4-Ingredient Vegan Brownies

Preheat oven to 350°F and line a standard loaf pan with parchment paper. Add the pitted dates to a food processor and blend until they form small bits or clump into a ball. Ensure no pits remain.

Break the date mixture into chunks. Add warm water and blend until a sticky paste forms, scraping down the sides as needed. Add the peanut butter, melted coconut oil, and cacao powder. Pulse until a thick, sticky batter forms. Add chocolate chips and walnuts if using, and pulse briefly to incorporate.

Transfer the batter into the prepared pan and press it into an even layer using a piece of parchment paper and the flat bottom of a glass. Bake on the center rack for 15 minutes until the edges look slightly dry.

Let the brownies cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then lift them out using the parchment edges. Cool on a wire rack for at least 20 more minutes before slicing — the longer they cool, the firmer and fudgier the texture.