Nutritious No-Bake Brownies

These nut, dried fruit, and chia seed brownies are gluten-free, vegan, naturally sweet, and super nutritious!

Ingredients:

1 cup (173 g) pitted MEDJOOL dates
¼ cup (28 g) walnuts
¼ cup (28 g) pecan halves
½ cup (28 g) shelled pistachios
¼ cup (21 g) unsweetened shredded coconut
1 tablespoon chia seeds
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon melted virgin coconut oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon sea salt
¼ cup (30 g) dried cranberries (or dried cherries or GOJI berries)
1 tablespoon warm water, if needed
60 g dark chocolate bar

Additional ingredients:
1 tablespoon shelled chopped pistachios
1 tablespoon dried cranberries, cherries or GOJI berries
1 tablespoon chopped pecans
Sea salt (to sprinkle on top)

Instructions:

1. Place dates, walnuts, pecans, and only ¼ cup of pistachios in the bowl of a food processor. Process until there are a few chunks left.
2. Then add the unsweetened shredded coconut, chia seeds, cocoa powder, coconut oil, and vanilla extract. Process again until the mixture is slightly sticky. If the mixture is dry, add 1-2 tablespoons of warm water.
3. Add the remaining ¼ cup of pistachios and dried cranberries and process again (there should be a few chunks left). Pour mixture into a 8x4 inch (20x10 cm) baking dish lined with parchment paper. Press evenly into the edges.
4. Place the dark chocolate in a small saucepan and heat over low heat until melted. You can also do this in the microwave: in 30-second intervals, stirring constantly until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth.
5. Pour the chocolate over the brownie mixture in the baking pan, tilting the pan at an angle so that the chocolate covers the surface evenly. Top with 1 tablespoon each of the following ingredients: chopped pistachios, dried cranberries, and chopped pecans. Place the brownie in the freezer for 20-45 minutes to set.
6. Before serving, sprinkle with sea salt and cut into 8 squares. Store in the freezer, covered, for up to 1 month.

Yield: 8 brownies
Recipe: ambitiouskitchen.com