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These no bake turtle brownies are vegan, gluten-free, and perfect for chocolate lovers! Enjoy a soft and chewy no bake brownie topped with medjool date caramel, crushed pecans, and mini chocolate chips. They are easy to make, contain wholesome ingredients, and naturally sweetened.
Chocolate, caramel, and nuts… a flavor combination that never grows old. These ingredients are included in several classic candy bars – and for good reason! Rich chocolate, sweet caramel, and salty nuts are an unbeatable trio.
Today, I’m bringing you the yummiest no bake turtle brownies. The recipe is raw, vegan, gluten-free, and naturally sweetened. Plus, it’s easy to follow and no baking is required!
What is “turtle” flavor?
Traditionally, turtles are a chocolate-dipped candy containing pecans and caramel. Today, there are many variations of turtle-flavored sweets and treats. You can scour the internet for turtle cookies, cheesecake, pie, cupcakes, and – yes – brownies!
As a chocolate lover (who still likes to eat relatively healthy) I knew I had to take this delicious dessert up a notch. So, I created a wholesome brownie recipe that is:
- No-bake
- Vegan
- Gluten-free
- Raw
- Refined sugar-free
- 7 ingredients
What ingredients are in vegan gluten-free no bake turtle brownies?
- Walnuts
- Almonds
- Medjool dates
- Cocoa powder
- Pecans
- Chocolate chips
- Vanilla
How to Make No-Bake Turtle Brownies
For the full recipe, scroll down to view the recipe card below.
First, we’ll create the brownie layer. Begin by combining the walnuts, almonds, cocoa powder, medjool dates, vanilla, and salt in a food processor. Process/pulse the ingredients until a sticky dough is formed.
Second, line a square baking dish with parchment paper. I prefer to use a 7×7-inch or 8×8-inch dish. Use clean hands to press the no bake brownie dough across the base in an even layer. Set aside.
Next, we’ll create the caramel layer. Add pitted medjool dates, water, vanilla, and salt to a food processor. Process/pulse until a smooth, caramel-like consistency is formed. In order to do this, stop the food processor periodically and scrape down the sides, pushing the dates toward the center blades. Process/pulse again. Repeat until a nearly smooth consistency is achieved.
Evenly spread the caramel over the brownie dough. Then, add crushed pecans and gently press them into the caramel layer. After, add mini chocolate chips and gently press them over the crushed pecans.
Finally, store the no bake turtle brownies in the freezer for 1 hour. Afterwards, slice and serve.
Kaylie’s Tips:
- Use soft medjool dates and don’t forget to remove the pits. If you only have access to dates that are dry and hard, simply soak them in warm water for 10 minutes. Afterwards, drain the water and pat the dates dry with a paper towel. Then, proceed with the recipe.
- I love using these dairy-free mini chocolate chips. You can use regular chocolate chips, too.
- As the recipe states, be sure to freeze these no bake turtle brownies for one hour before slicing and serving. This gives the brownies enough time to set.
- Store leftovers in a container in the refrigerator or freezer. Storing the brownies in the refrigerator will create a softer texture, while the freezer will create a chewier texture. Both are great!
More no bake brownie recipes
- No Bake Coconut Brownies
- No Bake Vegan Cosmic Brownies
- No Bake Snickers Brownies
- No Bake Cookie Dough Brownies
- No Bake Vegan Brownies
If you try these No Bake Turtle Brownies, please let me know your thoughts by leaving a rating and comment below! Ready for more? Subscribe to my newsletter or follow along on Instagram and YouTube!
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No Bake Turtle Brownies (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 16 brownies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
These no bake turtle brownies are rich, decadent, and so delicious! It’s a soft and chewy brownie topped with caramel, crushed pecans, and mini chocolate chips.
Ingredients
Brownies:
- 1.5 cups raw walnuts
- 1.5 cups raw almonds
- 2 + ½ cup medjool dates, packed
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp salt
Caramel:
- 2 cups medjool dates, packed
- 2–4 tablespoon water, as needed
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ⅛ tsp salt
Toppings:
- ½ cup crushed pecans
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Create the brownie layer: add walnuts, almonds, pitted medjool dates, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and salt to a food processor. Process/pulse until a sticky brownie dough is formed.
- Line a square baking dish with parchment paper. Use clean hands to press the brownie dough across the base of the dish.
- Create the caramel layer: add pitted medjool dates, water, vanilla extract, and salt to a food processor. Process/pulse until a smooth, caramel-like spread is formed. *See notes below.
- Spread the caramel across the brownie layer. Then, add crushed pecans on top. Gently press them into the caramel layer. Next, add mini chocolate chips on top. Gently press them over the pecans.
- Freeze the turtle brownies for 1 hour. After, slice and serve.
Notes
*To create the smooth caramel layer: Process/pulse the ingredients. Stop the food processor periodically and scrape down the sides, pushing the dates toward the center blades. Process/pulse again. Repeat until a nearly smooth, caramel-like spread is formed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brownie
- Calories: 396
- Sugar: 49g
- Fat: 18.5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 7g
Keywords: no bake turtle brownies, raw turtle brownies, salted caramel brownies
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Hi! I was wondering if you can’t find medjool dates can regular dates be substituted? Thank you.
Hi, Teri! Yes, you can use other dates. However, I recommend sticking with medjool for the best flavor! Enjoy 🙂
How long can these brownies last for?
Fridge?
Freezer?
Hi, Kerri! You can store them in the refrigerator or the freezer. They will keep well for 1 week in the refrigerator and up to 3 months in the freezer. Enjoy!
For the brownie part, what is 4 + 1 cup dates? Does that mean 4 individual dates plus 1 cup of dates? Or does that mean 5 cups total dates for the brownie portion?
Hi, Nicole! Where are you reading “4 + 1 cup dates” in the recipe card? It states, “2 and 1/2 cups” which means 2.5 cups.
Made these tonight. I cut them into squares after freezing for one hour. Then I tried them. They are decadent. I rescored the squares to make smaller portions and froze most of them. I’m sure they’ll be a hit this Christmas.
★★★★★
Merry Christmas, Adele! 🙂
We have an almond allergy in our home, would this be possible with sunflower seeds and walnuts?
Hi, Myli! A nut would work far better than seeds. Can you use cashews in your home? That would be a better replacement. 🙂
I made these and absolutely fell in love! They taste just like regular brownies, bur without the guilt!
★★★★★
Thank you, Amber! I’m so happy to hear you love these turtle brownies!! 🙂
Absolutely delicious! Super easy, too! I was really amazed at how easily the “caramel” comes together in the food processor. I only had about 4 cups of packed dates altogether and split them equally between the “dough” and “caramel.” I added a heaping tablespoon of peanut butter to the dough and it turned out perfectly! Will keep in the fridge/freezer for weeks!
★★★★★
I’m so glad you enjoyed the brownies, Meghan! Thank you for the sweet comment! 🙂
OMG!! These are so good!! If someone put this in front of me I would have no idea that they were vegan, gluten free, and healthy! They taste absolutely amazing and this recipe was so easy to follow! Go try it out you won’t be disappointed!! The brownies were fudgy and the caramel on top added such a nice flavor!! 🥰
★★★★★
What a sweet comment!! I’m so happy you loved these turtle brownies, Julia!! Thanks so much! 🥰