and Grow Party, Homestead Blog Hop
June
Lauren, these are delicious! I used carob and they turned out great.
Lauren
Oh, that's great, June, thanks for the rating and comment! I must try carob sometime myself. 🙂
Donna @ Modern on Monticello
I have just recently started eating protein balls so I am sure these are wonderful. Thanks for sharing the recipe. #HomeMattersParty
Natalie
These brownies are the best brownies ever!
Dawn Shelton
Hi Lauren! I haven't commented in so long... and you had a baby in the meantime, CONGRATS!
I am in love w/ everything to do w/ Dates right now. This looks so good!
I just did an easy App where I cut the date in half added goat cheese and topped off w/ Walnuts & drizzled honey. DELISH!
Take care sweetie!!!
Lauren
Hi Dawn! So nice to hear from you! Yeah, I've been updating some of the old date-based recipes, so I'm glad you're enjoying them! :)♥
Sophie
I have been making these for years. My favorite go-to recipe! And every time I serve it for someone else, without failing they tell me it’s the best brownie ever!
Lauren
Thanks, Sophie! These are a long time favorite here too. 🙂
Kathy
WOW!! These are are truly delicious! I cant believe something this healthy can taste this good!!!!
Laura
These were a hit at my daughter's bday party. Thank you for sharing the yumminess!
Natalie
Hi, just wondering is the T stand for teaspoon or tablespoon. Thanks for this post, excited about making these !
Lauren
Hi Natalie,
The T is for tablespoon. 🙂 I hope you enjoy them!
Jeanne B-W
Ok, seriously, these are AMAZING. I made a batch and my hubby and I loved them. Hope it's okay, I posted a link to your site/recipe on my FB page. 🙂
Lauren
Thank you Jeanne!...for the comment and the link love. ♥♥
Jeanne B-W
Do you soak the dates, or just use them as is? Thanks!
Lauren
I don't soak mine, as they are fairly soft already, but if yours are a bit stale, you may want to soak them in some warm water for about 10 minutes. 🙂
Rita
This is the first time I have made a raw desert, I've just switched to a gluten free diet a couple months ago because of an auto immune so this is my first attempt at a desert and these were amazing!! I didn't have pecans so I subbed walnuts and they were perfect...
Lauren
That's awesome Rita! Thanks for letting me know! 😀
Judy
Just noted there is no mention of using GF oats as many oats are cross contaminated and not really gluten free. Bob's Red Mill offers GF oats.
Beth
These look fantastic! I am wondering why you didn't use cacao powder instead cocoa? I am getting ready to make them using cacao. I make something very similar with pecans, coconut, dates and topped with dark chocolate. Such a yummy treat with the benefit of being healthy too!
Lauren
You can use which ever you prefer! 🙂
Nancy
These are wonderful!!! Thank you!!!
Kate @ Eat, Recycle, Repeat
These look deliciously rich! My mouth is watering as I type 🙂
Peggy
These look awesome!
Lauren
Thanks Peggy! Your chocolate granola looks awesome too! 😀
amber
Hi Lauren,
Another reader favorite last week on AFW. Great job! 🙂
Shirley @ gfe & All Gluten-Free Desserts
Wow, Lauren! Those look TOTALLY amazing! 🙂 Can't wait to share with others and must make soon. 😉
Shirley
Lauren
Thank you so much Shirley! I hope you enjoy them as much as we do. 😀
Amber
You need to write a cookbook. Seriously!!!!!!!
🙂 Amber
Mary Frances @ The Sweet {Tooth} Life
How you make your raw desserts look so much like the real thing is incredible. Amazing recipe and photography
Hauntedmansion138
These were wonderful. Because I didn't have any pecans on hand, I substituted almonds. They were just as yummy. Great recipe!!!
Lauren
That's great! Thanks so much for letting me know! 😀
Hauntedmansion138
Thank you Lauren. I'm going to try these tonight 🙂
Lauren
Awesome. Let me know what you think (good or bad) if you're able. 😀
Hauntedmansion138
Is the coconut oil softened or just hard right out of the jar? I am still learning how to use that ingredient properly.
Lauren
It depends on the temperature of your kitchen... To use it in this recipe, you'll want to make sure that it's liquid (melted). 🙂
Amy
oooohhh.... This looks amazing!!! I love raw dessert, this one is gonna be the next I try!
xox Amy
kesse
Could I substitute something for the dates? I don't have any right now.
Lauren
Prunes or raisins would work, but the flavor will be a bit different. Dried apricots would work too. 🙂
kesse
oh, dried apricots! i have those, thanks! 🙂
Ricki
Oh my, oh my!! You can literally SEE the fudginess in those right on the screen! They look amazing. Thanks so much for adding these to the Wellness Weekend roundup of healthy, yummy recipes this week (glad you made it in under the wire!) 😀
Lauren
Thanks again Ricki, and thank you for the Twitter mention! I love healthy link-ups!
Marlys @Thisand That
These look awesome... Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friends Friday!
marlys-thisandthat.blogspot.com
Angie @ The Fitness Apple
HEY Lauren I love your blog just found it. I love to use DATES in my recipes for vegan pies. If you need a pie crust recipe I found an easy one with 5 ingredients PLEASE try it out. Let me know if you want the recipe! PS, how old are you?! 🙂 do you do work outs? Im excited to keep up with you and your blog!
Anna @ The Guiltless Life
Gah I am very excited about these brownies! Pinning them right now! 🙂
Ellie
Mmmmm delish!!! It looks so moist and fudgy~It has all of my favorite ingredients too! And for some reason, lately I've been itching to eat something with carob in it so I'm like, weak in the knees right now. 😛
Min
I've never used carob powder before, but I'm seeing it in a lot of recipes! Def need to give it a try! And look at Gus! Haha..he seems so angry and frustrated puhaha!
Alex @ therunwithin
oh man those look melt in your mouth good.