Here's a dessert I made for Canadian Thanksgiving (in October) this year: Pecan Brownie with Maple Ice Cream, Apple Spice Compote, and Chocolate Sauce.     I found it to be just the right balance of everything. Dense chocolate nut brownie, smooth cold ice cream, warm fruit compote with the right touch of spice, and silky chocolate sauce to round it all out. I then drizzled it with maple syrup. Its a perfectly decadent holiday treat!

Chocolate Pecan Brownie

The maple sugar provides not only great flavor, but a neat texture in this brownie! If you don't have access to maple sugar you can substitute palm sugar, as it has a similar texture. 

4 cups pecans

1/2 cup pitted packed dates

1/4 cup maple sugar

2/3 cup cacao powder

2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Pinch Himalayan salt

Grind the pecans into crumbs in a food processor. Add the remaining ingredients and process into a moist, crumbly dough. Press the mixture into an 8x8" pan. Chill.

Maple Maca Ice Cream

I posted the recipe on my blog already. I served it to friends on its own and let them dress it up with maple syrup and chopped pecans. Simple and delicious. 

2 cups cashews

2 cups water

Seeds of 1/2 vanilla bean

2/3 cup maple syrup

1 Tbs maca powder

Blend all ingredients until smooth and creamy. Chill for a few hours. Process through an ice cream maker according to manufacturers instructions OR fill ice cube trays and freeze. 

Chocolate Sauce

From my Just Desserts ebook, I love this sauce and make it all the time!  Perfect for fruit, a topping on ice cream, or chilled until firm enough to spread as a cake frosting. 

1/3 + 1 Tbs agave

1/4 cup cacao powder

2 Tablespoons almond butter

2 Tablesoons water

2 Tablespoons coconut oil

2 teaspoons carob powder

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Pinch of sea salt

Blend ingredients until smooth. 

Spiced Apple Compote

This compote doesn't need to be dehydrated, but it really does make a difference - it takes on a wonderful "cooked" texture, and the flavors get a chance to mingle. I find that the spices and fruit help balance out the chocolate and maple in addition to bringing out the full Autumn effect.  

4 medium apples, peeled, cored

1/2 cup maple syrup

1/4 cup raisins

2 Tablespoons goji berries

2 dates, chopped

1 teaspoon lemon zest

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

2 Pinches cardamom

Soak the raisins and goji berries in water for 2-4 hours. Drain.  In a food processor, chop the apples into small pieces. Add the remaining ingredients to the apples, including the drained fruit, and stir together. Process half the mixture until smooth. Fold into the other half. Dehydrate for a few hours at 115F, until the apples take on a warm, "cooked" feel.  

Enjoy each brownie with a scoop of ice cream and warm compote. Drizzle with choco sauce! Happy Holidays!  

Check out more amazing desserts in Heathy's Just Desserts ebook, and raw food recipes on her Blog.