Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Coconut Date Brownie Bites (raw, vegan, gluten-free)

Coconut Date Brownie Bites - raw, vegan, gluten-free - These Coconut Date Brownie Bites have lots to boast about - they offer great protein from pecans, as well as an abundance of nutrients in the form of delicious, plump and moist Medjool dates.

We went for a mid-winter hike with our friend/cousin Rose the other day. Afterwards Rose put out a plate of delicious and healthy brownie bites. These tasty goodies just happen to be raw, vegan and gluten-free. First and foremost though, they are delicious. I ate a few that day and I was eager to make them again myself.

I asked Rose to share the recipe asap. I made one small change, adding vanilla extract for a bit of vanilla-tasting goodness. These Coconut Date Brownie Bites have lots to boast about - they offer great protein from pecans, as well as an abundance of nutrients in the form of delicious, plump and moist Medjool dates.


Coconut Date Brownie Bites - raw, vegan, gluten-free - These Coconut Date Brownie Bites have lots to boast about - they offer great protein from pecans, as well as an abundance of nutrients in the form of delicious, plump and moist Medjool dates.

They don't contain sugar - they are sweetened with the aforementioned dates, as well as a small amount of maple syrup. The unsweetened coconut adds to the taste sensation. Best of all, they contain cocoa, which, combined with the dates, makes you think you are eating a rich, chocolaty dessert.

Coconut Date Brownie Bites - raw, vegan, gluten-free - These Coconut Date Brownie Bites have lots to boast about - they offer great protein from pecans, as well as an abundance of nutrients in the form of delicious, plump and moist Medjool dates.

These brownie bites are quick and simple to make too. With the help of your food processor they are ready in just minutes. Throw all the ingredients in, process for a minute or so until the dough comes together, as pictured above, and then roll them into 1-inch balls. This mixture is no-fuss - it doesn't stick to your hands and it rolls beautifully.


Put out a plate of these brownie bites for your guests on New Year's Eve. Make up a batch for your health-conscious loved ones on Valentine's Day. Store a bunch of brownie bites in the freezer for whenever a chocolate craving hits. Have one or two after you go to the gym. Pop a couple of brownie bites in a small container for a mid-morning snack at work.


You get the picture - these wee brownie bites are a nourishing snack or dessert anytime you need one! I rolled a few in coconut or cocoa powder to make them all perty-like.


As a fresh new year reaches out to embrace us with all its possibilities, I know that many of you, like me, are thinking of improving your diets. These Coconut Date Brownie Bites could be just the snack you need to help you avoid reaching for sugary sweets.

Happy New Year lovely people! What snacks will you enjoy on New Year's Eve?


Coconut Date Brownie Bites (raw vegan)



by Joann MacDonald
Keywords: vegan soy-free gluten-free ball
Ingredients (30 1-inch bites)
  • 1 cup of pecan halves
  • 1 cup (packed tight) of pitted Medjool dates
  • 5 Tbsp cocoa powder
  • 2 Tbsp maple syrup
  • 4 Tbsp unsweetened shredded (fine) coconut
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
Instructions

Add all ingredients to a food processor and process for 1 minute or so, until the pecan bits are hardly noticeable and the mixture forms a dough-like ball.

Remove "dough" from food processor and roll small spoonfuls by hand into 1-inch balls.

Serve as is or roll in coconut or cocoa powder for a festive look.

Place any leftover bites in a cookie tin or plastic storage container lined with wax paper. Freeze.

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Linking up to Casual Friday.

35 comments:

  1. Once again another yummy looking recipe, love your picture taking too.

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  2. Love the cocoa powder and coconut coatings! Will have to do the same❤️ They look so festive.

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    1. Aww thank you! The coconut ones are my faves!

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  3. Hi Joanne - these look soooooo good! If I make them ahead, should I keep them in the frige? How long do you think they can stay for?

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    1. Thanks Maggie! Yes I would keep them in the fridge. After 3 days if there are any left, move them to the freezer. They defrost really quickly. I eat them right out of the freezer actually. ;)

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  4. I just purchased some Medjool dates and like you say, with Valentine's Day coming up, this looks like a great idea.
    jan

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  5. Even the name of this recipe sounds delicious! I've yet to use dates in a recipe. I think because most of them need a food processor or a really good blender. When I get those I definitely have a list of goodies I need to make!

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    1. Thank you! I understand. My food processor was broken and I didn't get a new one for a few months and I discovered many recipes I wanted to make but couldn't. :(

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  6. I love this easy and yummy recipe.

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  7. Those look delicious! It's been years since I've made them, I should try this recipe.

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  8. I think I have had a store-bought item very similar to this although they had an almond in the center. I`m pretty sure these would be addictive!
    MPaula

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    1. I love the idea of putting an almond in the centre! Yes, they are indeed addictive. ;)

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  9. These look yummy and sounds like they would be easy to make !

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    1. Definitely easy to make! That's the best part...okay besides the chocolaty sensation. ;)

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  10. I'm definitely making these! They sound delicious!

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    1. I'd love to hear how it goes for you Victoria. :)

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  11. These would make for the perfect healthy afternoon snack at work! Yum!!!

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  12. I love that this is a variety of treats! Sometimes I make a recipe and get tired of it before I'm even done with it!

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  13. They look perfect for portable winter snacks :)

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  14. These would be perfect for my sister who is gf and vegan!

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  15. Bailey Dexter I make ones very close to these and everyone loves them. I am going to try this one next time I make them. Thanks for the recipe!

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  16. These came out wonderful, and I love the ingredients. I like to make no-bake energy bars, every time I buy dates I love them so much I eat them before I can make the recipe!!!

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  17. Wow these look incredibly delicious! I like how you added the vanilla, that would enhance the flavors!

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  18. These brownie bites certainly look great. I'd love to try them! I've never tried making anything with dates before.

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  19. these look really good - thanks for sharing

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  20. I used to love dates, but now not so much I guess the taste is to bitter for me, but with brownies maybe. I have to give this a try!

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  21. These look amazing, I suspect if I made them they would disappear very quickly. Do these freeze well? Just a thought to make them last more than 5 minutes around here.

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    1. I put them in the freezer RIGHT AWAY after I make them. Keeps me from eating too many...kind of - they defrost pretty quickly. ;)

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  22. Those looks absolutely amazing and would be perfect for Valentine's day! I may roll mine in some roasted crushed almonds.

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