Prunes! Not just for your Nan, prunes are a delicious and versatile ingredient. Fantastic in both savoury dishes and sweet treats like this chocolate prune slice, I think the prune deserves a second chance.
The poor old prune. Seen by many as the embarrassing cousin of the date, prunes have a serious PR problem. While I do love dates - I could eat my almond butter and oat energy balls made with dates for days - prunes are a sweet, slightly tart change in pace. So, with a little damage control we are going to embrace the prune and turn it in to a deliciously good chocolate prune slice.
So, what exactly is the story with prunes?
Prunes are simply plums that have been dried in the sun without any fermentation process. Maybe we need to re-brand? Indeed growers in California have tried remarking them as such. Would you care for a dried-plum, Madam? Meanwhile in France prunes are revered.
In France, these prunes are held in the same high regard as foie gras and Armagnac. They are sought by connoisseurs around the world and they even have their own museum.
New York Times
Dark, wrinkly and a little bit sticky this maligned fruit is a little powerhouse of nutrition. Given its credentials it's a shame this little guy has been relegated to Nana's morning porridge. Not sexy to be sure.
But, look at all the good things we are missing out on:
- Prunes are rich in Vitamin K | one cup provides 87% of the recommended daily intake
- They contain Beta-Carotene
- Prunes are a Good Source of Fibre
- The contain most B Vitamins, calcium and potassium
Why you should be eating plums
Prunes, or dried plums if you please, are delicious, juicy and a nice change from the super sweet date. Also, they are half the price. And let's be honest, they will keep you regular. This vegan chocolate prune slice is chocolatey and delicious; they won't even know the prunes are in there.
Faqs
Do I have to soak prunes before using?
If stored properly dates don't dry out nearly as much as dates. They will stay sticky, soft and sweet. Having said that, I've had some readers have trouble processing their prunes in the food processor so a quick soak in boiling water for 10-minutes should do the trick. It's also worth giving them a chop before going into your machine.
Can I freeze this slice?
Totally. Once you have baked the slice allow it to sit for 10-minutes before slicing. Let the slice cool completely before wrapping it in foil and storing the squares flat in a freezer-proof bag or sealed container for up to 3 months. To thaw, remove the slice from the freezer and thaw on the counter.
More awesome sweets:
- No-Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Oat Squares
- Easy Sweet Potato Chocolate Fudge Squares
- Vegan Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Tahini Caramel Black Bean Brownies
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Equipment
- food processor
Ingredients
Base
- 2 cups rolled oats
- ½ cup raw almonds
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 3 tbs melted coconut oil
- 3 tbs maple syrup
- 3 tbs water
Chocolate Layer
- 400 g pitted prunes chopped
- 4 tbs good quality cocoa
- ½ cup desiccated coconut
- 2 tbs maple syrup
- pinch sea salt
- 2 tbs water
Topping
- ⅓ desiccated coconut to sprinkle
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 175 degrees C.
- Line a 8"x8" slice pan with baking paper or parchment.
- Combine all base ingredients into a food processor and blitz until combined and the mix sticks together. Press the mix firmly and evenly in to the slice tray.
- Clean out processor and add all chocolate layer ingredients to the now clean bowl. Blitz until combined and spread evenly over base layer.
- The mix is sticky so I use a wet fork to wrestle it into submission. Sprinkle enough coconut to cover the slice all over.
- Bake in the oven for 20 minutes. To toast the coconut top layer, pop the slice under the broiler for a minute or two to toast.
- Remove from oven and let the slice rest for 10 minutes for cutting to serve.
Ruth Sheffer
Same problem could not process prunes had to chop manually
Amanda
Thanks of letting me know Ruth. I will make a note of it in the recipe for anyone else that the has issues with their prunes. 🙂
Ann
Hi Amanda, just need to correct you on your explanation of what is a prune. It is NOT a dried plum! Prunes and plums are totally different fruits. Dried prunes are just that - dried prunes!! I have actually never seen or heard of a dried plum. It would be good if you corrected your description. Thanks.
Amanda
Hi Ann, thanks for your message. Can you explain a little further, please? I researched quite a few articles that all say prunes are a dried variety of plum, from Wikipedia to Healthline and Sunsweet (UK), a prune juice manufacturer. I'd love to know what they are if this is not the case! 🙂
Midnight
Nope. They are dried plums dude. Also why do you seem offended??? The author clearly has the patience of a saint to respond the way she did to you.
carmen clow
Agree
vikster
I just purchased my first 'prune' plum tree so I can dry my own prune variety of plums at home.
A prune IS a variety of plum that is higher in natural sugars and and is dried. The prune plum can be eaten fresh also.
It is a plum.... Prunes ARE dried plums... 🙂
Vikster
Forgot to say thanks for the great recipe...
Amanda
Thanks Vikster, I love this one too. I love a good prune. x
Amanda
Oh, I'm jealous! That sounds fantastic.
Emma
This was such a great recipe. Thank you so much for sharing. Lovely with a cuppa tea. I added pecans in with almonds on the base and used cacao instead of cocoa. Love your blog.
Amanda
Oh, the pecans sounds fantastic, Emma. I might have to try that. Thanks so much letting me know! x
Tahlia
Just made this tonight and it's delicious! I melted some dark chocolate and scattered it over the slice as well and it turned out great. Hard to believe it's so healthy as well
Amanda
Fantastic Tahlia! Thanks for taking the time to let me know. I haven't made this slice in such a long time - you've inspired me to make it again. I am so glad you enjoyed it and the chocolate sounds like a wonderful addition. Have a great day. A,x.
Nika
Hey! I got my food processor fixed and finally made this recipe today. It turned out perfectly amazing. And it is so damn yummy. I love it. Thanks for this amazing recipe.
Amanda
Nika, that makes me so happy and I am glad your processor could be fixed. I was worried! I am glad you enjoyed the slice, thanks for letting me know.
Nika
I just made this recipe. It is the first time using prunes for me. I didn't soak them and put the ingredients in the food prcessor. Now my food processor is spoilt and as the prunes won't puree and I don't even know how to fix the recipe because all the ingredients are mixed in and the prunes are dry and hard. Very sad. You should have mentioned in your blog that the prunes have to be soaked in hot water forat keast 20 minutes first.
Amanda
Nika,
I am so sorry about your processor. Having said that, I’ve never soaked prunes prior to processing - I have always found them to be very soft. Dates occasionally if they have dried or if I haven't stored them properly. Prunes? Never. I’ve also never had any feedback from others making the recipe that the prunes caused an issue either. Again, I am sorry about your machine.
In kindess,
Amanda
Nika
Aww. No worries. Thanks. ✌
Priya
Hi Amanda, these look delicious. What could I use instead of coconut oil? Would olive oil work? Thanks, Priya
Amanda
Hi Priya,
I am so glad you like the look of these. You could try both vegan butter or sunflower/vewgetable oil in these. Olive oil might be a tad overpowering. Good luck!
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nourishingbynature
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LOGANINK
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