Heart Healthy Recipe – Mother’s Day Vegan Brownie Recipe

Happy Mothers Day! We are wishing you the heart-filling, tummy-filling, love-full day that you deserve.

We believe the best thing you can give is quality time. With so much going on day-to-day the best way to say “I love you and appreciate all you have done” is to take time to be with each other. We found this amazing and heart healthy recipe that you and mom/daughter/son can enjoy making together. It is a bake-free, raw, healthy, and delicious treat to share with all of your loved ones. While the recipe only takes 20 minutes to prepare, we expect a few extra minutes will be spent smudging chocolate on each others’ cheeks, sharing the left overs in the mixing bowl, and laughing over your homemade treats.

This recipe is from the Minimalist Baker who has some great follow-along photos, as well as a cute story of her own. So please check out the source for more about these family-worthy delicacies. 

NO BAKE VEGAN BROWNIES WITH CHOCOLATE GANACHE

PREP TIME
20 mins

COOK TIME
1 min

TOTAL TIME
21 mins
Simple, raw vegan brownies studded with raw walnuts and cacao nibs! A 5-ingredient coconut oil chocolate ganache is optional but recommended for a fudgy, decadent finish. A healthier vegan, gluten free dessert!
Author: Minimalist Baker
Recipe type: Dessert
Cuisine: Vegan, Gluten Free
Serves: 12

INGREDIENTS

BROWNIES
1 cup (93 g) + 1/2 cup (47 g) raw walnuts, divided + more for topping
1 cup (150 g) raw almonds
2 1/2 cups (~425 g / 15 ounces) dates, pitted (if dry, soak in warm water for 10 minutes, then drain)
3/4 cup (60 g) cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder
2 Tbsp cacao nibs + more for topping
1/4 tsp sea salt

GANACHE FROSTING
1/4 cup (59 ml) almond milk
1 cup (~175 g) dairy-free dark chocolate, chopped
2 Tbsp coconut oil (or sub vegan butter), melted
1/4 – 1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/4 tsp sea salt

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Place 1 cup walnuts and almonds in food processor and process until finely ground.
2. Add the cacao powder and sea salt and pulse to combine. Transfer to bowl and set aside.
3. Add the dates to the food processor and process until small bits remain. Remove and set aside.
4. Add nut and cocoa mixture back into food processor and while processing, drop small handfuls of the date pieces down into the food processor or blender spout.
5. Process until a dough consistency is achieved, adding more dates if the mixture does not hold together when squeezed in your hand. You may not use all the dates.
6. Add the brownie mixture to a small parchment lined 8×8 dish and before pressing, add remaining 1/2 cup roughly roughly chopped walnuts and cacao nibs and toss to combine and evenly distribute. Then press down with hands until it is flat and firm. I like laying down a piece of plastic wrap to prevent sticking and get it really flat.
7. Lift parchment paper to remove brownies from dish and use hands to slightly squeeze in the sides to create a smaller square – this will make the brownies slightly thicker and more dense.
8. Transfer back to dish and place in freezer or fridge to chill for 10-15 minutes before cutting into 12 even squares (If adding ganache, slice afterwards!).

FOR THE GANACHE:

1. Add almond milk to a mixing bowl and microwave for 45 seconds or until very warm. Alternatively, heat in a small saucepan until just simmering, then transfer to mixing bowl.
2. Immediately add chocolate to warm milk and loosely cover. Don’t touch for 2 minutes so it can melt.
3. Add salt and stir gently with a wooden spoon to incorporate, then add melted coconut oil and use a whisk to mix. Set in fridge for 10 minutes to thicken.
4. Remove from fridge and add powdered sugar a little at a time to thicken. Whisk again to combine. If it’s still too thin, add another few Tablespoons powdered sugar and beat until light and fluffy.
5. Frost brownies generously with frosting and then top with additional raw walnuts and cacao nibs (optional). Slice into 12 even squares.
6. Store brownies in an airtight container to keep fresh. Will keep for 3-4 days at room temperature, or in the freezer for at least 1 month (though best when fresh).

NOTES
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate for 1 of 12 brownies, generously frosted with ganache.

NUTRITION INFORMATION
Serving size: 1 brownie Calories: 390 Fat: 23g Saturated fat: 7g Carbohydrates: 44g Sugar: 31g Sodium: 90mg Fiber: 8g Protein: 9.4g

About 1 in 12 Canadian adults live with heart disease. That means that about 2.4 million people over the age of 20 are diagnosed and trying to manage their heart health (Canada.ca). Looking for other ways you can boost the heart health of mom, dad, your partner, or someone else you love? Here’s how!