Here you go…a rich chocolate brownie that offers an abundance of health benefits too.
Aside from being perfectly sweet, rich in chocolate, and moist, these brownies have a lot to offer for your health. I like to think of them as a brain-boosting brownie, perfect for that afternoon pick me up, dessert, or any time you feel the urge for chocolate. Along with beloved cacao, we are adding Lions Mane, which is a type of mushroom that is popular for its medicinal properties for the brain, heart, and gut. Its ability to increase cognitive function, especially focus and memory, has attracted many people to add this into their daily regimen.
In addition to the cacao and mushroom, we have also added walnuts as an additional brain-boosting ingredient.
The best part is that these brownies are super easy to make. There is no cooking required, and the batter can be eaten raw.
Stored in the refrigerator, they will last a few weeks. You may freeze them for longer storage, but I doubt they will last that long.
Learn how to add more hormone-balancing ingredients to your meals with our FREE 15 Breakfasts to Rebalance Your Hormones guide here.
- 1½ cups pitted dates
- 1 cup water
- 3½ cups walnuts, divided
- 1½ cups cacao powder
- 1 tablespoon Lions Mane powder (try this one)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup raw honey
- ¼ cup melted coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup reserved date liquid
- Pinch sea salt
- Soak the dates in water for about 15 minutes.
- In a food processor, pulse 3 cups walnuts, cacao, lions mane, cinnamon, and salt into a fine crumble. This should be fine, but not so much that it starts to clump together.
- Transfer dry mix to a medium size bowl.
- Add the dates, ½ cup of the date water, vanilla, coconut oil, and honey to the food processor.
- Pulse a few times, and scrape down sides. Then continue to puree into a smooth paste.
- Add paste to dry mix and with a spatula mix well until it is all incorporated.
- Line a 9 x12 dish with parchment paper.
- Press brownie into the dish.
- Add ½ more cup walnuts to the food processor and pulse into a crumble.
- Top brownie with walnut crumble
- Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or place in freezer for an additional time to set.
- Once brownies have set, gently lift the edge of parchment paper to pop them out.
- Cut into squares, and enjoy!
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks, and in the freezer for months.
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All of the recipes are based on 20 hormone-supporting superfoods and 20 hormone-supporting super herbs—with modifications for Paleo, Paleo for Autoimmunity (AIP), anti-Candida, and low-FODMAP diets.
You can get a copy of the cookbook here.
how many servings does this make?
Hi Wendy,
It makes 12-15 servings. ~HB Team
Can you substitute something else for the mushrooms since I’m allergic to them
Hi Diana,
You can leave those out. Also, there is this brownie recipe too https://hormonesbalance.com/recipes/red-velvet-grain-free-brownies/ ~HB Team
Is there a candida diet version of this recipe with stevia and/or xylitol?
Hi Daniella,
Not yet. Here are some anti-candida recipes that are really good https://hormonesbalance.com/recipes/anti-candida-recipes/ ~HB Team
Is there a different nut you could recommend as I am slightly allergic to walnuts?
Hi Marion,
You can choose another nut you prefer ~HB Team
I’ve just made these brownies and put them in the fridge ! I’m on a diet right now where I’m keeping track of calories
Do you know how many calories these have ?
Thanks, Suzanne
Hi, I’m allergic to coconut. Do you think olive oil will work in this recipe? Or is there another oil you recommend instead? Thank you! These sound delicious!
Hi Jodi,
You’re welcome to use olive oil. A lot of people enjoy using Avocado oil and it’s a great for baking.
Healthy Regards,
Sarah
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hello,
What could I substitute for the oil in this recipe? thanks
Hi Bernadette,
If you can’t use any oils, I would suggest butter (if that’s possible) or applesauce may work well. Same ratio. Nutiva also makes a vegan shortening if you’re looking for another alternative. Hope this helps.
Healthy Regards,
Sarah
Any suggestions if you don’t have a food processor? Do you think my Ninja Blender will work?
Hi Robbie. Some blenders may not have blades designed to blend tougher ingredients like dates and walnuts. I did find a similar recipe using dates on Ninja’s website and it recommended using the “Total Crushing & Power Chopping Blade.”
If you don’t have this blade, please know that this recipe was not tested using a Ninja Blender. It may help to pre-chop the dates and nuts into smaller pieces to help with smoother blending.
– HB Team