I’m decidedly an underachiever when it comes to holidays like Valentine’s Day. The last few weeks the Internet has exploded with images of heart decorations, red and pink drinks, and heart-shaped foods of every kind.
I feel like a bit of a slacker when I browse Pinterest and see the efforts of so many Valentine-obsessed people.
Actually, that’s a lie. While I can appreciate the aesthetic value of intricately designed cookies and heart-shaped cupcakes, I know I couldn’t spend the time on those things. To each their own and all of that, but I can just feel the stress that comes with creating such perfection.
Does that mean I’m going to let Valentine’s Day go by without chocolate? No, it does not. Chocolate and Valentine’s Day go together like peas and carrots. We will have chocolate on our love holiday, no doubt.
If you, like me, can appreciate a recipe for a Valentine’s Day treat that is no-stress, super quick, and healthy, this is your recipe. These are ready in less than 20 minutes!
I took an old recipe of mine for raw brownie bites and modified it, just a little, to create this healthy jam-filled raw fudge brownie recipe. It is perfect for Valentine’s Day or any day when you just need some chocolate but want a little something extra.
The little something extra comes in the form of a surprise burst of raspberry jam in the middle of these raw fudge brownies.
Chocolate and raspberry just works, doesn’t it? So good together.
If you made my raspberry chia seed jam, you are in luck, because that is what I used in these healthy brownies. If not, no worries, just use your favorite jam or jelly. Either way, you’ll be glad you have these fudgy, delicious brownies to share with the loves of your life.
This recipe makes a tray-full, so feel free to halve if if you don’t need so many.
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jam-filled raw fudge brownies
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 36 brownies 1x
Description
These raw fudge brownies have an exciting surprise in the middle: a burst of raspberry chia seed jam! You will not find a healthier brownie recipe out there. These are raw, gluten-free, vegan, grain-free, oil-free, and made with no refined sugar.
Ingredients
- 2 cups raw walnuts
- 3 cups pitted dates
- 1/2 cup raw cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder
- 4 tablespoons raw almond butter (or your favorite nut butter)
- 1/4 heaping cup raspberry chia seed jam (or your favorite jam/jelly)
- powdered sugar, for sprinkling (optional)
Instructions
- Have a piece of parchment paper or wax paper ready.
- In a food processor, pulse the walnuts until they are broken down into a crumb. Put them in a bowl and set aside. Put the dates in the food processor and process until they reach a paste consistency. Add the processed walnuts back to the food processor with the dates along with the cacao/cocoa powder and almond butter. Process until everything is well incorporated. The mixture should look like coarse crumbs, but when you press it between your fingers, it will stick together.
- Remove the blade from the food processor transfer the mixture to the wax paper. Form the mixture into a large rectangle. Using a spatula or your hands, press the mixture together and form it into a large rectangle.
- Next, use a rolling pin to roll it thin. Try to roll it evenly and use your spatula or fingers to keep it in a rectangular shape.
- Next, use a pizza cutter or knife to cut your rectangle in half. If you don’t have square edges, cut the edges off so they are clean. You can re-roll the edges later.
- Now spread most of the jam on one half of the rectangle. Then, using your hands, pull up the wax paper so that the bare side of the rectangle goes on top of the side on which you spread the jam.
- Now you are ready to cut your brownies into squares. I find the pizza cutter works best for this. See the pictures below to see how this process goes.
- Re-roll any scrap “dough” and repeat the above process. Finally, sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired. Enjoy!
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brownie
- Calories: 134
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 1.3g
- Fat: 5.6g
- Carbohydrates: 20.6g
- Protein: 4.7g
Interestingly enough, last year on this day I made The World’s Healthiest Brownie. I guess I like my brownies on V-day. If you want a baked version that is still super healthy, give those brownies a try.
Will you look at that? I even took the time to draw a heart into the powdered sugar. And I said I was a Valentine’s Day underachiever.
“Will you look at that? I even took the time to draw a heart into the powdered sugar. And I said I was a Valentine’s Day underachiever.”
LOL You rock. 🙂
🙂
I am an underachiever when it comes to every holiday. I never knew which word described me until now…this is exactly what I am!
What an amazing recipe…I especially love the powdered heart. You have a great attention to detail!! Love it.
A belated Happy Valentine’s Day to you!
Same to you, Ameena!
Made these last night and they are so good! Thanks for the step-by-step pictures too!
Thanks for letting me know, Tracy! Glad you enjoyed them. 🙂
you had me an no bake, then chocolate! oh yes, love your recipes!
Thanks, Lindsay. 🙂
This is superb recipe – so healthy and vibrant with raspberry chia seed jam! I have to try this soon – thanks for sharing this! Love your step by step picture tutorial too. Lovely blog!
Thank you for your kind words, Medha.
I’m so thankful for my stash of raspberries from the summer in the freezer. These will be made and enjoyed! 🙂
Wonderful! 🙂
Just 5 ingredients, I love it! And I totally laughed to myself when you said you could halve the recipe… no way that would happen in our house 🙂
Not if I want them o last more than 15 minutes! 😉
Jam filled brownies sound like all kinds of amazing, I need to try this!
Do it!
I love that these brownies do not look perfect and completely uniform. Sometimes Pinterest depresses me… but this post made me feel like I can do it! I appreciate your “realness”. 🙂
Feel free to check out my blog… http://www.deconstructtheyuck.com... where I am searching for realness in my own life.
Off to check it out now!
Yeah, pretty much anyone can make these! 🙂 My baked goods/sweets never look uniform. haha
I’ll take these over anything heart shaped on Pinterest any day!
DROOL!
I agree!