Raw Dark Chocolate Brownies

I love dark chocolate and this recipe is a personal favourite. Someone once asked me, why don’t you just bake some real Brownies? I get creative because I want the maximum nutrient in my food. Dates are a great source of magnesium and I seem to use more than my share most days. Real chocolate is also a great source of magnesium. I can’t think of a better way to get my nutrition. Enjoy❣️

Ingredients for the Brownies:

• 1 1/4 cups Walnuts 

• ½ cup hemp seeds

• 14 large soft Medjool dates (about 1 ½ cups)

• ½ cup unsweetened cacao powder

• pinch of sea salt

• 2 tsp. vanilla extract

• 1 or 2 tsp. water, if needed

• 2 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate for the icing.

Directions:

Line a 8 X 8 inch pan with parchment paper, with a little extra to hang over the edge.

Place1 cup of walnuts into a food processor and process until it looks like course oatmeal.

Add the hemp seeds and pitted dates and process until it sticks together and makes a ball.

Add the cacao powder, vanilla, salt and process until thoroughly combined.  The mixture should be slightly sticky, so that it holds it’s shape when pressed into the pan.  If it’s not, I will add a little water, ½  teaspoon at a time.  See the picture for the right consistency.  If the dates are firm instead of soft, you will need more water.

Add the last ¼ cup of walnut  to the food processor and pulse until just combined. 

Spoon the mixture onto the parchment paper in your pan and press it down with the back of a spoon into even.  Place in the fridge.

Melt 2 oz. of chocolate.  You can get creative here.  I will add peppermint, orange, tangerine or cinnamon bark essential oil to the melted chocolate.  Pour over your brownies and smooth for the icing.  Cool until firm and cut into pieces.  

Store in the fridge or freezer. 

This recipe is a personal favourite of mine with orange essential oil in the icing. 

Variation:  Add a ½ cup of crunchy peanut butter and shape into walnut size balls. Roll them in Chocolate Deluxe Pure Protein Powder from Young Living.  Then I just call them energy bites.