These vegan brownie bites are a clear example of how the way in which you describe a food affecting the way a food is received. Some of you maybe thinking, “Vegan brownies?” Yick. Go further: Raw brownies? How does that sound? Maybe yum, maybe not so much.
If you tell your kids that these are mostly dates and nuts, they might think, “Grrr-ross!”
They are, however you describe them, surprisingly addicting and popular even with picky eaters, big and small. And, if you add in the Halloween gross-out factor and call them hairy eyeballs, your Yummy will probably be super excited to make them with you.
Don’t worry. You can revamp them come Winter and call them snowball brownies. Mmm.
Vegan Chocolate Brownie Bites
*3 c. dates (Medjool are luscious)
*2 c. pecans halves
*1 1/2- 2 c. cocoa powder
*1 t. vanilla
*1 c. shredded unsweetened dried coconut
*macadamia nuts, etc. for the center
* a bowl of water to wet your hands
Measure the dates, pecans, cocoa powder, and vanilla with your mini-chef. Big Person can place the mixture into a food processor. Secure the lid well, and have your mini-chef turn on the processor. Let it run till the mixture forms a paste that starts to stick to the blade and come away from the sides.
Big Person: Transfer the cocoa-date mixture to a large bowl. Place a bit of the coconut onto a large plate and have a platter waiting for the finished brownie bites. Fill a wide, shallow bowl with water.
Together Again: Wet your hands well, pick up a big glob of the date mixture and roll it into a ball with your hands. Roll the ball in the coconut. Press a macadamia nut into the center of each ball. Re-wet your hands. Roll out all of the mixture in this way.
Leave the brownie bites out on the serving platter for a few hours or overnight to dry out. Serve.
