Friday, August 09, 2013

Healthy Fudgy Brownie Bites (Grain Free, Refined Sugar Free, Paleo)

Healthy Fudgy Brownie Bites 8-9-13

Yay for another perfectly simple and deliciously chocolaty treat that is also healthy, grain free, refined sugar free and did I mention so simple to make.  They are also no-bake treats.  I’m loving these kinds of things.  Plus when I make a batch and I’m the only one here who will eat them, they last me days and days.

I just found these Healthy Fudgy Brownie Bites at Averie Cooks this morning and whipped some up.  They have raw cashews in them and I bought a big bag of them from the bulk bin at the grocery store a couple days ago. 

Put cashews and cocoa powder in a food processor.  Pulse (carefully, it leaves a nice dusting of cocoa powder all over) until the mixture is coarse ground.  Chop the dates—I always rough chop them because I have learned that even though something says “pitted”, there is always a surprise pit left in one or two and the food processor doesn’t like that. ;)  (Found one today!)  Add the dates to the food processor and pulse until everything is coarsely chopped.  Add the vanilla and a tablespoon of honey.  Pulse some more, then add more honey if it is not all starting to stick together.  I ended up using three tablespoons of honey.  Roll them into balls about an inch in diameter.  I then ground some cashews in my small food processor just until they were a fine powder and rolled half the balls in the ground cashews.  Averie rolled hers in colorful sprinkles, which would be fun, but since I didn’t want any added sugar, I didn’t do that.

Fudgy Brownie Balls ready to roll

Here’s the raw dough, ready to roll.  It was a perfect consistency to just pinch off amounts and roll them into balls.  I got 16 of them, plus the little bit I ate before they were finished being rolled, so maybe even 17. ;)

For anyone (like me) who wants to know, these are gluten free, grain free, soy free, refined sugar free, Paleo and could be vegan if you use agave nectar or maple syrup instead of honey.  Did I mention they are really good?

Healthy Fudgy Brownie Bites (Paleo, Refined Sugar Free) 8-9-13

Healthy Fudgy Brownie Bites (Grain Free, Paleo, Refined Sugar Free), adapted by Katrina, Baking and Boys! from Averie Cooks

2/3 cup raw cashews plus 1/4 cup raw cashews (divided use)

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

pinch of sea salt

1 cup pitted dates, roughly chopped

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

3-4 tablespoons raw honey (or agave nectar or maple syrup)

In a food processor, add the 2/3 cup of cashews and the cocoa powder, pulse until coarsely ground.  Add the chopped dates and pinch of salt.  Pulse until all is coarsely chopped.  Add the vanilla and one tablespoon of the raw honey.  Continue pulsing until a dough begins to form.  Add another tablespoon of honey and pulse more.  Add another tablespoon of honey and continue pulsing until it all begins to stick together and forms a ball of dough.  Roll about one inch balls of dough and put them on a wax paper lined plate or baking sheet.  Optional, grind 1/4 cup of cashews just until they are finely ground.  Roll some or all of the brownie bites in the ground cashews.  Store in the refrigerator.  Makes 16.

Healthy Fudgy Brownie Bites crosscut

You know what I think I kind of like about these?  They have just a hint of taste and chewiness that reminds me of Tootsie Rolls.  There are definitely some candies I miss and Tootsie Rolls (my homemade recipe here) are one that I love.  These are similar with just a little nuttiness.   Happy me!

5 comments:

Averie @ Averie Cooks said...

Thanks for trying my recipe and so glad you liked them! They turned out beautifully!

Kristin @ Dizzy Busy and Hungry! said...

These look so moist and delicious! I just have to try them! Pinning this!

Unknown said...

These look deliciously chocolaty and chewy. You mentioned that you're the only one in your family who eats them. Wondering if they've even given them a chance or if they're just kind and saving them all for you?

Katrina said...

Renee, they know they are made with dates and think that's gross. I think "the more for me". ;)

Thanks, Kristin. They are so worth making.

Thanks, Averie!

Nutmeg Nanny said...

healthy and fudgy?! You've reeled me in :) loving these!