Easy Vegan Brownies

Ingredients

• ​​2 cups pitted dates, 
• 1/4 cup warm water
• 1/2 cup almond or peanut butter
• 2tbs coconut oil
• 1/3 cup cacao or unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/3 cup vegan chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup crushed walnuts
• Food processor
• Parchment paper
• Baking dish

Intro

I cannot lie, I have a dirty sweet tooth.  I try to be as good about it as I can by using all the best ingredients, natural sugars, organic wherever possible & try to keep the quantity down to a small daily little treat. 

Luckily everything I need is right here at Zero Waste Bali. 

So here it is, if you want to be bad, but kinda be good at the same time, and you have a thing for something naughty.. This is an easy quick treat for you.  

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to hot! Around 350 degrees F (176 C) 
2. Line a standard loaf pan (or similar size pan) with parchment paper. Set aside.
3. In a food processor blend the dates with 1 tablespoon of water.  Add more water if the dates are not blending into a nice soft mush.  Once blended, scrape down sides as needed and add a little more water and blend.
4. Add the nut butter, coconut oil and cacao powder into the food processor and blend until a sticky thick batter forms. 
5. FInally, add and pulse the chocolate chips and walnuts until mixed.
6. Transfer the batter into a pan lined with parchment paper, spread evenly. 
7. Bake for 15 minutes in the center of the oven. Only the edges will slightly dry, this is correct!
8. Remove from the oven and leave for 10 minutes before removing it from the pan. Tip: The longer you can leave them to  cool, the firmer they will become.

I love these as soon as they are ready with some coconut cream on top (or vanilla ice cream!).  Also good as a cold snack from the fridge. 

Note: You can leave leftovers for 5-6 days in the refrigerator or up to 1 month in the freezer. They only take about 10 minutes to thaw in Bali heat!