Chocolate peanut butter bars
These bars are so delicious. They have a chocolate layer on top of a peanutty, date combo that gets blended until it achieves a caramel-like consistency.. It's a raw treat, and unlike many, it doesn't require that you wait between each layer for them to firm up in the fridge or freezer. So, it's just a matter of making one layer after another and then popping the final product into the fridge to do that final firming up then.
Chocolate peanut butter bars
Base:
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250 g cashews about 2 cups - use our cashew pieces here!
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150 g pitted dates about 1 cup
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14 g or 2 tbsp cocoa powder about 1/8 cup
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28 g or 2 tablespoons coconut oil about 1/8 cup
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A pinch of salt
Middle layer
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300 g dates about 2 cups
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150 g smooth peanut butter/almond butter, about 2/3 cup
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120 g coconut oil a bit less than 1/4 cup
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8 tablespoons water about 1/2 cup
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A pinch of salt optional, to taste
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1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Chocolate Topping:
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225 g chocolate chips
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28 g or about 2 tablespoons coconut oil
Instructions
For the base layer:
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Process cashews in a food processor until a flour.
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Add dates, cocoa powder and coconut oil to the processor and blend until the mixture starts to come together.
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Line a 20 cm x 20 cm (8” x 8”) tray with parchment
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Transfer the base mixture to the tin, spread evenly, and using the back of a tablespoon press firmly into the base to compact it.
For the middle layer:
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Without cleaning the food processor, add the dates, peanut butter, coconut oil, and water. Blend until super smooth and caramel-like, adding more water if needed to achieve a smooth consistency. This may take from 5 to 10 mins, be patient.
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If desired, add a pinch of salt to enhance the sweetness and blend until the mixture reaches a toffee-like colour.
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Spread the mixture evenly over the base layer, using parchment on top to help smooth it out.
For the chocolate layer:
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Melt the chocolate and coconut oil together using a water bath, bain-marie or a microwave.
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Gently pour the melted chocolate over the caramel layer and spread it to create an even topping.