Raw Brownies with Date Frosting

8 x 8 pan, about 25 small squares

Note: I jump back and forth between brownies and frosting

1. Soak in hot water (You can skip this step if your dates are sticky and not dried out.)

• 1 c. dates for brownies

2. Put in microwave safe measuring cup

• 16 dates for frosting
• 1/2 c. cashew milk

3. Microwave about 1-2 minutes till hot, then let sit while you prepare brownies.

4. Process to fine meal in food process

• 1.5 c. walnuts

5. Then drain water from dates in step 1 and put in food process with 

• 1/2 c. prunes (can also just use dates.)

6. Process till smooth, then add back ground walnuts and mix until combined.

7. Press into 8x8 pan.

8. Process dates and milk from step 2 until smooth. Then add back to measuring cup and microwave until hot for 1-2 minutes to help thicken mixture.

9. Spread on top of brownies. Then fridge awhile before cutting into squares.

Black Bean Chocolate Pudding

Modified from: https://minimalistbaker.com/vegan-chocolate-protein-pudding-two-ways/ to use a full can of black beans.

4 servings

1. Drain and rinse

• one 15 oz can of black beans (1 3/4 c.)

2. Then add to food processor along with

• 7 T. unsweetened cashew milk
• 7 T. unsweetened cocoa powder
• 4 T. maple syrup
• 4 pitted dates
• pinch salt (I usually forget this.)
• 2 t. vanilla extract
• 2 T. melted coconut oil

3. Process until smooth. Scrape down sides as needed.

4. Pour into jars and fridge.*

*There will be bean bits in the pudding. If that bothers you, strain them out with a fine mesh strainer.

Fig Bars

Modified from: https://minimalistbaker.com/healthy-fig-newtons-gf/

8 x 8 pan with straight sides (about 25 squares)

1. Cut stems off figs and soak in hot water

• 8 oz dried figs
• 10 dates

2. In separate cup soak in hot water

• 1 c. dates

3. Process to fine meal in food processor, then turn out into large bowl

• 1/4 c. oatmeal
• 1 c. almonds
• 1 c. pecans

4. Drain off water from one cup of hot dates from step 2 and process in food processor until smooth. Then add to ground meal from step 3 and mix with hands until combined.

5. Put about 16" long plastic wrap extended over sides of 8x8 pan. Press half of meal from step 4 until flat and smooth. Pick out of pan with plastic wrap and set aside. This is the top of the bar.

6. Press the other half of the meal from step 4 directly into the 8x8 pan. This is the bottom of the bar.

7. Drain off and reserve water from figs and dates from step 1. Put in food processor along with

• 1/4 t. cinnamon
• Might need to add some of the reserved water from step 1 to make a smooth paste.

8. Process until it forms a smooth paste. This is the middle layer. Smooth on top of bottom layer in 8x8 pan.

9. Tricky part. Carefully turn pan upside down over top layer. Then holding onto plastic and sides of pan, turn pan upright so that top layer now rests on middle layer. Press down. Put in fridge for awhile before cutting into squares.

Note: Can substitute dried apricots and possibly other dried fruits for middle layer.