Decadent Raw Vegan Brownie Recipe — No-Bake Chocolate Squares

These deliciously fudgy raw vegan brownies are made with only five ingredients! The perfect effortless dessert!

Whenever I meet new people, I have this awkward habit of asking about their hobbies. My friends tease me about it, but it’s a great way to learn what someone values in their free time. With so many of us moving at a fast pace, spare time becomes precious and people are selective about how they spend it. For me it’s a constant juggling act — work, training, my dog Ivy, this blog, exercise, friends and family, and yoga teacher training. Although I work full time in finance, I treat this blog like a part-time job because of the effort I put into it. That makes the moments I truly consider “free” feel even more meaningful.

So today I’m flipping the script and sharing some of my hobbies (besides making and eating delicious vegan food!).

1// READING // Reading is probably my favorite thing to do. I read at least an hour every day, usually while I eat. This began in childhood — after school I always had a snack and read. That habit stuck, and it sometimes feels strange to eat without a book. I once brought my Kindle into a local dive bar on vacation, ordered a cider and snacks, and read for dinner. The bartender may have thought I was odd, but life’s too short not to enjoy what you love.

2// ICE SKATING + ROLLERBLADING // I’m not great at traditional team sports, but I’ve always been drawn to alternative physical activities like yoga, ultimate frisbee, rock climbing, and figure skating. I took figure skating lessons as a kid and progressed well until an accident at 11 left me with a broken wrist and out of the sport for a while. I was hesitant to return, but in college I joined the figure skating club and it was one of the best decisions I made. I met wonderful people and improved my skills. I even started rollerblading to practice on pavement. Now I try to get to public skating sessions and go out on my blades whenever I can.

3// COOKING SHOWS // I’m obsessed with cooking shows. I’ve watched many seasons of Iron Chef America and love shows like The Next Iron Chef, Chopped, Cupcake Wars, Good Eats (I’m an Alton Brown fan), and Cutthroat Kitchen. A favorite memory: Donatella Arpaia once favorited an Instagram of mine and I nearly fainted from excitement.

4// HIKING + LAKE SWIMMING + BROOK STOMPING + BEING IN NATURE // I grew up in a small New England farm town and was fortunate to be surrounded by forests, ponds, and hiking trails. Living in the city now, I miss open spaces and get back to nature whenever possible. I regularly visit New Hampshire with my parents to enjoy rolling hills and wide green fields. I love swimming in lakes, reservoirs, and kettle ponds — but my absolute favorite is brook stomping. I learned it at camp: find a shallow brook, step on smooth stones, feel cool water over your feet, and enjoy the peaceful forest sounds. Just thinking about it makes me happy.

Those are some of my hobbies—now, onto these raw vegan brownies. I had friends taste-test them, and one reaction went like this:

“It doesn’t really taste like a brownie.” Pause. “It’s actually pretty good. Can I have another one?”

They ended up eating several, and although some insisted these aren’t traditional brownies, I disagree. These are nutty, chocolatey, decadently healthy treats. They don’t mimic a conventional brownie exactly, but they deliver intense flavor and a satisfying texture while using wholesome ingredients. Eating something that’s both tasty and gentle on the stomach is the best combination — happy taste buds plus a happy belly equals pure joy.

Dog of the Day:

My pup Ivy! Silly puppy — cacao isn’t for dogs.

P.S.

If you make these raw vegan brownies, tag me on Instagram @wellandfull so I can see your creations!