You know sometimes when you wake up in the morning and you want a brownie?
This is how you can have one! Huzzah!
I make nut butter all the time, usually roasted almond with flax – it’s my go-to everyday spread. But last year I up and made Almond Joy Butter and it kind of blew my mind. Candy bar on toast? Yes, please.
Minor ingredient adjustments can have a huge flavor payoff in spreads. Proof? This fool-proof brownie batter spread that tastes just like a fudgy brownie. For the win.
This spread requires just 6 ingredients you likely already have on hand!
Walnuts (or pecans)
Almonds
Dark chocolate
Cocoa or cacao powder
Dates
Salt
And it comes together in 30 minutes entirely in the food processor. Less mess, less time, less grocery shopping. That’s our motto.
This spread is thicker than your average nut butter, which can be a little runy at times. Not this. It’s thick, mega chocolatey, and reminiscent of a thick, fudgy brownie. You’re going to love this spread. It’s:
Thick
Spreadable
Ultra chocolaty
Fudgy
Nutty
Brownie-infused
Super smooth
& Perfect on anything and everything
Toast? Yes.
Pancakes? Yes.
Fruit? Yes.
Waffles? Hells yes.
Dream your little heart out. This brownie batter magic in a jar goes on everything.
If you make this recipe, take a picture and tag it #minimalistbaker on Instagram! I love seeing when you make our recipes. Also, share it on Pinterest! It’s my personal favorite place for saving/sharing recipes.
Thanks for following and supporting what we do. We kinda love you guys. Cheers!
Brownie Batter Spread
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups raw almonds
- 1 cup raw walnuts (or sub pecans)
- 1/3 cup dates (pitted // if dry, soak in warm water for 10 minutes then drain well)
- 1/2 cup dairy-free bittersweet or dark chocolate chips
- 1 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa or cacao powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (176 C).
- Spread nuts evenly on a baking sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until slightly golden brown and beginning to crack. Set aside to cool.
- While the nuts are baking, add dates to a food processor and blend until a paste or ball forms. Scrape out and set aside.
- Add slightly cooled nuts to food processor and mix until a butter forms, scraping down sides as needed.
- Add chocolate chips and put the lid back for 1 minute to melt, then blend thoroughly.
- Add salt, cocoa or cacao powder and mix once more.
- Lastly, add in date paste a little at a time until it reaches a spreadable thick batter. (Save any remaining date paste for other nut butters, to sweeten smoothies or oatmeal, etc.) Blend thoroughly, then transfer to a jar. If you refrigerate, it will get hard, so I recommend leaving it at room temp (kind of like you would nutella).
Video
Notes
*Recipe makes ~1 1/4 cups
prashanthi atluri says
Does this include a video?
Yes, you can find it here.
Amanda T. says
I’ve been trying to do a pantry clean-up so I made a double batch. It’s delious I can’t wait to try it on everything! I did have to add a little oil so I could blend the nuts but that was the only change that was made. Ill definitely make again! Thank you!
We’re so glad you enjoy it, Amanda! Thank you for sharing your experience! xo
Connor says
This was absolutely delightful and we’re actually making it again after…4 days because we want more and to share with family. So easy to make and that makes it even more dangerous because it’s even easier to eat.
Amazing! We’re so glad you enjoy it, Connor. Thank you for the lovely review!
Leigh says
The taste is delicious! I could not get it to a spread consistency so I added plant based milk and also a little vanilla. After that, it thinned with no problem. Any other suggestions to make it not so thick and clumpy? I tried initially in my vitamix and then transferred to a food processor.
Hi Leigh! That’s tricky, did you happen to make any modifications to the ingredients before adding the milk and vanilla?
Lourdes says
Hi, I have no food processor, only a hand blender and is literally impossible to turn this into a battery Cream. Please advise. Thanks
Hi Lourdes, unfortunately a food processor is key for this recipe! The next best option would be an upright blender.
Katie says
I started making this and, like others, somehow missed the step to remove the dates from the blender before adding in the nuts. It took forever but I finally got a crumbly version of what was suppose to happen. After re-reading through the comments and instructions I decided to take out half the mixture and added in about a 1/2 cup of store bought almond butter and it did the trick!! Saved the recipe! So now I still have half the batter left to make truffles with or future Brownie spread :) If you run into this problem and by chance have some almond butter on hand, I hope this helps!
Manca says
Hey there, before I give the recipe a try – do you think it could be a good idea to melt chocolate chips first before transferring it to the blender together with other specified ingredients? I suppose this could make the spread more runny, however I am not sure. I would be glad to hear your thoughts on my idea.;-.) Thank you so much. Best regards.
Hi Manca, that should work well! Hope you love it!
Sonya La Penna says
If I don’t have any walnuts or pecans, can I sub more almonds?
I think that should work!
Barbara says
Can a bullet be used to make the spreads?
Hi Barbara! It might be a bit more difficult, and require patience but it could work!
Sooyoung says
Love all your recipes and dying to try all your granola bar-esque recipes, what food processor do you recommend/use? Thanks and thank you for all the tasty recipes!
Amanda says
Hi, Dana! So I made this recipe as of this afternoon in my blender, and I gots a few questions! Is this recipe okay to do in a blender instead of a food processor? After I toasted the almonds and walnuts (I used black), I let them cool and whirled them up in the blender, but they turned into powder instead of a butter…then I added water and they got stuck in the blender :/ In the end, I did get a brownie batter spread and I do quite like it, but its a little crunchy because of my nut butter issue…if you have any suggestions, that’d be great! :)
Also, could I substitute with store bought almond butter?
Hi AManda! Keep going past that “powdery” stage, you’re almost to the butter stage. Just keep scraping down the sides. Adding water will definitely not benefit this recipe – it seizes up the nuts! Better luck next time!
Jocelyn says
HOLY MOLY this is amazing! I am enjoying it on hot whole wheat toast with an ice cold glass of almond milk. What a treat! The hubby LOVES it.
Maria says
So I put everything in my food processor without reading the recipe first (stupid) and now it’s been blending for a very long time, but it doesn’t seem to become batter-like at all. I now realise this is because I put the dates in at the same time, but do you think it will ever become a batter at all, or should I just stop blending it and make them into brownie bites or something instead?
Yuliya says
I tried it today and loved the result! Though I admit, I snuck in 2 teaspoons of Mozart Dark Chocolate liqueur to make the consistency a little more buttery (and adult) and it definitely added to the texture and flavour ;)
Nice! Glad you enjoyed it, Yuliya!
Luisa says
This looks soo delicious! Do you think it will work with a blender instead of a frood processor? Sadly I don’t own one, but a brandnew Kitchen Aid Blender which is waiting for its testing!
Yes! It should work, but it will take a little more patience. Good luck!
Luisa says
It worked very well and was oh so delicious!! I was a little ( a lot) amazed how the nuts turned into butter :D
v.v. says
do you think it would work without walnuts- just doubling the almonds?
I think so, but it will take a little more blending since almonds are sturdier than walnuts. Let me know how it goes!
Lauly says
This recipe is just perfect!!!
Thank you so much, your are such a big inspiration!
Thanks Lauly!! xoxo
Molly says
Hi!!!
I love your recipes. I was just looking for something to make with my sister while I watch her tonight and I think she’ll love this!!! I also just noticed that you don’t have a search bar and I’m writing a comment here to suggest that, or tags. It would make finding different recipes easier! Thank you for all the delicious recipes you post and the thought you put into it
Alisha Harder says
what would you recommend for substituting the almonds? Can any nut do?
Yes! I think walnuts and pecans would work especially well.
Katie says
Could I sub in pecans for the walnuts and do 1.5 cups pecans and 1 cup walnuts?
Chris vanaagten says
Pinned a few yummy recipes of yours, finally getting to look at ingredients. Our daughter is supposed to avoid gluten, cows milk, peanuts only :) and a few other random foods. So finding you has been amazing. I love to bake and it’s expensive to buy GF pre packaged foods. I like to know what we are eating. So finding your flour mixture has been great.
Do you have a soft tortilla recipe? Being she’s a teen that’s a must!
Thank you :}
Hi Chris! I don’t have a soft tortilla recipe yet that’s gluten free. I know some other bloggers have amazing homemade corn tortilla recipes. As well, I’m pretty sure Udi’s makes a GF “flour” tortilla that I’ve tried and really liked!
Meg @ The Housewife in Training Files says
My mind is going in a million directions with this butter! Whoa! This is definitely happening in my kitchen. Win!
Laura says
What brand of food processor can you recommend me? mine is dead :(
This one!
Laura says
Thank u so much!
Shannon at www.strippedchic.com says
This looks so mouth watering! I was expecting it to be a lot more calories than it actually is too – sounds far more filling than some other snacks.
Michelle says
Andddd I definitely shouldn’t have read this post. Right before bed. Huge cravings! Looks great!
admattai says
This looks great! I’ll have to try it soon. Quick question: what food processor do you use?
Gaby says
Looks delicious, love this idea!!!
You just commented on my site. I think I just peed a little. Thanks, Gaby!
Abril says
I’m going to try this tonight!
(I’m a addicted to your site!! )
ah, thanks Abril! Hope you love it! A tip! If you get it a little on the thick side, it rolls beautifully into little brownie batter ball truffles! Enjoy! xo
Keren (Just One More Spoon) says
Oh man!!!!! This is soooo dangerous….. Can’t wait to try the recipe. You only live once right?
Michelle @ Sprinkle On Sunshine says
Oh wow, this sounds like the perfect thing to get me through Monday :D
AMEN ;D
Liz says
Makes my day when you post a new recipe!
*blushing* thanks Liz! xoxo
AmyB says
“Less mess, less time, less grocery shopping. That’s our motto.” Perfect for the busy life that we all seem to lead, so I’m in. Who wouldn’t want a brownie for breakfast? The pictures alone are making my mouth water so I’m off to the kitchen.
haha, yes! Glad you agree :D
Zach says
This looks amazing! I have to find a vegan friendly treat to bring into my office meeting that everyone will love, I’m thinking this with some strawberries and maybe some other fruit might be really great! I’m going to try it out since I have everything on hand at home!
Thanks for sharing!
Great idea!!
Leigha @ The Yooper Girl says
Hoooly man I need this in my life. PRONTO. I’ve never actually made my own nut butter before – I don’t have a food processor! To top that off I’ve never eaten a date. I don’t even know where to get them in the store! I think I’m going to get a Vitamix so I can just have a blender AND processor. And finally make my own nut butter!
Zach says
Just an FYI you can find dates by the raisins in the grocery store :) Some specialty stores or markets may also have them in bulk or in plastic containers separately!
Thanks for the tip, Zach!
No food processor AND you’ve never eaten a date? GET ON IT GIRL! ;D
Danielle says
Can you make this without dates? I want it so bad but can’t because of the acd diet :(
Yes! Just leave the dates out and add a little more cocoa or cacao powder to help thicken – it won’t be as “batter-ish” but still delicious!
Lisa says
Great post!! Looks yummy
L x
Lee says
So simple, yet SPECTACULAR.
Kelli @ Wandering Root says
Oh my goodness… I cannot wait to try this! Another great recipe Dana.
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
Oh my god. This looks soooo delicious!! I’ve never made nut butter in my food processor before (it’s a mini 3 cup one). Would you suggest cutting the recipe down to fit my processor or just making the butter in installments? Thanks :)
Yeah, maybe cut it in half!
ines oliveira says
Yummy :) Great, great, great idea! Has to be something you cannot just stop eating :D
Katie says
Even though I used a Vitamix, mine never quite turned to butter. Maybe it’s because I left the dates in the blender before adding the nuts. (Or maybe an impatient 14 month old didn’t want to allow me sufficient blending time.) Anyway, I decided to roll it into balls and chill them to make brownie bites. Delicious!
Yeah, the dates make it firm up, which is why I suggest removing it then adding it back in a *little* at a time until it forms a spread. Glad you still enjoyed it! I actually rolled some of mine into a ball today and enjoyed it as a little truffle. So good!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
This is definitely one of those recipes where all of these ingredients are just on hand already!! So fun!
BinngoBenngo says
what’s the shelflife on this?
Well, I made it a couple weeks ago and it’s just fine. I’d say the sooner you eat it the fresher it will taste, and until it smells or tastes off, it’s fine! At a guess, I’d say 3 weeks.
jenna @ just j.faye says
Oh.my.goodness. This looks amazing! I’ve made your almond joy butter a few times and absolutely love it. This stuff though, has the potential of becoming a new obsession.
Sarah @ Seriously Lovely says
Oh yum, I can’t wait to make this!
Millie | Add A Little says
Love this! And just checked out the almond joy butter which looks beyond awesome Dana!
molly yeh says
u r a genius.
Miss L J Taylor Mancillas says
This looks incredible! What a fantastic idea , thank you for sharing I will be trying this asap! L x
Danielle @ Chits and Chats and Chocolate says
Funny, I *just* used the same exact ingredients in different ratios to make brownie fudge Larabars, so I’m sure this is absolutely fantastic! What food processor do you use? Mine is such a drag when it comes to nut butters, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.