Raw Chocolate Cherry (Protein) Brownies

Nothing screams love like chocolate! With Valentine’s Day right around the corner I had chocolate on my list and hadn’t decided what I was going to make when my youngest daughter asked if we could make cherry brownies, while she snacked on some dried cherries. I thought what a great idea! I would take the raw chocolate protein brownie bites I was going to make and make Raw Chocolate Cherry (Protein) Brownies instead! My little helper and I went into the kitchen and went to work, testing along the way I am surprised they actually made it to the pan, they were “the best ever mama”. I know every little girl says that but this time it melted my heart. She was so excited to pick up her sister from school to tell her about them and share them with her. So before writing this blog I grabbed two recipe cards and hand wrote this recipe and tucked it away for my girls.

Raw Chocolate Cherry Brownies

Makes a 9×9 pan or 24 brownie balls

½ c cacao powder (used Navitas Naturals Cacao Powder)

1 scoop (1/4-1/3 c) chocolate protein powder, or more cacao/cocoa powder (used Vega Choc-A-Lot Protein Smoothie)

1/2 c dried cherries, plus more (about 2TBSP – 1/4 c) for garnish

2 c pitted Medjool Dates (16)

1 1/2 c raw walnut pieces

pinch of sea salt

1/3 c sweet cacao nibs or Vega Maca Chocolate Bar, chopped

In a food processor pulse walnuts until they are a coarse crumble texture. Add cacao, chocolate protein, and sea salt and blend until combine. Add cherries and dates and blend until well combine, scrapping sides as needed. It should stick together when you pinch it between your fingers. If making brownie balls you can add cacao nibs or maca chocolate to the mixture and pulse, and roll into balls. If making bars or shapes line a 9×9 baking sheet with parchment paper and press mixture evenly into the pan. Rough chop dried cherries and sprinkle over brownies. Sprinkle cacao nibs or maca chocolate over the brownies and press the cherries and cacao/chocolate into the brownies. Set in the freezer or refrigerator to set, about 15 minutes, or you can leave them longer before cutting. I find it easier to cut them this way but you don’t have to. Cut into bars, I like to lift the parchment paper and brownies out of the pan and use a long blade knife to cut the bars nice and even pressing down vs. dragging the knife through. Enjoy!

As a Vega Recipe Ambassador I receive Vega products, which I used as an option in this recipe. I use Vega not because it is given to me but because it has been my plant-based protein of choice since before I started blogging and some recipes are made with Vega products I purchase. I only write about foods I love, my blog is an extension of my hobby to make fun healthy food creations for me and my family.