Raw Chocolate Fudge Brownie Recipe (the healthy version)

I made these using my thermomix but you can make them just as easily with a good blender.  I originally saw the recipe on a Facebook page called Just East Real Food and I modified it to work with the ingredients I had in my cupboard.  I can honestly say that they are DIVINE!!!!!  Even the kids absolutely loved them!

The recipe takes about 10-15 minutes to make and about 45 mins in the fridge to set.  It makes a pretty sizeable portion of about 20 squares of fudge brownies too.

Ingredients

For the brownie base you will need:
225g raw cashew nuts
240g coconut
240g soft pitted dates
80g good raw cocoa powder
120g organic maple syrup

For the fudge/ganache topping you will need:

120g organic maple syrup

50g good raw cocoa powder

60g unrefined coconut oil (or 80g coconut if you want to make your own oil)

30g cocoa nips or coconut or crushed nuts or grated dark chocolate for your topping

Method:

1. Put the cashews into the the thermomix and blend on speed 9 for 5 seconds until they have become a fine powder.  Be careful not to over-blend them or you will end up with cashew butter!!!
2. Add the dates and coconut and blend again for 10-15 seconds on speed 9 until you have a slightly sticky 'combined' powder.
3. Add the cocoa and mix on speed 8 for 10 seconds.  Scrape down the sides of the bowl and then repeat for a further 10 seconds.
4. Add the maple syrup and mix on speed 6 for 1 minutes until your have a very sticky mixture.
5. Using your hands, press the mixture into a lined baking tray.  Make sure it is as even as possible and pressed right into the corners.  You will find it becomes quite oily (from the coconut and syrup), so once you are happy with it press a piece of paper towel over the top just to absorb any excess oil.
6. Put it into the fridge for about 20 minutes to set whilst you get on with making the ganache.

There are two ways to make the ganache.  The first is to add the coconut oil, cocoa powder and maple syrup into the thermomix and blend on speed 8 for 1 minute until you have a thick, chocolaty 'icing' that you can spread evening on to the top of the brownie base.  Once you're happy with it, sprinkle it with your choice of topping and pop it back into the fridge for a further 20 minutes to set.

The second way is to make your own coconut oil or butter but adding the raw coconut into the thermomix and whizzing it for 3-4 minutes on speed 8 at a temperature of 60 degrees.  You will need to open the Thermomix to scrape down the sides every 30 seconds.  Once the coconut has started to melt and thicken a little, add the maple syrup and cocoa and continue to mix at 60 degrees for a further minute on speed 6.  Then spread it on top of your brownie base and refrigerate for 20 minites.

It sets really hard and you will need a sharp knife to cut it up into squares   It's also best to store it in the fridge too (if it last long enough).  My kids loved it to much I had to make a second batch and they wanted to help!  I was a tiny bit worried that they wouldn't eat it once they saw what actually went in it, but they didn't seem to mind at all and loved the second batch just as much!  

One point for mummy. WOOP!!