No-Bake Vegan Turtle Brownies

These two layered no-bake vegan turtle brownies are such a crowd pleaser! This brownie is so gooey and chocolatey, we promise you won’t miss the eggs and butter. 

This recipe is raw, no bake, and makes for a great summer recipe when you’re trying to keep temps down and ovens off. 

So what is a raw brownie? Well, remember when you would buy raw cookie dough at the store and just eat it out of the package? Kind of like that, except no processed dough and no salmonella risk from eating undercooked eggs.

We use ingredients that don’t need to be baked through and, when combined, become the texture of a perfectly baked brownie.

Okay, okay… we’ll tell you what’s in them.

Layer 1

• Raw walnuts and almonds: We know not everyone is a nuts-in-their-brownies type but they are essential to the structural integrity of these brownies! The nuts in the bottom brownie layer are the only non-gooey ingredient and help the brownies form up. You can certainly experiment with other nuts like hazelnuts for a more ferrero-rocher flavor. We don’t recommend pistachios here.
• Medjool dates: These are the star of the show! If you haven’t started using dates in your desserts, this recipe will help you see why you should. They provide sweetness from a natural, unprocessed source and have a caramel-like flavor and texture. They are a must in no-bake desserts! You can use another date varietal like Deglet which is also common in US grocery stores. Medjools tend to be larger and more decadent so if you can find them, this is preferred. 
• Cocoa powder: This is what makes these truly taste like a brownie.
• Vanilla extract: Enhances flavor and adds warmth to these brownies.

Layer 2

• More dates: This makes up the bulk of the caramel layer of the turtle brownies and as mentioned before, dates have a very “caramel-like quality” to them. You’ll see what we mean.
• Water: Because this layer is meant to mimic a caramel, we want it to be a little smoother and spreadable. Dates can be sticky, especially once blended so the water here is essential to getting the desired texture.
• Vanilla extract and salt: for flavor enhancement.

We top ours with pecans and chocolate chips for a true turtle brownie vibe but feel free to add (or omit) any toppings you like.

No-bake desserts are so much fun to make with minimal clean up. These no-bake turtle brownies are special because they are made without any added sugar (if you leave out the chocolate chips) but certainly satisfy the biggest sweet tooth. We hope you enjoy!

No-Bake Vegan Turtle Brownies

These no-bake vegan turtle brownies are a no added sugar chocolate-y dessert!

No ratings yet

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Freeze Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 9 brownies

Calories 285 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

Brownies

• ¾ cup raw walnuts
• ¾ cup raw almonds
• 1¼ cup medjool dates, packed
• ¼ cup cocoa powder
• ¼ tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp salt

Caramel

• 1 cup medjool dates, packed
• 2-4 tbsp water, as needed
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp salt

Toppings

• ¼ cup crushed pecans
• ¼ cup dairy-free mini chocolate chips

Instructions

 

• For the brownie layer: add walnuts, almonds, pitted medjool dates, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and salt to a food processor. Pulse until a sticky brownie dough is formed.
  
• Line a square baking dish with parchment paper. Use hands/spatula to press the dough across the base of the dish.
  
• For the caramel layer: add pitted medjool dates, vanilla extract, salt, and water as needed to a food processor. Pulse until a smooth spread is formed.
  
• Spread the caramel across the brownie layer. Then, add crushed pecans on top. Next, add mini chocolate chips on top. Gently press them over the pecans.
  
• Freeze the turtle brownies for 1 hour. After, slice and serve.
  

Nutrition

Serving: 1 brownieCalories: 285kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 6gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 134mgPotassium: 434mgFiber: 6gSugar: 29gVitamin A: 70IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 76mgIron: 2mg

Keyword almonds, brownies, dates, pecans, walnuts

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!