Valentines Day isnt really very special in our family; its just any other ordinary day. My daughter made everyone a heart-shaped card this morning, though, and I stuffed heart-shaped watermelon pieces and heart-shaped sandwiches into my kids lunch boxes for school today. Otherwise, I hadnt planned on making anything to celebrate the occasion.
However, a failed attempt at raw brownies yesterday pretty much meant I had to re-attempt the recipe the next day. They had potential, but I wasnt happy with the cocoa powder I used (it was Dutch-processed and too dark, ie Valrhona!) and I had to substitute pecans for the walnuts. I just didnt like the brownies, and they left my mouth and tongue with a powdery feeling that wasnt very pleasing. I decided to try a different recipe, so I turned to Minimalist Bakers 5-minute espresso walnut brownies. They looked absolutely delicious. And you know what? They taste awesome!
You may have noticed, especially if youve been following me on Instagram, that Ive had a thing for raw (or in my case, no-bake) recipes lately. I cant officially call them raw, even if the original recipe is raw, because Im not using officially raw ingredients. For example, in the case of these brownies, I just bought a bag of walnuts from the grocery store. They werent roasted or anything, but I still dont think theyre officially raw. I havent jumped on the raw bandwagon as of yet, but the recipes are healthier and so much more easier and delicious than I ever imagined.
This recipe is perfect for vegetarians and vegans, and is also gluten-free, refined sugar-free and dairy-free. And if youre just looking to eat healthier, definitely give this recipe a go. Its the best alternative to the real thing!
These brownies, while they do require a rather large amount of ingredients, can be prepared in almost 5 minutes flat (Id say 10 minutes, tops), just as the title of the recipe suggests. No baking necessary!
I substituted almond meal for the chopped almonds in the recipe, as I knew this would result in a smoother texture. I also used non-Dutch-processed cocoa powder, which eliminated that powdery feeling I experienced after my first go with raw brownies using a different recipe. I didnt use a pan to press the brownies into, but instead just shaped the mixture into a square on a piece of baking paper. I didnt measure it, but it was probably between 6 and 7 inches square. What Ive also found is that you really need to press the mixture together firmly and tightly, otherwise the slices of brownies that you cut will crumble.
The original recipe would have you transferring mixtures from food processor to bowl a couple of different times (transfer nut mixture to a bowl, process the dates, put them in a bowl, add the nut mixture back to the processor, then add dates one a time), but I skipped all that to make it less time-consuming and also to save on washing up; I had already chopped the dates in half when I removed the pits, so I just simply threw them down the chute one at a time after processing the nut/cocoa mixture.
Since its Valentines Day, I decided that these healthy guilt-free brownies would be my chocolaty sweet treats for today!
How sweet do they look! This would be a perfect (and quick!) treat for any Valentines Day gift as you know that what youre giving your special Valentine is super healthy! If you follow the original recipe and use all raw ingredients, itd be even healthier!
They are so delicious that it feels like Im being naughty by even eating just one slice. I have to keep reminding myself that its okay to indulge in another slice these brownies are not full of sugar, butter, oil, eggs and flour; theyre full of good stuff!
I might also note that this mixture would probably make nice truffles! 
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