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Raw, good-for-you, brownies… sign me up!

These tasty mint chocolate brownie bars are so good- and they’re easy to make because they don’t require the oven (which also means some of the nutrients are better retained due to no cooking).

In this recipe we used mint as a flavoring agent, but you could also use vanilla, or coffee beans- whatever your preference! I usually have these on hand in the freezer (yep, I like to store them in the freezer) to have as a quick and tasty mid-afternoon snack. In one version of the recipe I even put matcha in the mixture- so it gave me a little bump of energy (but not something I repeat regularly!).

Try this recipe out and enjoy!

Raw Mint Chocolate Brownie Bars

Prep time: 10 minutes

Total time: 30-40 minutes

Makes: 8-10 brownies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
• 1 1/2 cup whole cashews
• 1 Tbsp coconut oil
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (could use vegan to make these bars vegan)
• 3 dates
• 3-4 drops peppermint oil

Directions:

1. Place all ingredients into a food processor and blend together- until homogenous (consistency will become smooth and creamy).

2. Pour the ingredients of the blender into a glass baking dish- like a Pyrex.

3. Top the brownie batter with additional coconut flakes.

4. Store in the freezer for 20-25 minutes.

5. Remove from the freezer and cut the hard batter into square sized bars and enjoy!

Want more recipes like this? Click here!

Today, I have a new and exciting coffee drink for you – a Middle Eastern Iced Coffee with Homemade Cardamom Vanilla Syrup.

It’s inspired by a coffee on the menu at Cocoa and Cinnamon in my hometown, Durham, NC.

We’re going to make an easy syrup that’s infused with exotic cardamom and vanilla bean (recipe below at the bottom of this post).

Then pour that sweet syrup into your homemade cold brew coffee with a splash of rosewater.

You’ll adjust the amount of both the Homemade Cardamom Vanilla Syrup and rosewater to taste. If you don’t like it very sweet you can even double the amount of cardamom and vanilla when you make the syrup.

That way you can get all the flavor with less syrup and sugar.

Try it with this homemade vanilla extract, or you can use storebought or even vanilla beans.

The most surprising part is that I don’t actually use non-dairy milk or creamer in this one. But, of course, you can add it if you want to, it’s your coffee!

I love coffee that’s bold, smooth, and never bitter. That’s why I choose a dark roast like Dunkin’ Dark® coffee to pair with this cardamom vanilla syrup.

I use homemade cold brew coffee in this recipe and most of my coffee recipes. It’s just so much cheaper to make your own cold brew coffee and ridiculously easy too.

Just put some ground coffee in your French Press fill with cold water and let sit 12 to 24 hours. Get the full directions to make cold brew in your French Press.

How do I make a Middle Eastern Iced Coffee with Homemade Cardamom Vanilla Syrup?

It’s so easy! Just fill a glass with ice, at least halfway with cold brew concentrate, then add the vanilla cardamom syrup to taste, and a splash of rosewater.

Then add non-dairy milk if you like, like homemade almond milk or oat milk. Mix well and enjoy!

Homemade Cardamom Vanilla Syrup

Yield:
32 servings

Prep Time:
5 minutes

Cook Time:
15 minutes

Total Time:
20 minutes

This is delicious in iced coffee, hot coffee, and even in tea and hot chocolate! You could use agave nectar or maple syrup in place of the sugar if you want.

Ingredients

• 30 whole green cardamom pods
• 1 cup vegan sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1 vanilla bean sliced in half, or 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Add all the ingredients into a small saucepan. Turn the heat to high and stir until the sugar starts to dissolve, then lower the heat to medium.
2. Keep cooking and stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool with the cardamom pods and vanilla still in the pot.
3. Once cool, strain and store in the fridge.

Nutrition Information

Yield 32

Serving Size 1

Amount Per Serving

Calories 26Total Fat 0gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 0mgCarbohydrates 6gFiber 0gSugar 6gProtein 0g

Nutrition information is provided from nutritionix.com as a close estimate. If you have specific health issues please put the recipe information, including the exact ingredients you use, into the nutritional calculator your Dr. recommends.

Did you make this recipe?

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