These healthy raw vegan brownies are made with nutrient-rich hemp hearts, naturally sweetened, and topped with avocado fudge frosting.

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These raw vegan brownies with avocado frosting are a deliciously fudgy healthy dessert 

As a registered dietitian, I firmly believe that eating is about satisfying both your soul and your body. Which is why I’m all about listening and honoring your cravings rather than pushing them away. 

Sometimes our cravings are telling us that we haven’t gotten enough of a certain nutrient that day. While other times it’s our body’s way of saying that it’s stressed and could use a little TLC. 

That’s where these fudgy no-bake hemp seed brownies come in. 

These raw vegan brownies are not only fudgy and chocolatey, but they’re packed full of nutrient-rich ingredients. Talk about a win-win! Let me show you how to make them!

Why you’ll love this recipe

• No-bake.
• Rich in beneficial nutrients.
• Fudgy and chocolatey.
• Quick to make.
• Vegan & gluten free.
• Kid-friendly. 

Nutritional benefits of hemp seeds 

Despite their tiny size, hemp seeds are impressively rich in several important nutrients. 

For example, just 1 tablespoon of shelled hemp seeds (also called hemp hearts) contains: 

• 3 grams of protein
• 17% of the daily value for magnesium
• 13% of the daily value for phosphorus
• 9% of the daily value for zinc 

The magnesium in hemp hearts is one of my favorite qualities as magnesium has been shown to help with sleep and anxiety.

Plus, they also provide the ideal ratio of omega-3’s to omega-6s! 

>>Learn more about the benefits of hemp seeds and tips for buying and storing in my ingredient guide. 

Ingredient notes and substitutions for raw vegan brownies

• Medjool dates: The base for these no-bake treats are medjool dates. You want to use ones that are still nice and chewy (there are tips below on how to rehydrate dry ones). I haven’t tried this recipe with other types of dates or figs. 
• Hemp hearts: Look for hemp hearts or shelled hemp seeds. I recommend buying them in bulk online and storing them in your freezer to increase shelf-life. 
• Unsweetened cocoa powder: Option to use unsweetened cocoa powder or raw cacao powder. Cacao is less processed and contains higher levels of antioxidants and magnesium. But it’s also more expensive. 
• Unsweetened shredded coconut: Trust me, even if you don’t like coconut still include it! The coconut helps thicken these no-bake brownies, but doesn’t result in a noticeable coconut flavor. I used unsweetened, but for a sweeter treat you can use sweetened. 
• Plant-based yogurt: You want to use a yogurt that’s on the thicker side. As a result, I’ve found that most almond milk-based yogurts don’t work great as they tend to be more watery. Instead, my go-to for this recipe is Silk Plain Soy Yogurt. But feel free to try an oat milk or coconut milk-based product.
• Vegan dark chocolate chips: For a little extra chocolate, we’re also blending some vegan dark chocolate into the mix as well. My go-to brand is Enjoy Life as it’s free of all major allergens. 
• Vanilla extract: I recommend using pure vanilla extract for best flavor. 
• Salt: Just a pinch to help bring out the flavors of the chocolate. 

What you’ll need to make the vegan chocolate avocado frosting

• Avocado: You’ll need a medium ripe avocado. If you’re allergic or don’t like avocados, make my chocolate date frosting instead. 
• Maple syrup: I haven’t tried this recipe with another sweetener. If you want to try something different, just make sure it’s also a liquid sweetener. 
• Unsweetened cocoa powder: As mentioned above, feel free to use unsweetened cocoa powder or raw cacao powder.
• Pure vanilla extract: Just a little splash for flavor. 
• Cinnamon: I recommend using ceylon cinnamon, but any cinnamon will work. And don’t worry: the cinnamon flavor isn’t very strong! 
• Salt: Just a pinch! 

How to make raw vegan brownies

1. Pulse the dates until you start to get a sticky paste.
2. Add in everything else, except for the chocolate chips. Pulse to combine. 
3. Add in the chocolate chips and pulse a few times to chop them up a bitt but not too much – trust me, finding little pockets of chocolate in your brownie is one of the best parts! 
4. Spread into a parchment paper-line baking pan. Frost, then freeze for 20 minutes.
5. Remove from the freezer, slice, and enjoy! 

Tip: soak your dates before pulsing

Unless you have a new bag of dates that are still nice and sticky, you’ll want to soak your dates in a bowl of hot water for 10 minutes before pulsing. This will result in a smoother texture. 

How to make the chocolate avocado frosting 

Making vegan avocado frosting couldn’t be easier! 

All you have to do is throw everything into a food processor or blender until smooth! Use immediately, or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. 

While once spread on top of another dessert you can freeze it, I don’t recommend freezing the frosting on it’s own. 

Ways to use up leftover healthy avocado frosting 

This recipe makes about 1 cup of frosting, so you’ll likely have some leftover — which isn’t a bad thing! 

Here are some ways to put it to good use: 

• Use it as a dip for strawberries, banana slices, or apples. 
• Spread it over your favorite vegan cake recipe. 
• Dip pretzels into it, then freeze on a baking sheet for 20 minutes or until set. 

How to store avocado-frosted raw vegan brownies

If frosted, store these brownies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days. To extend their shelf life, put them in the freezer. They should keep for 3 months. 

If not frosted, these bars will last for about 2 weeks in the fridge. 

More healthy no-bake dessert recipes to try 

• Cashew-based no-bake brownies with date frosting 
• No-Bake Fruit Pizza
• Chocolate Kahlua Tofu Mousse 
• Raw Tiramisu Bites from the Loopy Whisk 
• 5 Ingredient Homemade Snickers Bites from Bites of Wellness

If you tried this fudgy raw vegan brownie recipe or any other recipe on the blog let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment/rating below! 

Be sure to follow along on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook for even more deliciousness!

Print Recipe

Raw Vegan Brownies with Avocado Frosting

You'll love these healthy raw vegan brownies made with hemp hearts, naturally sweetened with maple syrup, and topped with avocado fudge frosting.

Prep Time15 mins

Total Time35 mins

Course: Dessert

Keyword: Hemp seed brownies, No-bake healthy brownie recipe, Raw Vegan Brownies

Servings: 16

Calories: 107kcal

Ingredients

For the brownies:

• 1 1/2 cups (240 grams) pitted Medjool dates softened (see blog post for tips)
• 9 tablespoons hemp hearts
• 4 1/2 tablespoons raw cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3 tablespoons shredded unsweetened coconut
• 1 1/2 tablespoons plain plant-based yogurt see post for recommendations
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup vegan dark chocolate chips like Enjoy Life
• 1 1/2 tablespoons water

For the avocado frosting:

• 1/2 medium ripe avocado
• 5 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• 1/4 cup raw cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Instructions

For the brownies:

• Cover the bottom of an 8×8 baking pan with parchment and set aside.
• Place soft dates in a food processor and pulse until chopped and starting to make a sticky paste.
• Add in hemp hearts, cacao powder, coconut, plant-based yogurt, vanilla extract, salt, and water. Pulse until mixture holds together when rolled into a ball.
• Add chocolate chips and pulse 2-3 times, or until fully incorporated.
• Using a rubber spatula, transfer mixture into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly. Add the avocado frosting on top (if using), then freeze for 20 minutes.
• After 20 minutes, slice into 16-20 pieces. Enjoy immediately. Brownies can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for up to 4 months.

For the frosting:

• If making the frosting, place avocado in a food processor or high-powered blender. Pulse until the avocado is mostly smooth.
• Add remaining ingredients and pulse until mixture is silky smooth. Spread over no-bake brownies. Note that you will likely have some frosting leftover.

Notes

Nutrition for 1/16 of just the brownies: 107 calories, 5 grams fat (2 grams saturated), 16 grams carb, 3 grams fiber, 12 grams sugar, 3 grams protein. 

 

Nutrition for approximately 1 tablespoon of avocado frosting: 30 calories, 1 gram fat (0 grams saturated), 5 grams carb, 1 gram fiber, 4 grams sugar, 0 grams protein. 

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