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Just three ingredients!
I forget where I came across the prototype for this recipe. Or if I just saw something similar and decided to experiment. It was about 7 years ago and I tried a *lot* of recipes back then.
But what I clearly remember is that I was desperate for an AIP sweet treat that didn’t break the bank. It also needed to be something that I could prepare quickly, yet still tasted good – if you’ve done AIP or paleo for a while, you know what I mean.
This recipe satisfied all of those things.
When I tried it for the first time, it became an instant favourite. It tastes just like real brownies – the chewy-gooey kind – but without any of the usual refined ingredients.
Translation: no huge sugar crash, stomach ache, guilt, or other upsetting symptoms after.
And the bonus part? It only takes a few minutes to make – including set up and clean up!
As you can see from the recipe below, I used 5 Medjool dates for these pictures…and the brownie turned out much bigger than I expected! It’s been a while since I made one.
Medjool dates are quite big, and not as sweet as the regular ones, but I find that they have a lot more nutritional value. They’re also a lot easier to squish once softened.
This is the brand that I typically go to for these:
They offer both pitted and non-pitted (without any quality differences), as well as different container sizes. But the biggest thing I love about this brand is….there aren’t any additives, preservatives, or sneaky ingredients!
And if you’re in Canada like I currently am, and you prefer to shop for things in person – hey, no problem. You’ll be able to find these in both Foodland and Independent chains, which should be visitable in most places (one of those chains likes rural areas, and one likes cities). I know I’ve seen them in other stores, too.
Bulkbarn (Ontario) also carries plain Medjool dates with no preservatives/additives/other ingredients, although I’m unsure which brand they stock with.
My absolute fav part about this recipe, though?
SQUISHING THE DATES WITH MY BARE HANDS!
Seriously – it’s just satisfying on a whole other level. Once you drain the water and get the pits out, just start squishing between your fingers until it’s like a paste. It’s easy to clump them all together afterwards.
And then once you add the salt and cocoa (or carob for AIP) powder? It gets very messy, very fast, but smells like chocolatey heaven. Who doesn’t love that?
So if you’re ready for your next favourite AIP/Paleo treat, try out the recipe below! Comment to let me know how it turned out for you!
Easy Paleo/AIP No Bake Brownies
Ingredients
- 8 small dates (4-5 if using medjool)
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder (substitute carob for AIP)
- 1 pinch pink rock salt
- (optional – defrosted blueberries to drizzle)
Instructions
- Take your dates and plunk them into some warm/hot water to soften them up (about a minute).
- Once they're soft and squishy, drain most of the water (leave a few drops). Using hands, mush the dates individually until they're like a paste – I find that the tiny bit of water helps this process. Then, combine the individual dates.
- Add the pinch of salt and work it in.
- Add the cocoa/carob powder and work it in until the date paste turns a darker brown. It should smell extremely chocolatey and the powder should look fully integrated.
- Form your paste into the shape of a small brownie (or whatever shape you desire), and put it onto a microwave-safe plate.
- Heat it in the microwave for 10-20 seconds. OPTIONAL: If you prefer not to use microwaves, you can try eating it cold. I haven't experimented with other methods of heating it.
- OPTIONAL: drizzle the defrosted blueberries and runoff juice over top the brownie-date paste. Can be eaten by hand or with a fork/spoon.
Notes
- Cocoa powder is not AIP approved, so if you’re strict AIP then substitute the cocoa for carob.
- It’s extremely satisfying to mash the dates with bare hands, and it also helps integrate the cocoa/carob better.
- CAUTION: IT MAY BE EXTREMELY HOT WHEN IT COMES OUT OF THE MICROWAVE.