After many, many attempts, I feel like I've finally perfected the recipe for these yummy bars! They're full of chocolatey goodness and have absolutely no sugar! I love the coconut and cashew flavor and smooth yet chewy texture. Seriously, this "dessert" is super creamy, chocolatey, nutty, coconutty and oh-so-satisfying! Plus, it's a one-bowl wonder and takes no time to make! If you aren't into dates, you'll still want to try this recipe. All you'll taste in this healthy treat is the chocolate, coconut and cashews. Try it. I know you will love it!
Adapted from the Bless this Mess blog.
INGREDIENTS
20 Medjool dates, pitted and coarsely chopped
3/4 C raw cashews
1/4 C cashew butter
1/2 C unsweetened coconut flakes
3 T cocoa powder
1/4t-1/2t coconut oil, melted and cooled
DIRECTIONS
Place all ingredients in a food processor except the coconut oil and blend until well chopped and combined. Add coconut oil as needed to get mixture to stick together well. If the cashew butter is warm and soft, you might not need any coconut oil at all, making this recipe even healthier! Dump the mixture into a 6x6 or similarly sized pan and pat down using a spatula. The size of the pan won't change the flavor but will dictate the thickness of each piece. Place in the fridge for at least an hour to harden. Cut into squares and serve. Store in the fridge.
SUBSTITUTIONS
If you prefer to use another type of nut butter (such as peanut or almond), you might need to add a bit more coconut oil. Cashew and almond butter are sweeter than peanut butter, and cashew is definitely the creamiest of the three. No matter what nut butter you choose, try to get an all natural version that's just ground nuts. Most commercial peanut butters are mostly made of junk. I make my own cashew butter - it's easy, much less expensive, allows me to control the ingredients, and is absolutely delicious!
Updated 1.8.21 to reduce amount of coconut oil as previous amount was unnecessary.
