Raw Black Forest Brownies are a decadent chocolate cherry dessert that is gluten free, paleo and raw vegan. They are naturally sweetened with dates and cherries which creates a smooth and rich brownie filled with crunchy almonds and chewy cherries for added texture.

Raw Black Forest Brownies only contain 6 ingredients and they are really easy to make. They also keep really well in the freezer so you can have them all ready to go when guests come over. For more raw vegan dessert recipes that are super easy to make, check out my cookbook Healthy Dairy Free Desserts.

Cherries

Cherries are a delicious fruit that contains flavonoid and carotenoid phytonutrients that have very strong anti-inflammatory properties. They contain concentrated amounts of polyphenol which is a group of nutrients that have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer health benefits. A diet high in polyphenol has been proven to reduce the risk of heart diseases, degenerative diseases of the nervous system, and several types of cancer. Cherries actually help cure migraines and relieve the pain from arthritis and gout. The antioxidants found in cherries help prevent and repair the damage done by free radicals, keeping you looking young.

Start making the Raw Black Forest Brownies by soaking 1 cup of cherries in water for an hour, this helps soften them so they are easier to process into a smooth batter. After the cherries are soaked, place walnuts in a food processor and process into you have a grainy flour texture. I like to use walnuts as the base for this recipe because they really complement the chocolate and cherry flavour of the Raw Black Forest Brownies. Now add raw cacao and salt to the food processor and process until smooth. While the food processor is running, slowly add the soaked cherries and dates. When the batter is smooth, fold in the cherries and chopped almonds for added texture. Press the batter into a lined 8×8 brownie pan and transfer into the freezer for 2 hours to set the Raw Black Forest Brownies. Once the Raw Black Forest Brownies have set, remove them from the pan and cut into 9 or 12 brownies. You can store them in the freezer or in the fridge if you are serving them the same day.

Raw Black Forest Brownies

(gluten free, paleo, raw vegan)

Soaking time: 1 hour

Prep time: 10 minutes

Chill time: 2 hours

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups of dried cherries
• 2 cups walnuts
• 1 cup raw cacao powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup dates (roughly 4)
• 1/2 almonds, chopped

Directions

1. Soak 1 cup of cherries in water for an hour.
2. Place 2 cups of walnuts in a food processor and process into a granular flour.
3. Add 1 cup of cacao powder and 1/4 tsp of salt to the food processor and process until smooth.
4. While the food processor is running, slowly add 1 cup of soaked cherries and 1/2 cup of dates and process until smooth.
5. Fold in 1/2 cup of cherries and 1/2 cup of raw chopped almonds.
6. Press the brownie batter into lined 8×8 brownie pan and freeze for 2 hours to set the Raw Black Forest Brownies.
7. Remove the Raw Black Forest Brownies from the freezer and cut into 8-12 brownies and serve.

What is your favourite brownie recipe? Leave a comment with tricks, tips and feel free to add the link to your recipe!

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