Sweet Potato Tahini Date Brownies
Sweet potato, tahini, and dates make fudgy brownies with a nutty edge and a soft, naturally caramel-like center.
Prep: 15 · Cook: 25 · Total: 40 · Serves: 16 · Difficulty: Easy · Rating: 4.9/5 (328 reviews)
INSPIRED BY
This original brownie uses sweet potato for moisture and dates for caramel-like pockets. Tahini gives the chocolate a toasted, subtly savory finish.
Story
Casey keeps a sweet potato or two around for the nights when dessert needs to happen without a special grocery run. Here it folds into a fudgy chocolate batter with tahini and chewy dates. The sesame topping makes the edges smell like a bakery window. Let the pan cool, then tuck a few squares away for tomorrow.
By Casey
Ingredients
- 1 cup mashed roasted sweet potato, cooled
- 1/2 cup tahini
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup chopped pitted dates
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350 F and line an 8-inch square pan with parchment, leaving an overhang.
- Whisk the sweet potato, tahini, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth and glossy.
- In a second bowl, whisk the cocoa, flour, baking powder, and salt until no streaks remain.
- Fold the dry mixture into the sweet potato mixture, then fold in the chopped dates.
- Spread the batter in the pan, sprinkle with sesame seeds, and bake for 25 minutes until just set.
- Cool completely in the pan, lift out by the parchment, and cut into 16 squares.
Chef Tips
- Use well-drained mashed sweet potato so the brownies stay fudgy rather than wet.
- Stir the tahini before measuring if the oil has separated in the jar.
- Pull the pan when the center still looks slightly soft; it will finish setting as it cools.
- For clean cuts, chill the cooled brownies for 20 minutes first.
Cook's Notes
- **Sweet potato:** Roast or microwave until very tender, then cool before mixing.
- **Tahini:** Choose a pourable, well-stirred tahini for the smoothest batter.
- **Doneness:** A few moist crumbs are right; a clean toothpick means the brownies may be overbaked.