January 10, 2014

Brownie Snack Bars (No Bake)

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These no bake healthier brownie snack bars are perfect for when you want a little something sweet! Made with dates, raw nuts, coconut and chocolate chips, they’re dairy free, gluten free and vegan.

Three Brownie Snack Bars on a wooden cutting board.

It’s finally Friday and I think we should celebrate that fact with some chocolate.  

This was my first full week back with my day job and well, I’m exhausted.  

And cold.  As in whenever I’m home I sit with a giant fleece blanket wrapped around me cold.  And then I walk around with the blanket still on and Emma the beagle kinda chases me around the house.  

She reallly likes fleece blankets and will do just about anything to snuggle in one.

But I’m getting sidetracked.  Chocolate.  Yes, very important.

Three No Bake Brownies on a cutting board with pecans to the side.

So after the holiday baking craze I’ve been trying to cut back on sugar for a little bit.  Just until I start to feel normal again.  I can’t go too long without cookies … that would just be wrong.

I’ve been playing around with dates in my kitchen for a few months now and am happy to have a recipe like these healthier brownie snack bars on hand.  

Because let’s face it – I get some mean sweet cravings and can be a little grumpy if I don’t get my fix.

These snack bars taste like little brownie bites – with plenty of chocolate and some coconut for topping.  

Now let’s be real here – these obviously are not like big thick gooey brownies topped with ice cream.  

Butttt they are delicious and will help get rid of any massive chocolate cravings.

Several Raw Vegan Brownies on a cutting board with a glass of milk.

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Did you make this recipe? Rate and review it down below! I’d love to hear from you.

Brownie Snack Bars (No Bake)

Yield: 16 (2 inch square) bars
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

These no bake healthier brownie snack bars are perfect for when you want a little something sweet! Made with dates, raw nuts, coconut and chocolate chips, they’re dairy free, gluten free and vegan. 

Ingredients

  • 1 cup raw walnut halves
  • 1 cup raw pecan halves
  • 10 large medjool dates*
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ¼ cup dark chocolate chips**
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ cup unsweetened shredded coconut, plus more for sprinkling

Instructions

  1. Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper or plastic wrap, leaving an overhang on two sides. Set aside.
  2. Add the walnuts and pecans to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until the nuts are finely chopped (but don’t go so far that they start to turn into a paste).
  3. Add in the dates, cocoa powder, chocolate chips, vanilla extract, salt and coconut. Continue to pulse until the dates are finely chopped and the mixture starts to come together in clumps.
  4. Dump the mixture into the prepared pan and use your fingers to press into an even layer. Sprinkle with additional shredded coconut and gently press into the bars with your fingers.
  5. Transfer the pan to the refrigerator and allow to chill for about 1 hour.
  6. Remove the bars from the pan using the parchment paper (or plastic wrap). Use a sharp knife to cut into bars.
  7. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator (I found it helps to put a layer of wax paper between the bars so they don’t stick together).

Notes

*For the dates – rip them in half and remove the pit before adding to the food processor. You should have about 1 cup.

**To keep these dairy free / vegan - be sure to use non dairy chocolate chips.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 156Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 34mgCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 3gSugar: 12gProtein: 2g

Nutrition data shown is an estimate provided by an online calculator and is for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a substitute for a medical professional’s advice.

© Ashley / Cook Nourish Bliss
Cuisine: American / Category: Dessert
Bars, Chocolate, Dairy Free, Dessert, Gluten Free, Grain Free, Recipes (ALL), Snacks, Soy Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
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