Raw Vegan Brownie

Are you ready for the dessert recipe for Raw Foodie Beginners?  The Raw Vegan Brownie is super simple and super delicious. Sure to win over any doubter.

Ingredients

• 1 cup walnuts (or almonds, pecans, cashews)
• 1 cup pitted dates
• 1/4 cup raw cacao powder
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (optional)

other optional ideas: shredded coconut, honey/maple syrup/agave, salt.

In a food processor, process nuts until small and crumbly. Add dates and process again until mixture sticks together.  Add remaining ingredients and process until a nice crumbly/sticky mixture forms.  Press into a pan.  Put in refrigerator to chill.  Cut and serve. 

Raw, Vegan Macaroons

These taste so good despite being good for you! They have remarkably little sugar, but taste very sweet.  Enjoy as a desert, or treat them as an energy ball!

Ingredients

• 1+ cups of shredded coconut
• 1/4 cup of coconut oil or coconut butter or cacao butter*
• 1/8 cup of peanut/almond butter
• 5 T raw cacao powder
• 2 T maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

 *All three work, but you may want to experiment with which you like best.  I like coconut butter the best, but it is expensive.  As is cacao butter, which is the most decadent.  As a result, I typically just use coconut oil.  You can also use some of all three.  Coconut oil is the most common, but doesn't hold together as well, which is why I add the nut butter.  If you use coconut butter, you can probably get away without the other nut butter, but I also happen to like the taste and added protein. Your choice! Make multiple different batches and experiment!

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together in a food processor until it starts to stick together.  Form into balls, or any fun shape you desire, and keep in the fridge.  Relish in yummy goodness!