karyosmond.com

The first time I went to visit my new baby niece, my brother's mother-in-law put out a plate of brownies to go with our tea. To me, the squares looked like healthy brownies. If I wasn't so hungry, I would have been polite and asked about the healthy brownie recipe. Instead, I dove in.

They have a fudge-like consistency. Their sweetness comes from the dried dates, which is balanced by the dried cranberries. The cocoa powder adds a dark sophisticated richness, and the grounded nuts add texture. There is coconut oil in the recipe, which acts as a binder to hold the brownies together.

If you have a food processor, you have to try this recipe! If you don't have one, find a friend who does! You don't want to miss out on these little squares of energy.

Healthy Brownies

Serves 10 to 15

1 cup dried dates, pitted (about 21)

1/2 cup dried figs, hard tip removed (about 10)

3/4 cup almonds

1/4 to 1/3 cup dried cranberries

3 tablespoons cocoa powder

2 tablespoons coconut oil

1. Line a 5-by-7- inch container with plastic wrap, allowing it to overhang by 5 inches on opposite ends.

2. Place dates and figs in the food processor, and blend until the dates have been chopped into small pieces.

3. Add almonds, dried cranberries, cocoa powder and coconut oil. Blend until the mixture resembles a fine crumb.

4. Transfer the mixture into the lined container. Fold plastic wrap over to cover mixture, and press with the palm of your hand to compact. Using a meat mallet or the bottom of a cup, press the mixture down until it won't compact any further. Place in the fridge for 1 hour.

5. Lift the brownie out using the excess plastic wrap, unwrap and cut into bite sized pieces. Serve or keep tightly wrapped in the fridge.

Tasty tips

--Choose loose dried dates; not the kind that compressed into a solid brick. The dates should be slightly soft when pressed.

--To save time, choose dried dates that are already pitted.

--Almonds can be substituted with any kind of nut or seed: walnuts, pecans, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, etc.

--Dried cranberries can be substituted with for dried cherries.

--The tighter you compress the mixture, the better it will stay together.

--Although I say a 5-by-7-inch container, you can use anything that's roughly that size: a takeout food container, Tupperware or a wide shallow bowl will do.

(Kary Osmond is a Canadian recipe developer and former television host of the popular daytime cooking show "Best Recipes Ever." Her easy recipes include helpful tips to guide you along the way, and her love of plant-based cooking offers healthy alternatives to some of your favorite dishes. Learn more at www.karyosmond.com.)