Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies

I am going to keep this post simple, short, and sweet. I am currently working on a vegan children's book, and it's taking up most of my free time. I had to pause and take a break and post a recipe though. When my daughter and I were at Whole Foods the other day trying the TTLA sandwich made famous by Tabitha Brown, we looked for vegan brownies, and I ended up deciding to make my own. I am so glad I did. These vegan brownies are the truth!

What holds the recipe together and gives the brownies that moist, chewy, gooeyness? Pitted dates, of course! Dates are a great source of vitamins and minerals, and they are low in calories and rich in fiber. I also use them in my peanut butter chocolate energy bites recipe.

This is a fun, kid-friendly recipe filled that is literally "hands-on" and easy to make.

Rich, decadent, gooey, nutty, chocolatey, and only seven ingredients to make. 

Author: The Sensible Vegan
Recipe Type: Dessert
Cuisine: Vegan
Serving: 16

Ingredients

• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 1.5 cup moist pitted dates
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tbsp dark chocolate baking chunks
• 1/4 tsp sea salt 

​     ICING (optional):

• 1 cup dark chocolate baking chunks
• 1 tbsp creamy natural peanut butter
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

• Place walnuts, cocoa powder, baking chunks, and sea salt into food processor and pulse to combine thoroughly. Remove from processor and set aside.
• Add dates to processor and pulse.
• Slowly add walnut and cocoa mixture to the date mixture and pulse until it is all completely blended to a dough like consistency.
• Press mixture into an 8in. x 8in. parchment lined baking dish. (I sprinkled a few extra walnuts atop the mixture before pressing it into the baking dish.)
• Refrigerate 10-15 min. 

​          Prepare the Icing (optional):

• Melt dark chocolate baking chunks in microwave at 30 sec. intervals or double broiler.
• Stir in tablespoon of peanut butter until evenly combined.
• Refrigerate 10-15 min. to thicken.
• Remove from refrigerator and whisk in powdered sugar.
• Spoon icing atop brownies and spread to evenly.
• Refrigerate 10 min.
• Cut brownies evenly into squares, and store remaining portion in a sealed container in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Information
Serving size: 1 brownie  Calories: 139  Fat: 7.6g  Saturated Fat: 1.8g 
Carbohydrates: 21.6g   Sugar: 13g   Sodium: 39.4mg  Fiber: 4g   Protein: 3g