Chocolate alternative

Not exactly low-cal, but I find these "raw brownies" far more satisfying than chocolate etc. Plus, you're getting some protein and good fats. I was once eating a shop-bought version of this and thought it was crazy to be paying out such a lot of money for something so ... uh ... basic. So I made these and thought they were pretty yum!

190g (dried, stoned) dates
95g oats
75g nuts (walnuts probably best)
65g raisins
35g cocoa powder (sieved)
Apple juice

* Makes 500g (or 8 largeish slices at about 211kcal each)*

1. Line a cake baking tin.
   
2. Put all ingredients except the juice in the food processor ... and whiz it up until everything's more-or-less mixed.
   
3. Add a little juice to bind it together and then give it another whiz.
   
4. Press the mix into the tin verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry well (this takes some time). An effective way is take a slightly smaller tin or tin base and use this (plus your weight) to flatten and press.
   
5. Refrigerate and slice.

The combination of dried fruit and chocolate is one I love.  This sounds like it would taste rich without the fat and added refined sugar.

The hippie grocery used to have these amazing vegan brownies from their bakery that used banana instead of egg for moisture. Since they closed, I have been on the lookout for a sub. Thanks!

just wondering before I try this recipe, does it have that "dried fruit taste" at all? I don't mind dates or raisins too much, but they and all other dried fruits just have a weird taste that I really hate. I dunno if that makes sense to anyone... but do the other ongrediants mask it well? and do they taste at all like real brownies?

I made a simialr things with just almonds, dates and cocoa and it was AMAZING. My friends loved it but swooned when i micorwaved them for 30 sec.
I wouldnt use hte raisins if you're worrided about the fruit taste, but in the blender its all good.
They taste like thick fudgey stuff, but smell soooo good. My friends thought they rocked and couldnt bleive they were dairy, oil/butter and gluten free.