Description
Irresistible no-bake brownie bars emerge as a quick chocolate delight for dessert enthusiasts. Rich cocoa and nutty textures blend seamlessly, promising sweet satisfaction without oven time. Chocolate lovers will devour these simple, indulgent treats.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups (360 ml) Medjool dates (softened if needed)
- 1 cup (240 ml) walnuts or almonds (raw)
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) cocoa powder (unsweetened)
- ¼ cup (60 ml) almond butter (or peanut butter)
- 1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) salt
- ¼ cup (60 ml) chocolate chips (mini, optional)
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) dark chocolate (melted)
- Chopped nuts or shredded coconut (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prep Ingredients: Hydrate dates in warm water if needed, drain thoroughly, and pat dry with a kitchen towel.
- Process Nuts: Pulse walnuts or almonds in a food processor until finely ground, avoiding over-processing into a paste.
- Create Dough: Blend softened dates, cocoa powder, almond butter, vanilla extract, and salt in the food processor until a cohesive mixture forms. Add minimal water if the dough seems dry.
- Enhance Texture: Fold mini chocolate chips into the dough manually for even distribution and added richness.
- Prepare Pan: Line an 8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, allowing slight overhang. Spread and compress the mixture evenly using hands or a silicone spatula.
- Finishing Touches: Optionally drizzle melted chocolate over the surface and sprinkle with chopped nuts or coconut shavings for an elegant presentation.
- Chill and Set: Refrigerate the pan for approximately one hour to firm up the bars and achieve the perfect consistency.
- Serve and Store: Remove bars from the pan using parchment paper edges, slice into uniform rectangles, and enjoy. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer.
Notes
- Hydrate Dates Carefully: Ensure dates are soft but not waterlogged by briefly soaking and thoroughly drying to maintain the perfect texture and prevent excess moisture.
- Process Nuts Gently: Pulse nuts slowly to achieve a fine, sandy consistency without creating a dense, oily paste that could compromise the bar’s structural integrity.
- Control Moisture Levels: Add water sparingly during mixing, just enough to bind ingredients without making the dough too wet or losing its rich, compact structure.
- Customize Dietary Needs: Swap nuts for seeds like sunflower or pumpkin to create nut-free versions, or use vegan chocolate chips for plant-based alternatives without sacrificing flavor intensity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 11
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 40 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg