Vegan Chocolate Peppermint Rawnola (RAW Granola) Chewy and Fudgy
Rawnola is one of the latest “foodie” trends that I have recently stumbled across and become a borderline addict of. Ouuuu man, I can happily tell you that this was the greatest “stumble” of my life lol. This cross of typical granola and chewy, caramel-like dates is truly the combination you have been missing out on your entire life.😂 Rawnola clusters are like magical cookie dough bites that SOMEHOW contain only whole, nutritious ingredients making it okay to jam pack it into any recipe you can think of (or heck, eat it all by itself. Sometimes solo is better).
There are so many uses for rawnola. It is great on anything typical granola is good on like yogurt, smoothie bowls, with milk, etc. You will most likely have no problem using up the whole portion of rawnola this recipe makes in no time. You may even want to double or even triple the recipe.
As I’ve mentioned, rawnola resembles a cookie dough texture and flavor, so just imagine the magicalness (is that a word? Idk) that is created when cocoa powder is added!!!😱 I can tell you it is something heavenly. Just adding cocoa powder would certainly be enough to get anyone hooked, but, since Christmas is coming up, it is a necessity to add a holiday flair to it! That, my friends, is how peppermint extract comes into play. Just think of classic peppermint hot chocolate morphing with gooey cookie dough. THAT is what this stuff tastes like! Sounds pretty exciting, right? Well, it is.
Vegan Chocolate Peppermint Rawnola (RAW Granola)
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup old fashion oats
- 1/3 cup packed, pitted dates (roughly 7 dates)
- 3 Tablespoons cacao powder (or cocoa for a non-raw alternative)
- 1/2-1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional Additives: dried coconut, flaxseed, nuts or anything else you would like to include
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Soak the dates in warm water for at least 10 minutes or until soft and tender. Add them to a food processor and pulse several times until chunks form.
2. Add the rest of the ingredients and continue lightly pulsing until clusters form and it resembles granola chunks. Take the blade out and stir with your hands to further mix the ingredients if needed (don’t proceed to blend or it will become too powdery). If it is too dry, add water from the soaked dates 1 tablespoons at a time until it is soft but not moist.
3. Store in an airtight container and enjoy with anything traditional granola is good on.
Notes
* If the mixture is too dry, add more dates or water that the dates soaked in to help it form. If it is too wet add more oats.
* if you have over processed the mix, you can always form into 1-inch “fudge” balls and enjoy in that form.
