Chocolate fudge brownies
A few weeks ago I was fortunate enough to visit an amazing Macadamia nut farm in Byron Bay which was the inspiration for these very yum chocolate fudge brownies. Made from fresh dates, raw cacao, macadamias and almonds these brownies take a few minutes to make and you don’t need an oven. Dates give a lovely natural sweetness that replace traditional cane sugar. They are also high in minerals, potassium, chromium, maganesium and iron. Raw Cacao ( cocoa powder) is high in magnesium and iron and contains more antioxidants than red wine or green tea. Macadamia nuts and almonds are a great source of monounsaturated fats that can help to lower cholesterol because they replace traditional butter that is used in most brownie recipes.
1 cup walnuts
1 cup almonds
1 cup (10 – 12) fresh soft mejool dates, pitted
2 tsp vanilla extract
¼ cup good quality raw cocoa powder or carob
sea salt
Caramel frosting (optional)
½ cup macadamia nut butter
½ cup soft meejool dates
1 tsp vanilla extract + a pinch of sea salt
To make the brownie - Combine nuts into a food processor until roughly chopped. Add the dates, vanilla and cocoa powder and sea salt. Process again until combined. If the mix is a little dry, add a touch of water or orange juice (2 – 4 tablespoons) then process again. The brownie should come together when pressed. Press into a small square baking tin lined with grease proof paper.
To make the topping combine macadamia nut butter and the dates, vanilla and a little sea salt if using which will enhance the flavor of the caramel and chocolate. Process until combined. Spoon over the brownie then allow to set in the fridge for 1 hour. Cut into small portions and enjoy.
Nutrition without caramel frosting: Serves 12
Protein: 4.3 g
carbs: 3.7 g
Total fat: 14 g
Saturated: 1 g
kilojoules: 655
Calories: 157
Nutrition with frosting serves 12:
Protein: 4.8 g
Carbs: 5.4 g
Total Fat: 18.8 g
saturated: 1.6 g
kilojoules: 885
Calories: 207
oh wow, those look and sound amazing! Thanks for posting!
Hi Teresa,
These look awsome, but can I substitute something else for the nuts? Im looking for GF DF lunchbox ideas, but we are in a nut-free school.
Thanks
Hi Alison
Yes you can replace the nuts with rolled oats they’ll work very well ! TX
Hi Teresa,
Can you use dried dates instead of fresh?
Thanks x
Use FRESH dates Alana ! you need the lovely soft moist texture of the dates to help bind the rest of the ingredients. it’s worth it..
Hi Teresa.
Do you use raw or roasted nuts in your recipes and especially the macadamian in the butter recipes?
thanks
Robyn
Raw nuts mostly
Hi Teresa,
I am working my way through your recipes and loving them! Just wondering where I can get fresh dates from? I was desperate to try this recipe, but I could only find dried dates so I made it anyway and added some orange juice to help stick it together. It turned out pretty delicious, but probably not as fudgy as it would with the fresh dates I am guessing.
Cheers
Melissa
you will find fresh dates in all supermarkets and grocery stores in the refrigerated section where you find all the fresh fruit. you’ll normally find a big box full next to the berries and leafy greens. Let me know how you go – they should be lovely and moist.
Thanks Teresa- of course that’s where they are (I’m so dim sometimes!). Anyway tried again with fresh dates and they were so much yummier.
Love the flavour of these but mine did not bind?… The mixture stayed more like crumble which is still yummy but awkward to eat. I did not over-process because I thought I would lose the pieces of nuts (ie they would be ground). Is that why?
Hi Leda, check the instructions in the recipe…add a touch of water or orange juice if the mix is a little crumbly…..about 2 – 4 tablespoons should be great.
Hi Teresa
I tried making these brownies today and they were DELICIOUS. However, the base was crumbly i.e. even when set it seemed there was not enough of “something” to hold it all together. Is there a liquid ingredient missing from the base?
Also, I ran out of enough dates for the frosting so I used soft prunes instead and this worked really well too
Hi Susan, if the base is a little crumbly, just add a little water say 2 – 4 tablespoons or a little orange juice, pulse again in the food processor and the mix should hold together when pressed.
Hi,
These sound great. But am wondering where to get raw cocoa and macadamia nut butter?
Thanks
You can just use a good quality cocoa powder from a supermarket or health food store if you can’t find a raw version, but most health food stores should have it. I make my own macadamia nut butter in my vitamix, however you can buy it now from many health food stores these days. The brownies are great with or without the fudge topping…:) x
Hello Teresa,
this looks amazing.. I couldn’t wait to find fresh dates so i soaked mine for a few hours before processing. I also couldn’t find macadamia nut butter, so am doing without the topping… but i believe these will be an absolute hit with my boys..
Melanie
Hi Melnanie – Yes I agree also very yummy without the topping. Fresh dates are better
x
Hi Teresa
Had a delicious lunch in your cafe today, and some of your amazing brownies to take away. Am I mistaken or did I see that you use coconut flour in the brownies in the cafe?. Or were these as per the above recipe?.
cheers, Vanessa
Hey Vanessa – The ones in the cafe are yummy and yes I use coconut flour in them. We also sometimes do a yum RAW version….Glad you loved your lunch, very proud to have a good team of Chefs working for me.
x
Hi Teresa, I made this lovely brownie – I noticed after that it was not linked under low gi, would you describe it as low gi? Could you tell me how many the recipe should make?
This is definately low GI…will amend link now…..thanks for noticing…xx
Oh my goodness,these prove the terms guilt free,delicious and treat
can all be combined!! THANKYOU!! I rolled them into balls with a toothpick in them,for a kiddie afternoon tea.
Just stumbled across your website! you are amazing! i love your site… tried the date truffle…love it over chocolate ones
Made these for the first time last night – loved them! How long will they keep in the fridge? And can they be frozen?
Easy 2 weeks. ! wrap them well ….If you want to freeze you can but fridge is best.
Hi Teresa,
Was at Healthy Chef today (my husband also loves it, was his choice to go….yes!). I had one of your brownies;-) I noticed you said that you use coconut flour in the store ones. Would it be similar recipe to above? I just found out i have to be off almonds for a while, but i am also gluten free, so makes it really hard. I have tried to cook a few times with coconut flour but it was a total flop ha! So i am not sure what I do wrong
Thanks Teresa
Hey Amanda – yep I designed the ones in my cafe with coconut flour about 6 years ago now..they are great, my fav actually, very rich, but haven’t posted the recipe yet. I will do soon. The healthy chef sign and menu will be coming down soon at Avalon…as I am no longer part of that business. We are expanding to a larger production facility. Thanks so much for your support. Really appreciate it. xx
Congratulations Teresa! You are the best of the best. I love that you don’t just do the chef thing but you really care about people’s health & create food to help us and nourish our bodies! It’s sad the healthy chef won’t be that anymore. Look forward to that recipe, it’s hard to choose my favorite, I love it all! Blessings for your new adventure x
Hi Teresa,
Very yummy! Just a suggestion- I put two teaspoons of raw Cacoa powder in the topping mixture. This makes it more visually appealing, tastes good and goes with the chocolate theme.
Sandra