Dreena’s Nut-Free Frosted Brawnies

Dreena says, “My Frosted Brawnies were such a hit that I created this nut-free version. These brownies aren’t completely ‘raw’ like the original, but they taste just as delicious – and are now safe for school parties!”

Text excerpted from Plant Powered Families, © 2015 by Dreena Burton. Reproduced by permission of BenBella Books. All rights reserved.

Photo © Nicole Axworthy.

{jumi [files/includes/youtube.php] [Q9V_5JNQ8BI]}

Base Ingredients

• 3/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup hemp seeds*
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1 1/2 cups pitted dates
• 1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract or seeds from 1 vanilla bean

*You can find hemp seeds in health food stores or online with Amazon, or you can substitute other seeds like sunflower or sesame, or soft nuts like cashews or walnuts.

Frosting Ingredients

• 1/2 cup coconut butter (or cashew butter)
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 2 Tbsp cocoa powder
• pinch sea salt

Base Directions

1. In a food processor, add the coconut, hemp seeds, and oats, and process until very fine. Add the cocoa powder and sea salt and pulse through. Add the dates and vanilla extract, and process until the mixture comes together, starting to form a ball or sticky enough to hold together when pressed. If it isn’t this sticky, process again or, if dates were very dry, add a few drops of water.
2. Once the mixture is ready, transfer to the prepared pan. Press evenly and firmly into the pan (using a nonstick spatula or a piece of parchment paper).

Frosting Directions

1. In a mini food processor, process the coconut butter and maple syrup briefly, until smooth. Add the cocoa powder and sea salt, and pulse again until just incorporated (see note). Without a mini food processor, you can stir by hand in a bowl, following the same steps.
2. Smooth the frosting over the base, and refrigerate for an hour or more until set. Cut into squares and serve. You can also freeze the squares after cutting and enjoy them out of the freezer!

Note: Avoid overprocessing, as the heat generated brings out the oils of the hemp seeds and coconut, making the brownies a little oily to the touch. They will still taste fine, if it does happen!

Win a copy of Dreena Burton’s Plant Powered Families!

Two of you lucky people can win a copy of Dreena’s book, Plant Powered Families! I’ll draw one winner from Canadian entries, and one from US entries.

*NB: Contest open to residents of the US and Canada only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Amazon Associates Disclosure: Heather Nicholds is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.