recipe by Saskia Gregson-Williams

Chocoholics – this one is for you! There are lots of brownie recipes out there, but for me, these win every time. I love the combination of the pecans and walnuts together with the sweet, gooey caramel flavour of medjool dates, pure heaven! Every bite of fudgy, rich chocolate goodness is giving your body tons of great energising nutrients, fibre and proteins. Raw cacao is considered a superfood and is praised in the health world for its abundant antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. These nutrients have been linked to all kinds of wonderful health benefits such as lowering blood pressure, improving digestion and enhancing physical and mental wellbeing. Medjool dates, natures candy, are the sweetest, most delicious, dates and are incredibly energising and loaded with  dietary fibre making them great for digestion. Walnuts and pecans are a wonderful source of nutty protein and omega-3s to help get your skin glowing and hair shining!

This recipe only takes 5 minutes, it’s no fuss, and is a great crowd pleaser; my friends can never believe they’re sugar- and dairy-free. I love to eat them loads of different ways; with my chocolate ganache, with a creamy chocolate-avocado frosting, with a dollop of coconut yoghurt and smashed raspberries or plain and simple how they come! Tell us what how you like to have them… Happy blending! #hipandhealthy

Ingredients:
1/2 cup walnuts
1/2 cup pecans
1 cup medjool dates
1/3 cup cacao

Ganache
4 tbsp coconut oil
1/2 cup cacao
4 tbsp agave
1 /4 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp water

Method: 
For the brownies, pit the dates and add all ingredients to blender. Blend for 2-3 minutes, until a smooth, gooey consistency (you may have to stop to scrape down the blade). Press the mixture into a deep baking tray, and place to one side while you make the ganache.

For the ganache, melt the coconut oil and add all ingredients to a bowl and mix. Coat the brownies with the ganache sauce and place in the fridge to set. Remove and cut into whatever size brownie takes your fancy and serve with smashed raspberries.
For other ways to take this raw brownie and making it even more raw-mazing look below!

Pimp My Brownie: 
– Add 1/2 avocado to the ganache and make it creamy!
– Freeze the ganache until hard and grate chocolate shavings or cut into chocolate chips!
– Go without the sauce and add a large dollop of coconut yoghurt and smashed raspberries