Fudgy Cacao Walnut Brownies are ultra-rich, moist, chewy, chocolaty and loaded with crunchy walnuts. It's an instant mood-booster and perfect treat to satisfy a sweet tooth! These brownies are loaded with SUPERFOODS, super healthy and totally guilt-free. Best walnut brownie recipe EVER!
Nothing says I love you like some delicious, bitter-sweet tasting chocolate treat. I know that many will agree with me on that one. Well, my hubby is a HUGE chocolate fan and romantic at heart. And he firmly believes in that theory. That's why I made him something very special - chocolaty, decadent and super delicious for this Valentine's Day.
Well, he deserved extra attention and dedication from me that day. Oh, you should see him on Valentine's morning, getting up early to make me a breakfast. He made Raspberry Chia Pudding and my favorite Matcha Green Tea Latte following instructions from my blog. Soooo super cute! And serving me this incredible feast IN BED was just the TOP feeling!
He also got me this cute little card with 'I love you to universe and back' note. 'We are the perfect pair. Like bacon and egg.' - he said. He instantly melted my heart. I love him so much! We are true soulmates.
Anyway, he made me feel so beautiful and so special that morning, so that's why later that day, I decided to prepare him something special too - his favorite dessert brownies.
Perhaps he expected Fudgy Cocoa Pomegranate Brownies or Chocolate Maca Tahini Brownies. But I was on a mission to surprise him with something NEW! I made him these decadent, rich tasting, Fudgy Cacao Walnut Brownies.They were a WINNER! These walnut brownies are delightful, delicious and beyond amazing.
He ate a whole plate mumbling in satisfaction. Even our kiddo joined the feast later on. They both agreed I should make these walnut brownies more often in the future. Honestly, I have no problem with that whatsoever. These brownies are one yummy treat!
To make these Fudgy Cacao Walnut Brownies I used ALL NATURAL and super healthy stuff - cacao powder, coconut oil, walnuts. I even tossed in some superfood maca powder. Not just for uplifting the overall brownie taste but for boosting Valentine's mood. Besides its powerful health benefits and antioxidant properties, maca is a powerful aphrodisiac too.
As for the preparation method, this time I used a bit different approach. I experimented with the process because I wanted to achieve special fudginess and chewiness, like in no other brownies I made before.
This new method turned out to be an absolute winner. Brownies came out soft, chewy, with a crusty top, and soft and chewy middle. In one word PERFECTION!
These brownies are loaded with superfoods and so healthy. I used raw cacao powder to make these brownies - not dark chocolate like it is usual in other brownie recipes. Raw cacao is loaded with minerals and powerful antioxidants. It also has this distinctive bitter-sweet deep chocolaty flavor that store-bought dark chocolate simply doesn't have. Making brownies with raw cacao gives this PURE unbeatable chocolate taste.
Also, raw cacao paired so nicely with earthy maca flavor. This combo is truly amazing. Add to that nutty flavor from walnuts and you got a true winner here.
Fudgy Cacao Walnut Brownies are ultra-rich, moist, chewy, chocolaty and loaded with crunchy walnuts. Delicious and so addictive. Best walnut brownie recipe EVER!
Enjoy!
Fudgy Cacao Walnut Brownies
Ingredients
- ½ cup extra virgin coconut oil melted and cooled
- ¾ cup coconut sugar
- ½ cup cacao powder
- 2 tablespoons maca powder optional
- ½ teaspoon Himalayan salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup whole grain flour I used oat flour
- ½ cup walnuts chopped
Instructions
- Position an oven rack in the lower third of the oven and heat to 350F.
- Line the bottom of an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Melt coconut oil and leave it to cool to room temperature.
- In a medium-sized bowl combine cooled coconut oil, coconut sugar, sifted cacoa powder and maca powder. Add salt and stir well. Don’t worry if it looks crumbly; it will become smooth once you add the eggs and flour.
- Stir in the vanilla with a spatula. Then, add eggs, one at a time, stirring vigorously after each one.
- When the batter looks thick and well blended, add the flour and stir until fully combined.
- Stir in chopped walnuts and spread the batter evenly in lined baking pan.
- Bake 20 to 23 minutes (or until a toothpick inserted into the center come out almost clean). Note: Keep an eye on the brownies - don't overbake it.
- Remove from the oven and cool completely.
- Sprinkle with melted dark chocolate and bee pollen, if desired.
Notes
Keep in airtight container in fridge up to one week.
Freeze for up to three months.
Nutrition
If you're a fan of CACAO POWDER, check these recipes:
Chocolate Peanut Butter Chia Seed Pudding
Dark Chocolate Cherry Brownies
Chocolate Avocado Smoothie
Capri says
Cacao is one of my favorite superfoods! These brownies are delicious!
Jamie says
These are so delicious and decadent! It was so easy to make and it made my house smell amazing while it was baking. Definitely making this again!
Magali says
Straight up brownies recipe that is easy to follow and effective too! Thank you!
Jessica Formicola says
I'm a sucker for nuts in my brownies! These ones look delish and I can't wait to try them!
Kim says
Thank you for a healthier version brownie recipe
Sam says
These brownies were delicious! Can't wait to make them again!
Angela says
Can't wait to try these brownies! They look delicious.
Angela says
I was looking for something chocolatey and came across these brownies. So good!
Kathryn Donangelo says
These brownies were such a hit and we loved that they are healthy! Definitely going to make this again soon!
Jacque H. says
These brownies are right up my alley! I love how much crunch they have in them from the walnuts. I can't wait to bake these again very soon.
Pam says
Who would have thought brownies could be healthy-ish? You pulled it off beautifully!
Megan says
Perfect for someone like me who constantly craves chocolate, but tries to get a lot of superfoods into their diet
Heather Dunn says
I just wanted to add that if you use a 24 mini muffin tray and make brownie bites they're only 2 weight watchers points each.
Natalie says
Great! Thanks for sharing that information 😊✌
GP says
At the first bite, we thought "these taste kind of funny, the texture is off-putting". It was only operator error, we should have waited 'till they cooled to room temperature (as the instructions stated). Then they tasted fantastic and the texture improve greatly.
We like the strong chocolate flavor and the fact that they're not so full of sugar.
Christine says
For those of you looking for a review from someone who actually made these.. here it is! I made this recipe this evening and it was so easy - they were in the oven in 15 minutes with minimal clean-up. Great. The flavor is delicious, however, they are very easy to over-bake and get dry. I baked mine (correct rack and temp) for 19 minutes and I felt they were over-baked and dry. An easy save - the kids will love them with milk :) But, I recommend checking at ~18 minutes to see if a toothpick comes out clean then.
Natalie says
Thank you Christine for your honest feedback :)
Julian Cann says
Tastes bomb. Used ghee and almonds instead of coco oil and walnuts
fitoru says
I would love to try this recipe. Im sure my kids will love it.
Jo says
I so glad this brownie is healthy. Now who can resist a good healthy and decadent brownies!! Looks yummm
Dominique | Perchance to Cook says
DROOL. Fudgy brownies get me every single time. There really is nothing better than a warm fudgy brownie... except one with walnuts inside! These look so good. I'm craving one after looking at your photos!
Charity says
These are healthy? They don't look healthy! Does this mean I can have seconds? :-)
Chef Markus Mueller says
Yum! I haven't made brownies in a long time! Might be time to! I'm sure my wife and daughter won't complain 😂
michele says
I happened upon some Maca powder the other day and when I saw this recipe I came right home and made them. The texture is so perfect for a brownie... we seriously chowed on them... like they were gone in 2 days! So yummy!
Lauren says
So many good things!! I haven’t tried baking with cacao yet but I’m definitely looking forward to trying this recipe. They look so fudgy in the pictures, I bet they’re amazing once you’re finally biting into one!
Julie says
I love when decadently gooey things are also not bad for me! We have a gluten-free/dairy-free friend coming over for dinner this weekend and I can't wait to give these a try!
Jenni LeBaron says
I love a good brownie recipe and these look super natural and clean, which makes me happy. I imagine these are a spectacular treat when you need a little pick me up in the week.
Analida Braeger says
Yummm. Get me a glass of milk. I love a fresh tray of brownies, probably one of my favorite classic desserts.
Kiki Johnson says
I just ordered some Maca Power - what a great coincidence! I hadn't even planned on using them for my baking but now these brownies are definitely going on the to-bake list!
Denise says
These brownies sound and look amazing! Truthfully, I have never met a brownie I didn't like! What a sweet treat to share with your Valentines!
Gloria says
Now, this is the kind of brownie I like. It has NUTS and NO frosting. Hubby and I always this debate. I prefer brownies this way for sure.
Emmeline says
These brownies look SO yummy! I've never made any other brownies than my go-to brownie recipe (which I've made since I was 10...) but this makes me want to try a new one - yours specifically!!
Swathi says
I am yet to bake brownie with cacao and Maca powder. Looks delicious, this is ultimate guilt free dessert.
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
What a beautiful texture of the brownie! I love the addition of healthy whole grain flours. I have 2 boys and a husband who are chocolate lovers and they would love this.
Pavani says
Wow, such fudgy, chocolaty and delicious looking brownies these are. Love how you include healthy and nutritious ingredients to make these guilt-free.
Valentina says
Makes perfect sense that everyone want you to make these often! They look and sound great, and I love baking with oat flour. Lovely!
Tracy says
You're so right! The way to my husband's heart is chocolate, too! Mine is popcorn ;)
Jillian says
Fudgy brownies are my favorite! And these are healthy too - you just made me the happiest person alive!!
Gloria says
I know my husband would LOVE this recipe. He is a chocolate nut. I love that this recipe is HEALTHY. Means he can eat more right LOL!!
Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
My favorite brownies! I love how fudgy these are and walnuts make them pretty special!