4 ingredients is all you need to make these Raw Walnut Brownies. They’re gluten-free, vegan, paleo and refined-sugar-free but still taste incredible! Plus they take just 5 minutes to whip up.
This recipe for Raw Walnut Brownies actually came out of another recipe I developed for Avocados from Mexico. It was part of the crust of a no-bake cheesecake I made and even though I could eat like 15 of them at once, I kept finding myself going for the crust first.
So naturally, I had to see how it would taste if the filling was ditched and I froze them into brownies.
Not surprisingly, cacao powder, walnuts, dates and sea salt make for a seriously delicious treat that literally takes 5 mins to make. The only downside being that they take 5 mins to make and therefore dessert has become all-too accessible.
But honestly, I could go for any of these recipes. I’m a total sucker for no-bake because I love anything easy and allows me to spend time with my best friend, Mr. Food Processor.
What? You don’t consider a food appliance to be a best friend? Try any of these recipes and you will understand what I mean.
PrintRaw Walnut Brownies
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 12 brownies 1x
Ingredients
- 2 cups raw walnuts
- 1 cup pitted dates
- 3 tbsp raw cacao powder (cocoa powder works too)
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a food processor and process until mixture comes together into a sticky ball. Do not over-process as the walnuts will break down too much and make the mixture difficult to hold together.
- Line an 8 x 8 inch baking dish with plastic wrap or parchment paper.
- Spread mixture into pan ensuring top is flat.
- Freeze for at least 1 hour.
- Remove from freezer and pan and cut into 12 brownies.
- Store in an airtight container in freezer.*
*these are best directly from the freezer and may get too soft if left out for too long. They still taste delicious though!
RELATED RECIPES:
No Bake Oatmeal Protein Energy Balls
Raw Mini Chocolate Matcha Cheesecakes
No-Bake Peanut Butter Cup Protein Bars
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28 Comments
Martin
March 9, 2017 at 3:58 amWhy do you write cacao powder twice?
It’s like you want to write something else, like cacao nibs maybe?
I did my in vitamix and it didn’t stick together so great, I’ll try to mix the nuts better maybe that will help.
The taste is really good though!
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
March 9, 2017 at 11:59 amHi Martin! The difference is subtle but it’s actually cacAo power vs. cocOa powder. Cacao powder is raw and unprocessed. Either works but raw cacao has many more health benefits. Hope this helps!
Lauren
October 1, 2016 at 12:38 pmGreat recipe, absolutely delicious! My daughter can’t have dates, so I used a 1/3c of pure maple syrup instead (I also tried it with agave), and I still got consistent results! Today I’ll be adding Almonds to it!
Kt
April 24, 2020 at 7:59 pmThanks for the tip. Maple syrup was a hit. Added 1 tsp of coconut oil & a just enough extra cacao to get it back to the original recipes consistency. Hint of coconut w a bit more choc. So perfect! This is such a perfect recipe & as u are able to taste them & tweak as u go a GREAT BASE to use for energy balls, granola bars, possibilities are endless. Use what u have/enjoy. Also immediately whipped up a peanut butter version (powdered)for my little girls!! Treats for all for another stay-at-home wknd!
Victoire
July 3, 2016 at 3:20 pmHi Davida! I really want to try this recipe but I don’t have a food processor…would it be possible to run the ingredients through a blender instead? (It’s also not my blender, so I wouldn’t want to break it…).
I’m also substituting the dates for brown sugar – do you think 1/2 cup would be enough? I also have maple syrup I could use.
Many thanks!
Victoire
Anisah
June 1, 2016 at 11:30 amThese are delicious! I made half the recipe becausee my food processor is a baby and made them in to balls instead. They were sooo good. I made them this morning and they’re already finished and my husband has requested I make them again.
Davida Kugelmass
June 1, 2016 at 12:24 pmaw so happy to hear that! I rolled my last batch into balls too! So yummy!
Lexi
May 31, 2016 at 11:09 pmMaking these this week!!!!
Davida Kugelmass
May 31, 2016 at 11:41 pmYAHOOOOO! Enjoy <3
Chelsea Gloeckner
May 27, 2016 at 10:42 amI have all these ingredients on hand, so I am so glad you posted this recipe! Have you ever tried making these with a different dried fruit than dates? Thanks!
http://www.victae.com
Davida Kugelmass
May 27, 2016 at 12:10 pmI haven’t yet but figs or raisins would likely also work!
Dani @ Dani California Cooks
May 26, 2016 at 2:14 pmI make a very similar brownie with almonds…it’s deadly. Can’t keep them around my apartment!
Davida Kugelmass
May 26, 2016 at 6:13 pmI keep them in the freezer hoping that I’ll forget about them…I never do!
Brittany
May 26, 2016 at 10:48 amAny brownies that take 5 minutes to whip up and require only 4 ingredients sound like perfection to me!! Need these in my life.
Davida Kugelmass
May 26, 2016 at 6:16 pmYes you doooooo but I especially need those ice cream bars!!
Cassie
May 26, 2016 at 10:45 amUsually, raw vegan desserts don’t taste too much like they’re what supposed to replicate, but they taste wonderful regardless! I love how simple these ingredients are, as well as this amazing roundup of recipes! Mmmm, CHOCOLATE.
Davida Kugelmass
May 26, 2016 at 6:17 pmI swear these taste just as good as store-bought brownies 🙂
Heather @Gluten-Free Cat
May 25, 2016 at 5:21 pmI just don’t even know which recipe to start with…they all look so good! Your raw brownies sound like the perfect after work treat.
Davida Kugelmass
May 26, 2016 at 10:01 amI keep them in the freezer for an after EVERY MEAL treat 😉
Marina @ A Dancer's Live-It
May 25, 2016 at 8:01 am4 ingredients?! Yes please!! Amazing roundup Davida, absolutely in LOVE with this recipe and the others! 🙂 No-bake recipes are the best during the summer!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness
May 25, 2016 at 7:56 amI do not eat walnuts nearly enough and these brownies remind me that I REALLY need to change that! I can’t wait to try these babies! Pinned!