No-Bake Chocolate Date Brownies with Pistachios

Sugar ends up in a lot of our baking recipes – some people even say too much of it, but hey, we're called Zucker&Jagdwurst, after all – and Zucker is German for sugar. So it might be a bit surprising that sugar doesn't show up in today's ingredient list, right? But we've heard you and your wish for recipes with less sugar. It just sometimes takes a little longer to get there, because we want the result to convince us and taste just as good. After a few rounds of tinkering, we're happy and proud to present these date chocolate brownies today. They taste wonderfully cakey and delicious, yet you only need 5 ingredients and not even an oven. 

These 5 Ingredients Are All You Need

 For the dough, dates, nuts of your choice, chocolate, and a pinch of salt go into the food processor, which does most of the work. To make sure the result turns out cakey rather than dry, you should soak the dates in hot water for 10–15 minutes first. As mentioned, we went through a few rounds of test cooking, and this little extra step was truly the game changer for us. We top the date-nut layer with a silky, creamy ganache made from chocolate and vegan cream. You can dig into the brownies right away, but if you're after an extra crunch, feel free to sprinkle some chopped pistachios and flaky sea salt on top. 

Why Dates, Anyway? 

Dates are naturally sweet, provide energy, and are packed with fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins. In many cultures of the regions where they're grown, such as North Africa or the Arabian Peninsula, dates have traditionally had a firm place beyond the kitchen, too. They're often eaten by pregnant women, for example, or used as a home remedy for fever, since they're said to be anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. In our recipe, they don't just add sweetness to the brownies – they're also the base of the dough layer. By the way, there are hundreds of different date varieties that differ in taste, size, and texture. The best known are the Medjool date, also called the „king date“, and the Deglet Nour, the „fingers of light“. 

The Secret to the Best Brownies?

Chocolate! Since chocolate is one of the main ingredients in our brownies, it's especially important to go for a good one. We used the Fine Dark Date Sugar 80 % by VIVANI. What makes it perfect for this recipe? It doesn't contain any granulated sugar and is sweetened exclusively with ground dates instead. Like all VIVANI chocolates, it's made only with certified organic ingredients. Luckily, you don't have to search long for it, because it's now also available at dm (a German drugstore chain). 

Which Nuts Work Best?

To be honest, you can go by taste here. Walnuts bring a slightly bitter note, almonds make the layer a bit milder, and hazelnuts go particularly well with chocolate. You can of course mix them, so just use whatever's in your pantry. 

If you're in the mood for more no-bake recipes, check out our no-bake chocolate date tart, too.