Maria’s Delicious Date Brownies!

I went to Johnson and Wales for an associate's degree in baking and pastry (like many students attending JWU!), and have used this education to create dairy-free, refined sugar-free, gluten-free, and predominantly vegan desserts. I know what you must be thinking, Date Brownies? How inconceivable! Trust me when I say I also like to keep my fruit and my sweet treats separated from each other. We are living in a world where the majority of our food is overly processed; that is truly what's inconceivable! But trust me, this date brownie recipe makes me feel better about inhaling copious amounts of sweets, it helps with bloating, and feeling good about what I consume to limit the amount of preservative food I allow in my body.

*This recipe does contain nuts. If you want to substitute nut butters, use the following options:

• Eggs
• Apple sauce
• Banana
• Milk

Ingredients:

• 5-6 Pitted Medjool Dates
• Boil in hot water until soft.
• 2 tbs flaxseed Meal
• ½ cup almond butter
• ⅓ cup honey
• ¼ cup plant-based milk/ whole milk/ water (*Dealer's Choice)

Method of Preparation:

Blend in a food processor or blender until smooth and a thick consistency.

½ cup dark Chocolate Chips

1 tbsp of honey

Melt using the preferred method.

¼ cup cocoa Powder

½ tsp salt

¼ tsp baking Soda

1. Stir into the melted mixture above.
2. Add inclusions to create your own unique desired result (white/ dark chocolate chips, walnuts, raisins, potato chips), whatever sounds good to you!
3. Combine both mixtures in a large bowl until fully combined.
4. Put into a parchment-lined pan.
5. Bake at 375°F for 15-20 minutes.
6. When done, the brownies should have a crust formed on top, and shouldn’t be soft or gooey to the touch.
7. For best results, let it sit in the fridge overnight for fudgey, thick brownies of heavenly delight!

*Dealer's Choice - If the mixture is too much liquid, incorporate more cocoa powder or flour of your choice.

*If the brownies are too dense, incorporate a small tablespoon of water or milk.