Raw Organic Cocao Brownies

I figured I need to throw in a bit of light heartedness following my last two posts - which are quite heavy and serious in tone. What better way to break up the week and blog with some Chocolate!

My good friend celebrated her birthday over the weekend, and adores chocolate brownies, alas I thought I would take this opportunity to whip her up some not so typical brownies, but equally as delicious. Raw Organic Cocao Brownies - nothing short of amazing and also guilt-free! They are made using all raw and certified organic ingredients, so raw meaning no baking necessary - enabling the full nutritional benefits to be reaped. No refined sugar or flour, or eggs are used either.

So what is in them you may ask? 4 simple ingredients - certified organic raw cocao powder, dates, walnuts and vanilla bean extract. The key ingredient being the raw cacao powder. Don't confuse cocao with cocoa. Cacao beans are the source for all chocolate and cocoa products - however it is the raw cacao powder form, which is the pure unadulterated form, meaning it has had no heat applied or any other additives.

Raw Cacao powder contains many rare key nutrients that enhance physical and mental well-being. Raw cacao powder also contains more antioxidants than any other food tested including red wine, green tea and blueberries. Other essential minerals include calcium, zinc, iron, copper, sulfur, potassium, alkaloids, proteins, magnesium, beta-carotene and some neurotransmitters such as dopamine and anandamine (so using raw cacao beans, powders and nibs is what will make you feel that real post chocolate happiness).

So enough ramblings and lets get you non-baking, here is how to make the Raw Organic Chocolate Brownies

Equipment

• Food Processor, sharp knife and chopping board

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups of walnuts, soaked for at least 4 hours and rinsed very well
• 10 pitted dates (use medjool dates for that natural sweetness)
• 3/4 cups raw cacao powder (bought from health food stores)
• 1 ground vanilla bean or 1 tsp vanilla powder/essence
• pinch of salt

Directions

Process the walnuts slightly to break them into smaller pieces. Add the remaining ingredients. Process the mixture, adding very small amounts of water if necessary, until it starts to come together. Do not over-process, as you want small chunks of walnuts to remain. Scoop the mixture into cookie shapes as I have done above pictured, or scoop them into a baking tray and flatten the mixutre, then cut out brownie squares.

Variations: With my brownies above I dipped them in some melted 'loving earth chocolate' (see earlier post) and sprinkled some shredded coconut on top. You can add any thing to the top, maybe strawberries, or goji berries? Or even some crushed hazelnuts for taste?


Enjoy & let me know how you go!x

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