Date Brownies are the ultimate no-bake treat! These 4-ingredient brownies are quick, fudgy, soft, and chewy, with no refined sugars.

Date Brownies stacked on top of each other.

Date Brownies

I’ve been hooked on dates ever since making those date “rolos” and chocolate covered dates.

Once you discover how dates taste like caramel and naturally sweeten recipes, it’s hard to stop experimenting. That’s exactly what happened here—I set out to create a refined sugar-free brownie, and these exceeded all my expectations.

They taste like a rich dessert but are made with simple ingredients that fuel your body.

All the ingredients in this recipe prepped out for easy assembly.

Ingredients

  • Medjool Dates: Use very soft, fresh ones. If your dates are firm, soak in boiling water and drain well.
  • Almond Butter: Stir well before using. Choose your fave roasted almond butter.
  • Dutch Process Cocoa Powder: Dutch cocoa powder is best.
  • Salt: Brings out flavors and balances sweetness.
  • Mini Chocolate Chips: Adds fun flavor and texture, but you can leave these out.

Optional Topping

  • Chocolate Chips: Any type works. I like dark chocolate.
  • Coconut Oil: Helps chocolate melt smoothly.
How to make date brownies by adding all the ingredients to a food processor.

How To Make Date Brownies

  1. Prep Pan: Line a bread pan with parchment, leaving some extra hanging over.
  2. Blend: Blend dates and almond butter in a food processor until smooth.
  3. Mix: Add cocoa and salt, blend until well mixed. Add chocolate chips if desired.
  4. Press: Firmly press the mixture into the prepared pan.
  5. Make Topping: Melt chocolate with oil in microwave, stirring until smooth. Pour over mixture and tap pan to even it out.
  6. Refrigerate: Chill until firm, about 1 hour. Cut and enjoy!
The no bake recipe pressed into a bread pan and chocolate being spread on top.

Tips When Making Date Brownies

  • Use Fresh Dates: Fresh, soft dates blend easily and deliver a chewier texture.
  • Blend Well: Blend the mixture until smooth for the best texture. This takes some patience!
  • Press Evenly: Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the pan.
  • Smooth Topping: When melting chocolate for the topping, heat in short bursts and stir often to prevent burning.
  • Cut Cleanly: Use a sharp knife heated under hot water and dried before cutting for clean slices.
One of the date brownies being held up showing the delicious insides.

Storage

Storage

Return any leftovers to an airtight container and store in the fridge.

More EASY Treats:

5 from 1 vote

Date Brownies

Date Brownies are the best nutritious, no-bake treat ever! These 4-ingredient brownies are quick to make and free of refined sugars. They’re fudgy, soft, and chewy.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Chilling Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 12 brownies

Equipment

  • Mini food processor
  • Bread pan 8.5 x 4.5-inch
  • Parchment paper

Ingredients 
 

Optional Topping

  • 1 cup chocolate chips use dark, semi-sweet, or milk
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil

Instructions 

  • Line an 8.5×4.5-inch bread pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal. Set aside.
  • Add dates and almond butter to a mini food processor and pulse until dates are evenly chopped. Scrape sides as needed; this takes some patience!
  • Add cocoa powder and salt. Pulse until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Take your time; there shouldn’t be any chunks!
  • If desired, add mini chocolate chips and pulse to integrate. Transfer mixture to prepared bread pan and press it down firmly into an even layer.
  • Optional Topping: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips and coconut oil. Microwave in 15-second bursts, stirring between each burst, until smooth. Once smooth, pour over the bars and tap the pan a few times to even out the chocolate layer.
  • Refrigerate the pan until firm, about 1 hour.
  • Let the bars stand at room temperature for 10 minutes. Use a sharp, hot knife (run under hot water and dry with a towel) to make decisive cuts through the bars. Enjoy!

Video

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Medjool dates must be fresh and soft! 
Note 2: I don’t recommend using plain cocoa powder; it will make the brownies dry and less flavorful. Hershey’s® Special Dark cocoa powder is easy to find at most grocery stores. Don’t pack it into measuring cups.
Note 3: The better the flavor of the almond butter, the better the brownies taste. I prefer dry-roasted and lightly salted almond butter.
Storage: Return any leftovers to an airtight container and store in the fridge.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 160kcal | Carbohydrates: 22.7g | Protein: 3.7g | Fat: 8g | Sodium: 94.9mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 18.1g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Meet Chelsea


Hello, and welcome to Chelseaโ€™s Messy Apron! Iโ€™m Chelsea, the recipe developer, food photographer, and writer behind the site. Iโ€™m passionate about creating simple, reliable, and delicious recipes that anyone can make.

Thanks for stopping byโ€”I hope you find something delicious to make!

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1 Comment

  1. calliehowellhubert says:

    5 stars
    As Chelsea’s employee I have made these Date Brownies and WOW! They are so good! And couldn’t be easier to make!