No-Bake Mocha Brownies

By Alexandra Courts

We’ve done it! We’ve figured out a delectable and healthy way to satisfy your chocolate cryings!

These no-bake babies are free of any oils, artificial sugars, gluten or animal products. We replaced all of these nasty ingredients with dates, which provide the body with a variety of vitamins and minerals. They’re killer sources of energy, natural sugar and fibre.

Behold:

(Recipe has been adapted from The Minimalist Baker)

Ingredients…

•  2 1/2 cups pitted dates
• 2 cups raw almonds
• 1 cup chopped raw walnuts, pecans, or nut of your choice
• 3/4 cup raw cacao powder
• 3 tbsp unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1 tbsp finely ground organic direct-trade coffee
• 1 tsp organic vanilla extract

Directions…

1. Pulse almonds in food processor until finely ground. 
2. Add raw cacao powder and ground coffee to mixture and continue to combine with food processor. Set mixture aside in separate bowl. 
3. Process dates separately, then add mixture back to food processor and pulse until a dough-like texture is reached. Stir additional nuts, coconut and vanilla extract into batter.
4. Pour batter into a lined square cake pan. Spread evenly.
5. Chill brownies in fridge for 2 hours or freezer for 1 hour. Serve cold.

Enjoy! Makes about 12 brownies.