Rich Chocolate Brownies (No Bake)
I was thinking the other day…
Since I have this blog and I love to cook but I am also planning a wedding, why don’t I try and intermingle the two while this is all going on?
Try and use it as an online journal of sorts, get my feelings out but also show you all what I have been up to?
Sound like a deal?
I know I am offering myself for all of your opinions, but you know what? I get that no matter what. So bring them on!
Right now the big thing that Patrick and I are deciding on are invitations.
We have so many people asking when the ceremony will take place, when the rehearsal is and when they should be arriving into town.
For our wedding, I am going to safely say that 85% of the people coming are going to be traveling from out of town.
YIKES!
So, we have had to go a little above and beyond what normally would be planned because we need people to have places to stay.
Anyways, long story short, we need to get out the invitations so that people know what is going on. We are at the 7 months until the wedding mark this week , so it is quickly approaching!
We really liked the layout of this invitation and thought it was fun. Plus our colors are Gray & Yellow so it goes!
If you are friends with me on Facebook you saw our gorgeous flowers. If not, check that out here.
My feeling on the invitation is make it as simple as possible because I know the majority of people will not even look at it again once they get it! At least, I know that when I get wedding invitations…I don’t save them.
Sorry to anyone who has sent me an invitation!
The purpose to me is to give information and that is it. Doesn’t need to be super complicated. Right?
What do you all think? Easy to read? To busy?
We like them, we went back and forth on many many invitations and I think this is the one Patrick and I agreed on.
Now we just need to decide when the actual ceremony will be…so.many.decisions.
Onto the recipe!
You all were super excited about these on Instagram yesterday, holy cow!
I knew I was going to have to share them ASAP.
These aren’t my normal style calorie wise. They are pretty calorie dense, however…they are FULL of good for you ingredients!
Which I love!
I would much rather eat something that is rich in vitamins and has more calories than eat something that is low fat, low calorie, has no flavor AND doesn’t really have any benefits.
This is loaded with healthy things! Walnuts, cocoa powder, flax meal, cinnamon and cayenne pepper!
Did you know that walnuts are loaded with protein? They help oxidize fats which helps with weight loss and helps your heart feeling healthy. #word
Cocoa powder can actually improve your mood. Huh. Who would have thought? It has high levels of antioxidants that make you radiant. It is also high in minerals which helps support plasma in your blood and is an awesome source for iron and magnesium. #dorkalert
Flax meal/seeds also are a great source of protein but also are full of vitamins and essential fatty acids that help keep your heart healthy and your skin hydrated and soft. #signmeup
Cinnamon…don’t get me started on cinnamon! This is a superfood. Period. If you don’t believe me, see this post here.
Cayenne peppah! Great source of vitimans A, B & C as well as containing potassium and manganese. It aids the body in digestion which is why they say it helps with metabolism AND it contains capsaicin which is great for regulating body temperature, easing arthritis and improving overall circulation. #wellthen
So that was a total dorky moment of mine.
I love knowing all the great things that food can do for you and how it affects your body!
When you understand what your food does that you put into your body you can appreciate it more, enjoy your meals and be mindful of what you put in your pie hole.
These brownies are chocolatey and rich. I promise you won’t even be able to tell that they aren’t baked. They have the same consistency as a brownie, which amazes me.
And since I know all the benefits I am getting from eating them, it makes it easier to enjoy one a day 😉
Seriously. These are no joke.
Enjoy!
- [i]Brownie “Batter”:[/i]
- 2 cups walnuts
- 2 cup pitted dates
- 1 cup cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp flax seed meal
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- Handful of 70% dark chocolate chips
- Handful unsalted walnuts[br]
- [u]FOR GANACHE:[/u]
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- Line a 8×8 square baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a food processor add walnuts, chili powder, flax seed meal and cinnamon and pulse until fine but do not over process to make into nut butter. Add the cocoa powder and pulse for about 10 seconds or until well combined.
- Add the pitted dates in 2-3 batches. You may overload the processor if you add them all in at once. Press the mixture into the pan.
- Evenly spread the chocolate chips and walnuts over the brownies in the pan.
- Heat the coconut oil in a small bowl, mix the ganache ingredients and pour it over the brownie mixture.
- Place the brownies in the fridge until set or in the freezer for about 5 minutes.
- Cut the brownies into squares and store in a cake stand or in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
15 Comments
Becky
Raven,
Raven,
My son and Daughter-in Law sent out Save a Date postcards with the date of the wedding about 7 months before the wedding. Then they put all of the information for the out of town guests, reception, venue, etc on their wedding website, as those details evolved. Invitations were mailed out about 8 weeks before the wedding. This process worked for them, and they are in the Chicago area. Hope that this helps you:)
RavieNomNoms
Thanks! We already sent out the Save the Dates, a while back so that our out of town guests could at least have that information.
Kayle (The Cooking Actress)
Since I’m wedding planning too I am allll for you sharing wedding stuff! I think the invites are gorgeous!
These brownies look so chewy and amazing and I can’t believe they’re no bake (and fairly darned healthy!)
RavieNomNoms
Woot woot!! 🙂
Ella-Home Cooking Adventure
First of all… congratulations for the wedding…. 🙂 As for the recipe ..these brownies are looking incredible good. I will probably try this recipe pretty soon.. I have all the ingredients except the flax meal but I will be searching for it too. Thanks for sharing …
RavieNomNoms
Thank you!! You bet and let me know how you like them!
Gina
I think they are pretty. I feel really bad now because I’m not sure if I saved anyones either, but let’s just keep that our little secret. Lol. No bake, haven’t heard of these yet, love the idea. Hope you have a great weekend.
-Gina-
RavieNomNoms
Haha, your secret is safe with me! 😉
steph@stephsbitebybite
you. just. saved. my. life. with these!!!! I’ve been craving some dang brownies for a week now. But trying to avoid them [and turning on the oven]. And here you are…saving my life!! YUM
RavieNomNoms
The saved my life too haha, seriously. Suggestion: keep them in the freezer so you don’t eat them all at once! haha 😉
Angie@Angie's Recipes
These brownies look incredible, Raven. I love they are sweetened with dates and no-bake! I too think the invitation card looks pretty cool. Love the text fonts and the arrangement.
RavieNomNoms
Thanks so much Angie, I love sweetening things with dates!
Liz
Oh, my. These look too decadent NOT to try!!! And I love that they have some nutritional value!!!
PS…I love your invite. It’s not your typical look, which is wonderful!!!
RavieNomNoms
Thank you so much Liz! We were going for something a little different 🙂