First of all, an apology. When I started this blog I wanted to make sure consistency was key. That at least once a week, I would share a new creation with you all. I picked Monday as it felt like a good pick me up on a day that most people don’t like. I was strict on myself to get the recipe sorted and ready to go live every Monday. Beating myself up and stressing if by Sunday evening I hadn’t got it fully sorted. However, let me into a little secret, sometimes, every now and again, things happen that mean you can’t get that thing sorted in time. It’s a little thing called life. I battle with it a lot, a tug of war that I try to win in those last moments. But sometimes, life wins. It gives an enormous pull in that last millisecond. You can’t be a superhero, juggling everything at once. Sometimes life doesn’t want you to. So, I am sorry that I missed a week of blogging, and that this post is overdue. But hey, good things come to those who wait, right?
I’ve not been feeling myself the last couple of weeks. Exhaustion has kicked in, in what is now our mid-point through this summer of festival work. The days are relentlessly long and it’s catching up with me. My auto pilot needs a rest. Blogging has been my quiet time, my personal space. When you don’t feel yourself it’s real difficult to find the right words to get down into this blank void. I didn’t want to write something half-hearted or negative, nor did I want to force words and feelings that just were not there for a little while. I needed to re-align myself and get my head feeling all ‘me’ again.
I am sat writing this in a pub in Dorset, with a window view out to the sea at Lulworth Cove, on a bright blue summers day. It’s certainly helping me feeling more alive again. I mean, you guys, it’s so gorgeous.
I created these gooey, fudgey chocolate squares a few weeks ago, and have been itching to share the recipe since. I really want to make them over and over again, but we don’t have a freezer for a couple of weeks, so I will just have to drool over these photos and reminisce!
Raw Chocolate Fudge Squares (gf) (v)
INGREDIENTS:
For the base:
1 cup medjool dates
100g ground almonds
Handful of hazelnuts
Handful of raisins
2 tbsp ground flax-seed
4 tbsp raw cacao powder
For the fudge mix:
4 bananas
2 tbsp agave syrup (or maple if you don’t have agave)
6 tbsp almond butter
2 tbsp peanut butter
6 tbsp raw cacao powder
METHOD
Soak the dates and raisins in very warm water for 30 mins.
Once soaked, drain and add both into a food processor along with the rest of the base ingredients. Mix for a couple of minutes, until fully combined.
Line a baking dish with cling film. Press the base mix evenly into the tray, use your hands or a spatula to make sure to get right to the edges.
Add all topping ingredients into the food processor. Mix until runny and smooth.
Pour your topping mix in the tray over the base.
Optional – shave over some raw dark chocolate
Freeze for 4 hours, or overnight if possible.
Remove from the freezer 30 mins before eating.
Here’s some other no-bake recipes which I love:
Raw Chocolate Truffles from Tin and Thyme
Chocolate Coconut Bounty Protein Bites from Kerry Cooks
Salted Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge from Celery and Cupcakes
I’m entering this into Tin and Thyme’s We Should Cocoa challenge for August 2015.
These look really good! I do love a no bake bake. Don’t feel bad about missing a week, sometimes life gets in the way but that’s okay! x
Jasmin Charlotte
Thanks so much Jasmin. I need to learn how to be less hard on myself!x
Nice — I love no-bake fudge. And who wants to bake in this heat anyhow 😉 Looks yummy!
Hey Audrey! True – these are so good for summer, like a better ice cream pudding!
Ah goodness, those fudge squares sound phenomenal. Life most certainly does take over I find and pulls you in far to many directions at once. Hopefully you are enjoying the festival season, even if it is a bit tooooooo hectic.
Thank you Choclette. We have a few (much needed) days off now, so I’m gonna put my feet up and chill!
Oh my word. those look incredible! Love that they are raw too. Know the feeling re beating yourself up about posting regularly, but hope you’re having fun and putting your feet up a bit! X
Thanks Kate, feet are most definitely up this weekend!
OMG – that looks INCREDIBLE! Already planning when I can make it…
Hope you get some time to lay in a bubbly bath and eat the lot!
Thanks Helen! Bubble bath is definitely calling!
They look gorgeous Sus! Love that all the ingredients are full of nourishing goodness! Healthy enough for breakfast? 😛
Totally suitable breakfast option Nadia!
Sometimes life just gets in the way, or sometimes inspiration just doesn’t strike when it comes to blogging – and it’s all ok. I hope you’re finding some relaxing time now, and oh my goodness these brownies look AMAZING!
Thanks so much Elizabeth, I think I am my own worst enemy sometimes! But it’s so lovely to get such positive and thoughtful comments from lovely people like you!
Ooh these look absolutely amazing and thank you for featuring my bounty balls!
I had this realisation lately, but try not to feel bad if you miss blog ‘deadlines’ – it should be something you enjoy, not something that causes you stress.
Exactly Kerry, and some weeks I just don’t have the inspiration / words to write. Feeling better after a few days back at home though 🙂
These chocolate fudge looks SO tasty! The flavor and texture in here looks amazing!
Thank you Anu!
Let me say first of all that I really do like that base but that fudge layer is just wonderful. In fact I’ve got to type that again in capitals WONDERFUL. Even better with a view of Lulworth Cove, of course.
Thank you so much!
Third try of your good stuff sus…delivered to the barn boys and my housemates…went down a treat! x
Yay!!!! Love to hear things like this 🙂