Naturally Sweetened | Low Sugar | Gluten-Free | Dairy-Free
These rich, fudgy brownies are made with almond flour, cocoa powder, and naturally sweetened dates. No gluten, no refined white sugar, and no complicated ingredients! They’re chocolatey, moist, and perfect when you want something sweet without a huge sugar load. Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 20–25 minutes Servings: 9–12 brownies
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup soft dates, pitted (about 5 large dates)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup melted coconut oil
- 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk or water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips (optional, preferably 85% cacao or higher)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- Soften the dates. Soak pitted dates in hot water for 10 minutes, then drain.
- Blend the wet ingredients. Combine dates, eggs, melted coconut oil, almond milk, and vanilla in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth.
- Mix the dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, combine almond flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and sea salt.
- Combine. Stir wet ingredients into dry ingredients until a thick brownie batter forms. Fold in dark chocolate chips if using.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, until the edges are set and the center is slightly soft.
- Cool completely before slicing. For extra fudgy brownies, refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.
Make Them Holiday-Ready: Peppermint Chocolate Brownies!
Want to give these brownies a festive twist? Add a little peppermint for that classic holiday chocolate-and-mint combination! Optional Holiday Addition:
Add the Peppermint Vitality to your melted coconut oil before combining it with the other wet ingredients. Mix thoroughly to distribute the flavor evenly throughout the batter. A Quick Note About Essential Oils: Not all essential oils are safe to consume! Many are intended for aromatic or topical use only. Young Living’s Vitality line is specifically labeled for culinary and dietary use, making it an option for adding flavor to recipes when used according to the product’s label directions. Essential oils are highly concentrated, so a little goes a long way!
Natural Sweetener Alternatives
Don’t have dates? You can substitute one of these natural sweeteners:
- Coconut Sugar: 1/4 cup for a more traditional brownie texture.
- Raw Honey: 3 tablespoons for a moist brownie with a subtle floral sweetness.
- Pure Maple Syrup: 3 tablespoons for a rich, naturally sweet flavor.
Note: If using coconut sugar, omit the dates and blend the remaining wet ingredients together. If using honey or maple syrup, omit the dates and reduce the almond milk to 1 tablespoon.
Estimated Nutrition Per Brownie
Based on cutting the recipe into 9 brownies, using dates as the sweetener, and excluding optional chocolate chips.
- Protein: Approximately 4 grams
- Sugar: Approximately 5 grams
If you cut the batch into 12 smaller brownies, each contains approximately 3 grams of protein. Nutritional values are estimates and will vary based on ingredient brands, date sizes, and portion sizes. Adding peppermint flavoring does not meaningfully change the nutrition.
Tips for Healthier Brownies
- Choose unsweetened cocoa powder to avoid unnecessary added sugar.
- Use dark chocolate with 85% cacao or higher for a richer flavor and less sugar.
- Add chopped walnuts or pecans for extra crunch, healthy fats, and fiber.
- For an extra fudgy texture, slightly underbake and allow the brownies to cool completely.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.
