Fudgy Date Brownies
 
 
Ingredients
  • 2 Cups walnuts
  • 1 Cup roasted and unsalted almonds
  • ½ Cup pecans
  • 1 Cup raw cacao powder (or you could use cocoa powder)*
  • 2 Rounded cups pitted Deglet dates (or Medjool)**
  • Pinch of large crystal salt (I use a generous pinch, but then again I LOVE SALT)
  • 1 Cup of chopped walnuts to add to the top of your brownies
Instructions
  1. Using a food processor blend your dates until they are in small bits.
  2. Remove the dates from the food processor.
  3. Place walnuts, almonds, pecans, cacao (or cocoa powder) into the food processor. Blend until the nuts are in little bits.
  4. With the blender running, slowly drop in bits of your dates. Continue to add the dates slowly. Observe how your mixture changes to a more crumbly texture. You are aiming for a consistency that will clump in your hands when squeezed.
  5. Once the mixture starts to look like it will clump when pinched, turn off and unplug the food processor and test it out. If your mixture is clumping, remove it from the food processor. If it is still breaking apart when you squeeze it together, add more dates. You might not need the entire 2 cups of dates.
  6. Line a pan that is approximately 9"x 9" with wax paper; this will help you when removing the brownies from the pan once they've set.
  7. Transfer your brownies from the food processor to the prepared pan.
  8. Using your hands, evenly spread the mixture out in the pan. Now pour your cup of walnuts evenly over the brownie mixture.
  9. Press down on the nut-covered brownie mixture firmly with your hands or the back of a spoon. Continue pressing until you have created a compact, single-level layer of brownies.
  10. For a quick set, place these in the freezer for an hour or so before eating. Or place in the refrigerator for about four hours before eating.
  11. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.
Notes
*Cocoa powder is raw cacao roasted. Unfortunately, the roasting decreases its nutritional value. If you google raw cacao you will see a long list of health benefits. Personally, I take all of this type of reporting with a grain of salt. What is healthy today is cancer-causing tomorrow and what is cancer-causing today is healthy tomorrow. It is enough to drive you nuts! I give what my body is telling me is healthy much more weight than what the news is. Regardless of which powder you choose, it will taste delicious.
**I have a VERY strong preference for using Deglet dates. The Medjool dates add a sweetness that make these taste less brownie-like and more date-like. But, if you can't find Deglet dates, use the Medjool.
Recipe by at https://www.thescratchartist.com/fudgy-date-brownies/