RECIPE: chocolate brownie cake with raspberries (low fat)

Trader Joe’s has finally made it to South Florida. There are many things I miss about the West Coast (the list is almost never ending) but one of the things that has most certainly made that list of Things-I-Miss-The-Most-About-California is Trader Joe’s. Everything is so affordable, but also good quality and no preservatives, food dyes, or flavor enhancers are used. Plus, there is a huge variety of organic foods available at very affordable prices. 

Well… after trying to go to my beloved grocer every weekend since it opened I was finally able to make it in. (The first time we couldn’t get into the parking lot–too full–and the next time we finally found parking but the store was out of everything. The next time I couldn’t even make it onto the side street that led to the parking lot because it was too backed up…)

 Miami has this peculiar way of welcoming new businesses … the people become obsessive with the latest “It” thing and make it nearly impossible to ever get to participate in the “It” thing because it’s just too full of the latest Miami Trend Setters. Unfortunately, Trader Joe’s has fallen under that category. As history shows us, the “It” thing usually lasts about 6 months and then it’s forgotten about, and most of the time the business closes (you may think I’m kidding but it’s actually a huge economic problem for this city). I doubt Trader Joe’s will close but it has definitely made it impossible to shop there, so far.

Anyway, I finally made it in by going first thing in the morning. I was able to stock up on fresh fruits and veggies in unreasonable quantities. One of the ingredients I stocked up on was raspberries. They are usually incredibly expensive at the grocery store but were only a couple bucks at TJs. All I could think was “ohmygoshthatwillbeSOgoodwithchocolate”. I grabbed two containers. 

Without further ado .. and as a reward for you bearing with my vent on my TJ experience … here is an incredibly delicious, indulgent, and EASY low fat recipe. 

For the fudge filling:

• 4-6 medjool dates, soaked and pitted
• 2 T cacao powder
• 1 T water
• 1 t vanilla

For the brownie base:

• Process all of the ingredients in a food processor, blender or mini chopper** until a crumbly mixture forms. 
• Press down into a pie dish until evenly distributed.

For the fudge filling:

• Place the ingredients in a food processor, blender or mini chopper** and process until a paste forms.
• Spread over the top of your crust.