Raw brownie balls are gluten, dairy and sugar free and vegan, simple to make and taste delicious perfect for snacks.
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It was a few weeks before we met any of our neighbours when we moved to our last house.
I was writing about it in a blog post, hit publish and just a few hours later the doorbell rang and behind it stood a very friendly looking lady baring flowers.
'Are you Claire?' she said.
I confirmed and she said 'I'm L your lousy neighbour who hasn't introduced herself yet.'
Can you believe it?
The universe must have read my post.
She was absolutely lovely and handed me a piece of paper with the names of all her family members and their phone numbers and we parted with the hope of catching up for drinks very soon.
I was just a little bit chuffed.
Later in the day I mentioned to Mum that I hadn't heard from the people I'd contacted two weeks ago about a bassinet mattress.
At 9am the next day I got a call from them.
Must remember to put more messages out to the universe.
It's not entirely the same thing but I had been on the lookout for a new healthy snack recipe for a while and came across raw brownie balls.
I kept forgetting to buy dates though.
As luck would have it, what was in my most recent fruit and vege box - you guessed it - dates.
They have all the flavours and essential elements of a brownie, like the crunchy walnuts and rich cocoa without any of the guilt.
Actually cancel that, I don't do food guilt anymore.
Ok so you would still feel rather ill and have downed quite a few calories if you ate all of them but one or two and you're just getting a good dose of healthy fats and some fruit.
Even better than brownies though there's no baking involved and just the food processor to throw in the dishwasher wash up.
I've put 25 minutes in the recipe but really, if you're speedy at ball rolling you could whip up a batch in 15 minutes.
I think they're best eaten straight from the fridge when they're nice and firm but leaving them out makes them a little bit gooey like real brownies.
You could also pat the mixture into a square tin and cut it into squares if you really wanted to fool yourself.
A sprinkling of shredded coconut on top would make for the perfect healthy nibble with your after-meal coffee.
Enjoy!
What about you?
Do you find that when you talk about something not happening, it suddenly happens?
Recipe
Raw brownie balls - vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups walnuts
- Pinch sea salt
- 13-14 large Medjool dates pitted
- ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
Instructions
- Place the walnuts in the bowl of a food processor and process until very fine.
- Add the rest of the ingredients and process until the mixture comes together.
- You may need to add a little water.
- Roll teaspoons of batter into tight balls and refrigerate until serving.
jo says
Hi Claire
could I use any other nuts almond maybe and if i was to use raw cacao powder would it be the same amount?
Claire says
Hi Jo. You could definitely use any nuts you like. As for the cacao powder I'm not 100% as I haven't used it and am not sure of it's strength. Probably best to add a little at a time and taste as you go.
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
I love these and I'm eager to make them but I have to tell you, they look like fresh kangaroo poo, don't they?
LOL
so sorry :) sometimes I should keep my thoughts to myself.
Claire says
Hahaha totally Maureen. I had them in the bar fridge and usually Will opens the fridge to find a new treat and will say something just like that. He didn't this time but I was waiting for it!
The Life of Clare says
I love when the universe responds! Actually I had been thinking about a cot mattress and then found one in Aldi yesterday. Maybe not the same. But I didn't buy it and I should have!
Claire says
That's totally the same although you should have bought it yes. Can't say no to the universe!
Lisa the Gourmet Wog says
Lol, the universe has a funny way of unravelling itself!! Those brownie balls look SO good!! I have a box of Medjool dates sitting in the fridge, what a great way of using them up xx
Claire says
Doesn't it? Crazy universe!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
Hehe that's brilliant! Do you think she read your blog perchance? Wouldn't that be so funny! :D Okay go ahead, ask for something else and see if it comes true!
Claire says
Haha I don't think so unless she's very good on detective work! I'll think about my next request.
Monique says
Claire!! I was just thinking about these delish delights of yours! Guess what I'm making tonight! Yum yum x
Claire says
Glad you liked them Monique! x
The Café Sucre Farine says
I see you've got them all lined up like pretty little soldiers just waiting for me to nibble on them Claire! These look wonderful and are by far the prettiest brownies I've ever met!
Claire says
Haha yes just to make it easy to pop them in your mouth!
Hotly Spiced says
I'm putting it out there that I need a food processor! Then I could make these wonderful raw snacks. It's so lovely that a family has introduced themselves and how wonderful to receive dates just when you needed them xx
Claire says
You totally need a food processor Charlie especially with the teenagers and all their eating requirements.
Kirsty @ The Natural Foodie says
I love raw sweets :) Delish. And your neighbour sounds just lovely Claire!
Claire says
You would love them Kirsty... with cocoa instead of cocoa of course :-)
JJ @ 84thand3rd says
Simply perfect I'd say! Hey I have some things I'd love for you to put out to the universe ;D
Claire says
Send me a list :-)