Raw Fudge Brownies with a Brazil Nut Crunch

Out of all the raw desserts I make, it surprises me that I haven't posted a recipe for raw brownies yet. You have Scott to thank for almost all of my raw dessert posts. This guy needs his dessert. Every. Night. It can become a real issue if there isn't something sweet for him to dig his teeth into after dinner. Unless I want my special bag of vegan chocolate chips devoured, or my high quality dark chocolate bar I was saving for a special unknown recipe in the future to disappear, I better have a dessert ready and waiting for my chocolate-loving-man to discover. Which I secretly love, because I could never eat all the raw desserts I crave to make on my own! I can be pretty boring when it comes to dessert, or what I call my post-dinner snack. Usually its a simple bowl of mixed raw nuts and dried fruit such as walnuts, cashews, almonds, and dried cranberries. But even I gave into these chocolate squares of goodness with Scott the other night. You just can't beat a simple raw brownie. I added in chopped brazil nuts for extra crunch, but feel free to leave them out or substitute in another one of your favorite nuts or seeds.

Ingredients

1/2 cup brazil nuts

2 cups GF rolled oats

1 cup raw cashews

1/2 cup raw cacao

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon vanilla

5 tablespoons raw agave

2-3 tablespoons water

Begin by processing the brazil nuts in a food processor for 10-15 seconds until they are chopped into small pieces. Empty the brazil nut pieces into a mixing bowl. Add the rolled oats and cashews to the food processor and process until they resemble a fine meal. Add the raw cacao and cinnamon, then pulse a few times to incorporate. Add the vanilla and raw agave. Process and until crumbly, and then add 1 tablespoon of water at a time until the brownie batter is thick and sticky. With a spatula, scoop the brownie batter into the mixing bowl with the brazil nuts, and fold in the nut pieces. Line an 8x8 inch pan with parchment and press the brownie batter into it firmly. Freeze for 15 minutes, then remove the brownies by pulling out the parchment lining. Slice into 16 squares, and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to serve.