Looking for a devilish treat but want to remain an angel? Look no further. These sugar-free treats are gorgeously gooey and, wait for it….good for you too!
Recipe:
Serves: 1 tin of brownies
Preparation time: 25 minutes (plus 10 minutes’ soaking and 1-2 hours’ firming)
300g (10½oz) dates
100ml (3½fl oz) freshly brewed coffee
2 tsps ground cinnamon
Ground seeds of 5 cardamom pods
1 tbsp vanilla extract or the seeds from 1 pod
150g (5¼oz) walnuts
150g (5¼oz) almonds
Method:
De-stone the dates if needed. Pop them into a saucepan with the coffee, cinnamon, cardamom and vanilla then soak for 10 minutes.
Place all but a handful of the walnuts in a food processor with all the almonds. Blend until you have a fine powder (or alternately use pre-ground versions), add the spiced coffee dates and blend until smooth.
Line a small baking tin with foil or greaseproof paper then spoon the mixture in. You want it about 2-3cm (¾-1¼in) deep. If your tin is too big, you can use a doubled-over piece of foil or greaseproof paper as a makeshift side for your tin.
Sprinkle the remaining walnuts over the top then press the mixture into the tin. Place a piece of foil or greaseproof paper over the top, smooth over the top and put in the fridge to firm up for 1-2 hours.
Remove from the tin, cut into squares and tuck in.
You can keep the brownies for up to a week and they also freeze well.
Enjoy riders!