I started non-baking raw vegan brownies two years ago when I began to fall in love with raw desserts and the possibilities it presented. I had always been intimidated by the concept of raw foods but the draw had been there for years. I distinctly remember sitting on my bed eight years ago scouring the internet, researching (albeit a limited selection) of raw recipes, contemplating whether or not I could afford a dehydrator, let alone if I could even follow a raw diet. I felt a surge of energy as I learned more about this way of life–something about it spoke deeply to me yet at the same time it was overwhelming enough to scare me out of it.
Now as I have a better grasp on myself and who I am, I know that adhering to an all-raw diet is a bit extreme for my personality. I’m more of a moderate kind of gal however I also have learned that I am more resilient and able than I ever gave myself credit for. That intimidation though stayed with me for a while. Where the heck would I find coconut oil? I have to soak nuts, what? Raw cacao powder–did they just spell that incorrectly? It wasn’t until I moved back inland where summers were no longer blessed with ocean marine layer and chilly mid-day breezes but instead plagued with heat, sweat, and misery that I began to experiment. No one wants to use an oven in those circumstances… 
I really don’t know what I was so afraid of, really. Once I began to play around with dessert ideas made raw, I became a bit crazed. Check out my entire Raw Recipe Selection. I absolutely loved it and understood why eight years ago I was drawn to it. So I created this brownie recipe for Halloween two years ago but decided it needed an update and new twist. What about a raw vegan “skillet” brownie that actually looks like it came fresh out of the oven but you didn’t even need to turn a darn thing on?! This recipe fills two mini iron skillets (approx. 5″ radius) however you don’t need those to make them. Simply use an 8×8 pan. 
Raw Vegan “Skillet” Brownies
- Yield: 12 1x
Ingredients
- 1 c. cashews, soaked for at least 1 hour, drained
- 1 c. walnuts, soaked for at least 1 hour, drained
- 1/2 c. homemade almond flour/meal
- 1/2 c. raw cacao powder (or use unsweetened cocoa powder)
- 4 Medjool dates, pits removed and chopped
- 3 Tbsp. raw agave or maple syrup
- 1 Tbsp. coconut oil
Instructions
- Mix the cashews and walnuts in a food processor until crumb-like, small granules. You might have to do this in 2 batches, depending on your processor size.
- Add the remainder of ingredients into the processor and pulse for 1-2 minutes until a smooth dough forms.
- Line 2 mini iron skillets or an 8×8 pan with wax paper just on the bottom. Place the dough in the pan and with your hands, pat down until dough forms into pan.
- Chill in the fridge for 20+ minutes.
- Serve with coconut whipped cream, chopped nuts and fresh cherries.
If you have found yourself a bit intimidated by raw desserts, these raw vegan “skillet” brownies are for you! They are simple to make, don’t require crazy kitchen equipment, easy-to-sub ingredients and tastes like a dream. Maybe you will find yourself a bit drawn to the raw world as well…
I just found your recipe for raw skillet brownies. They look great. I am intrigued by the calories–over 2,000 calories? Is this if you eat the entire batch by yourself? Which no one ever does, wink, wink.
HAHA. No, this is just what happens when you switch recipe plugins and it gives you the nutritional value for the entire thing, posing as one serving. Thank you for the heads up! I’m still trying to find them all that need to be updated…
Oh my gosh, get out!! I could have SWORN these were baked!! That top looks totally cooked, wow! Looks amazing. I LOVE making raw desserts and it seems I do more raw ones lately than baked, kind of crazy to think that too!
Cara, do you think we could use all purpose gf flour in place of the almond meal? I moved down under and Sydney isn’t quite up to speed with gf flours yet! Also, do you have a recipe for coconut whipped cream? It sounds delish! Thanks!
You can buy almond meal in Woolies and Coles (I’m in Canberra). Or it would be very simple to grind raw almonds to make your own ‘meal’.
I love raw desserts I just made one today !
I just licked the screen. Cara, please, please, please open your bake shop on Ventura blvd., in Studio City, pretty please!!!
We love brownies in my house, but they’re impossible to make when it’s as hot as it has been! I’ll have to try these — thank you for sharing 🙂
Well now you have a reason to eat brownies this season! 😉 Thanks for the comment Kate. xo
Excellent recipe! I’m sure that it could fool anyone, cause this brownie really looks like straight out of the oven. Looks wonderful and I’m sure it’s equally yummy!
I made raw chocolate energy bars last week and was surprised by the results, super tasty and full of goodness.
🙂
I tried to even give it that skillet brownie shape too, ha 🙂 I’ve yet to make energy bars but now that you mention it, I just might have to give it a go now–thank you! xo
Yum! These look super easy and delish, can’t wait to try them!! 😀
Hope you like them, sister! xo
Look great but what if you don’t own any iron skillets?
You can use an 8×8 pan! (Or guessing anything really, since there’s no baking involved?)
Yup, Kat you are right! I state in the post and recipe that an 8×8 pan works just as great ☺
Oh Kat and Cara… so sorry I missed that! Daaah… :))
Hi Nancy! Don’t apologize! We got your back 🙂
Yum! I’m still a little intimidated by raw desserts, but not because they seem like a lot of work or anything. It’s the cost of all those nuts that scares me. 🙂 So I rarely make raw desserts. But I do love that feeling, after downing a slice of raw cheesecake, and knowing that the dessert I just gorged on was totally good for me.
I totally get what you are saying about the cost Bianca. That is why I love using cashews in my desserts because I can buy them at Trader Joe’s relatively inexpensively, plus I know that they will be put to good use either in a raw cheesecake like you suggest or for a simple snack 🙂 xo
Oh my goodness, Cara! That looks absolutely amazing! I’m very much like you. When I think how much I’ve learned about whole “alternative” foods like coconut oil, soaking nuts, raw foods, etc. since going gluten free, it’s incredible really. There’s such a huge world of real food and amazing ways to use it and recipes to make from it! I just love this brownie, Cara! Can’t wait to try it! 🙂
xo,
Shirley
It’s so funny to think about how you used to view “alternative” foods prior to big changes in your life, isn’t it Shirley?? Now, it’s like, “How come I waited this long to do this?!!” 🙂 xo