Simple no bake brownies that are creamy as fudge, nutritious with walnuts and magnesium-rich chocolate, plus a secret ingredient that makes the chocolate flavor go very very deep. Vegan, gluten-free, refined-sugar-free, dairy-free and high in protein and fiber.
Healthy No-Bake Brownies
These no bake brownies are no bake, and soo chocolate-y thanks to the addition of a special chocolate-enhancing ingredient – cold coffee!
Yes, I’m sure you’ve heard that the addition of a teaspoon of cold coffee enhances the chocolate flavor and, no, you won’t taste coffee, for those who don’t care for the flavor. And the small amount won’t add much caffeine either, or you could also use decaf.
If you are really interested in a stronger coffee flavored brownie, try my baked mocha brownie recipe here.
Nutrition in No Bake Brownies
The nutrition of these brownies starts with walnuts. Fresh unsalted walnuts. Nutritional doctors recommend everyone eat about 7 walnuts a day for the antioxidants alone. Not only do walnuts add a boat-load of antioxidants to these brownies, but also good fats and essential fatty acid omega-3. They also provide iron, selenium, calcium, zinc, vitamin E and some B vitamins.
Cacao, which is simply unprocessed true chocolate in powder form, also add nutrition including mood-boosting magnesium. And the dates add zinc and lots of healthy fiber. I even added a touch of cinnamon to help balance blood sugar.
If we are going to have a rich chocolate bite, we might as well make sure it contributes to our nutritional intake of the day, right?
How to Make No Bake Brownies
Line a loaf pan with parchment paper.
Make up the date paste, blend with all ingredients. The date paste here is a bit dryer then normal to keep the brownies from becoming over saturated.
Press into a parchment-lined loaf pan and refrigerate for one hour before frosting. To allow for clean cut brownies, freeze for 3 hours, slice, and store refrigerated.
Make These No Bake Brownies Nut Free
Want to make it nut free? Swap the walnuts fora mix of raw pumpkin and sunflower seeds. The brownies will be a bit dryer but nut free!
How to Serve No Bake Brownies
These brownies are wonderful as is, but adding frosting takes them to the next level. Here are two easy ways to add a frosting layer:
1. Just melt chocolate chips in a microwave at 60 seconds and pour it on! My favorite brand for allergy-free and clean ingredients is Enjoy Life, grab them on Amazon here..
2. My next favorite brownie frosting is a simple ganache. Just heat up 1/4 cup full fat coconut milk, and pour it on 1/3 cup of chocolate chips. Stir until melted and pour the glorious ganache on your brownies.
Or, don’t forget ice cream. Serve a brownie with a scoop of ice cream or even whipped cream. Enjoy!
Try More Vegan Brownies Here
Sweet Potato Brownies
Vegan Gluten Free Brownies (buckwheat)
No Bake Fudge Brownies
Cake Like Brownies
Pumpkin Brownies
Brownie Bites
Mocha Brownies
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No-Bake Brownies
Ingredients
No Bake Brownies
- 1 cup date paste (blend up 10 soaked and pitted Medjool dates + 1/4 cup water)
- 1 cup walnuts
- 1/4 cup cacao powder
- 1 tbsp brewed coffee
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- pinch of salt
Smooth Fudge Icing
- 1/4 cup full fat coconut milk
- 1/3 cup chocolate chips
Useful Equipment
Instructions
Prep
- Soak raw medjool dates in water, 1 hour to overnight depending on their softness. Line an 8-inch by 4-inch pan with parchment paper.
To make the brownies:
- Make the date paste. To do this, rinse the soaked dates, pit them and blend them in a high speed blender, along with the water. You want a very smooth paste. Try not to add more water, but if you need to, add it in 1 tbsp increments.
- To the blended date paste, add in the walnuts and cacao powder - blend again until smooth. Then add in the coffee and cinnamon and salt. Blend again until smooth.
- Then, press the mixture into an even layer in the pan and refrigerate for one hour before slicing or frosting if you want to add that layer.
To make frosting:
- Warm the coconut milk in a pot. Add the chocolate chips to a bowl, and pour the warmed milk on top and stir until all chips are melted. If the chips aren't melted, microwave in 15 second increments and stir again until all chips melt.Pour frosting on to chilled brownies. Set in the refrigerator until frosting sets before cutting with a hot knife (I dip a knife into boiling water, wipe it dry and cut the brownies)Slice into 8 squares. If you store in the freezer, let them thaw 10 minutes before eating.
Nutrition
Dee Dine is founder of Green Smoothie Gourmet, a plant based recipe blog, and author of the recent cookbook, Crazy Healthy with 4 Ingredients . On this blog you’ll find incredibly easy recipes with hidden veggies for anyone wanting to eat healthier, regardless of diet. Dee has graduate degrees in sciences and journalism. More about Dee Dine here.
Edgar
Looks absolutely amazing Dee, I’ll be definitely making these and using chai tea instead of coffee! ❤️
Dee
Oh what a great swap idea Edgar! Glad you like the recipe! Dee xx
Nisha
These fudgy brownies look heavenly, Dee! I know they must be super creamy and indulgent because you used coconut oil (my favorite baking ingredient)!
Dee
Nisha, I agree, an amazing ingredient! Dee xx
Ela
OMG Dee!! You are leaving me speechless. These brownies look to die for! Seriously, they look so fudgy and chocolatey, I want to eat the whole batch. Adding coffee to brownies is probably the best idea ever! Wonderful photos my dear 🙂
Dee
Aww thank you Ela! Yes, coffee does enhance chocolate, and doesn’t add caffeine so it’s a win-win. And thank you for your kind words! Dee xx
Nadia
Looks delicious and so chocolaty Dee! Love that you added coffee to complement the richness of the chocolate 😀 Yummy!!!
Dee
So glad you like the idea of coffee, Thank you! Dee xx