Perfect Vegan Caramel Date Sweetened Brownies (Nut-Free, Gluten-Free

• Vegan
• Gluten free

• Produce

  • 1/4 cup Cacao nibs
  • 12 Medjool dates

• Canned Goods

  • 1/2 cup Coconut cream

• Condiments

  • 2 tbsp Molasses
  • 1 cup Tahini

• Baking & Spices

  • 1/4 tsp Baking soda
  • 1/2 cup Brown rice flour
  • 2 cups Chocolate chips, vegan
  • 1/4 cup Coconut sugar
  • 3/4 tsp Himalayan pink salt
  • 2 tbsp Tapioca starch
  • 1 1/2 tsp Vanilla

Found on veggiesdontbite.com

Description

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup brown rice flour (I use a finely ground brown rice flour)
• 2 tablespoons tapioca starch
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon Himalayan pink salt
• 2 cups vegan chocolate chips (or dark chocolate chips ), divided
• 1 cup tahini (room temperature)
• 12 Medjool dates , soaked in hot water, plus 1/4 cup of the soaking water
• 2 tablespoons molasses
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 - 1/2 cup coconut sugar (depending on how sweet you want it)
• 1/2 cup coconut cream, the top layer from about a can of full fat coconut milk , stored in refrigerator for 2-3 days or freezer for 2-3 hours
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon Himalayan pink salt
• 1/4 cup cacao nibs

Directions

• Preheat oven to 375. Soak dates in hot water, allow to soak while prepping the other ingredients. I soak mine with the pits because it is easier to remove the pits once soaked and soft.
• Combine flour, starch, baking soda and salt in a small bowl and whisk to break up clumps. Set aside.
• Melt 1 cup chocolate chips with tahini using a microwave or double boiler. If using a microwave, be sure to heat in short 10-15 second increments so you avoid burning it. Stir in between heatings to break down large chunks. It took mine a little over 1 minute to melt, but it will depend on your microwave.
• Once melted, pour mixture into a blender or food processor (save the bowl you used for later). Add dates (make sure to remove the pits), 1/4 cup of the soaking water, molasses and vanilla. Blend until smooth. If you have some small chunks of dates that’s okay, it will just contribute to the chewiness. Blend until really smooth if you prefer no chunks.
• Add in the flour mixture. Blend again to combine.
• At this point you can either pour the last cup of chocolate chips into the blender or food processor and pulse to combine, or you can put the mixture into the bowl you used to melt the chocolate in and then mix the chocolate chips in there to avoid any chips getting chopped a bit which may happen if you combine in the blender or food processor. This is just a personal preference.
• Pour batter into prepared pan (spray pan with a bit of coconut oil or line with parchment paper) or into a nonstick pan. If you spray with coconut oil, wipe down excess. This still makes your brownies oil free as no oil was added to the mixture. I promise the baking police will not get you. You can use either a 9 x 9 pan or an 8 x 8 pan for very thick brownies.
• Bake at 375 for 20 minutes, until a toothpick comes out mostly clean with a bit of batter on the end. Ovens vary so keep a close eye around the 15 minute mark. They cook more as they cool so make sure NOT to overbake. You want the toothpick to be slightly wet when you test, if it is dry you left them to bake too long.
• Allow to cool completely, at least an hour but the longer the better, and then cut and serve. These brownies get better the longer they set. I tried them the next day and even the day after that and they just got chewier and fudgier.
• Make the caramel while brownies are cooking. Place all ingredients, except cacao nibs, in a small pot . Whisk over medium heat until you get a rolling boil. Turn heat to medium low, then continue to whisk until slightly thickened, about 5-7 minutes.
• Once it is done, allow it to cool in the fridge about 15-20 minutes. Once cool, pour on the brownies, then sprinkle the cacao nibs on the top.
• You can also pour the caramel on the brownies when hot, then top with cacao nibs and place the entire pan in the fridge to cool. This may have an effect on the texture of the brownies, so keep that in mind.