These raw vegan brownies are rich, fudgy and delicious and topped with a seriously decadent raw chocolate topping.
So… growing up I was obsessed with sweets. Like seriously obsessed.
When I was told that heaven was a place you went to after you died where everything was lovely I imagined this to be a place where everything was made out of candy. Like Hansel and Gretel house in the woods style. Except with no evil witch.
And in my version, the trees, clouds, flowers, grass and everything else was made out of candy! You just walked around eating and as you ate it refilled itself so it never ran out. That was my version of heaven.
So now you know why Loving It Vegan has so many desserts!
These raw vegan brownies give baked brownies a serious run for their money. And you don’t even have to put your oven on. What a win.
Of course, if you are looking for baked brownies, then look no further than our fudgy vegan brownies (they’re awesome!).
How To Make Raw Vegan Brownies
You will find full instructions and measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of the post. This is a summary of the process to go along with the process photos.
Brownies:
- The brownies themselves are a simple mix of walnuts, pitted medjool dates and cocoa powder. This recipe makes quite a lot and my food processor is quite small so I split it up into two batches.
- Add half the walnuts, half the dates and half the cocoa powder to the food processor and process. The mix will first become crumbly and will stick to the sides, but then gradually will become sticky and start to clump together into a kind of dough. It needs to be oily and when you grab some of the dough and roll it in your fingers it must stick together.
- Transfer that to a mixing bowl and add the second half of the walnuts, pitted dates and cocoa powder to your food processor and repeat the process. Transfer to your mixing bowl and mix together well.
- Spray an 8 x 8 square dish with non-stick spray and line it with parchment paper so that there is overhang on each side. Press the brownie mix down into the dish and pack it down with the back of a spoon.
Chocolate Topping:
- When the brownie mix is packed down into your dish and smoothed down then prepare your topping. It is a simple mix of melted coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla extract and cocoa powder. Stir or whisk it in a bowl and then pour it out over the top of the brownie base and smooth it down with a spoon.
- Place into the fridge to set.
- When set, lift the whole block of brownies out of the dish using the parchment paper overhang.
- Cut into squares.
- Your raw vegan brownies are ready to serve.
Ingredient Notes
Walnuts – you can use either walnuts or macadamia nuts for the brownies. We regularly make these brownies with macadamias or walnuts or even a mix of the two and they always work perfectly.
Dates – make sure you use soft dates for these. Medjool dates are really great, but you can really use any kind of dates provided they are nice and soft. If your dates are dry and hard then it will be difficult to process them properly in your food processor. They must be pitted first as well (of course).
Cocoa powder – you can use either regular unsweetened cocoa powder or raw cacao powder. If you want them to be ‘truly’ raw then raw cacao powder is going to be best. We have made these with both cocoa powder and cacao powder and they are equally delicious either way.
Coconut oil – is needed for the topping to set, so it can’t be replaced with another oil. If you have a coconut allergy you can just leave off the topping altogether, these brownies are really delicious just as they are.
Maple syrup – can be replaced with a different kind of syrup, agave nectar or date syrup.
Storing and Freezing
Keep your brownies covered in the fridge where they will stay good for 1-2 weeks.
You can also freeze them for up to 3 months. Let them thaw in the fridge before serving.
More Raw Vegan Desserts
- No Bake Vegan Truffles
- Raw Chocolate
- Vegan Cheesecake
- Raw Vegan Pecan Pie
- Vegan Carrot Cake Balls
- Vegan Energy Balls
Did you make this recipe? Be sure to leave a comment and rating below!
Raw Vegan Brownies
Ingredients
Brownies:
- 4 cups Walnuts (400g)
- 2 cups Soft Pitted Medjool Dates (350g) Packed cups
- ½ cup Cocoa Powder (42g)
Chocolate Topping:
- ¼ cup Coconut Oil (60ml) Melted
- ¼ cup Maple Syrup (60ml)
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- ¼ cup Cocoa Powder (21g)
Instructions
- Add half the walnuts, half the dates and half the cocoa powder to the food processor and process. The mix will first become crumbly and will stick to the sides, but then gradually will become sticky and start to clump together into a kind of dough. It needs to be oily and when you grab some of the dough and roll it in your fingers it must stick together.
- Transfer that to a mixing bowl and then add the second half of the walnuts, pitted dates and cocoa powder to your food processor and repeat the process. Transfer to your mixing bowl and mix together well.
- Spray an 8 x 8 square dish with non-stick spray and line it with parchment paper so that there is overhang on each side. Press the brownie mix down into the dish and pack it down with the back of a spoon.
- Melt the coconut oil and then add the maple syrup, vanilla and cocoa powder and stir or whisk together until smooth. Pour it over the brownie base and smooth down evenly.
- Place the dish into the fridge until completely set before slicing.
- Keep them stored in the fridge where they will stay good for at least a week. They are also freezer friendly!
Notes
- Walnuts can be switched for macadamia nuts.
- You can use a different kind of pitted date other than medjool but they must be nice and soft.
- You can use raw cacao powder OR regular cocoa powder in this recipe.
- Maple syrup can be replaced with a different kind of syrup or agave nectar.
Great recipe! I modified the frosting and melted some “Get Back to Human” dark chocolate with a dab of coconut oil and a pinch of salt, topped with walnuts. Tastes just like a cosmic brownie!
Sounds heavenly Tara! Thanks for sharing and for your great review!
Hey Alison,
once again a wonderful recipe!
I made your Salted Caramel Cheesecake lady year it was awesome!
Im a huge Date lover especially fresh soft ones like fresh MEDJOOL and Sukari..would be perfect for your Brownie Date!
Is it possible to toast in oven Nuts before adding to the Base?
For the Chocolate Ganache Topping is it possible to substitute coconut oil with Coconut Cream/Milk?
Many thanks in advance for your help!
Henri 🙂
Hi Henri. Thanks so much. You can roast the nuts yes. As for the coconut pil – it needed for the topping to set, so it can’t be replaced with milk. Coconut oil – is needed for the topping to set, so it can’t be replaced with another oil. If you can’t put in coconut oil, you can just leave off the topping altogether, these brownies are really delicious just as they are.
These look amazing! I was just wondering if they would work with almonds instead of walnuts?
Thanks Katie! I think almonds could work, they’re not quite as fatty as walnuts so I don’t think they would work quite as well. Macadamias is a great swap if that’s something you can do. Or you could do a mix of almonds/macadamias. 🙂
Hola! Can I use normal dates instead of Metjool Dates?
Yes you can!
Hola! Can i use honey instead of maple syrup?
Yes you can.
Great taste!
I melted some dark chocolate in the topping as well.
Thank you.
Awesome! Thanks for sharing Miki!
Sooo good.and the icing with its coconut flavor is a must. Just what my sweet tooth was demanding, and I don’t feel like I ate the wrong thing. Yumm.
Mouthwatering and just so divine!
Can you make this without nuts? What would be a good substitute. Thanks
Hi Jan, not this particular recipe, but you could try this recipe from Raw Manda that uses buckwheat groats instead of nuts. 🙂
Hi,
Thank you very much for the recipe. I’m going to try this and I’m very curious what the French (the vegan life style isn’t very known here) will think!
A little question. Do you think I can freeze them, so I always have something I can offer when guests come unannounced?
Thank you.
Sure, these can be frozen and then thawed when you want to eat them. 🙂
They are delicious. Thank you!
I’ve just made this and it’s setting in the fridge, but you weren’t wrong about the frosting! It’s sooo delicious! Can’t wait to eat it! I will be posting a picture! 🙂
Lovely! Hope you enjoy it! 🙂 Looking forward to the pic!