Makes about 24 squares.
These squares are a chocolatey treat. No one would ever guess that they are free of added sugars and oils.
1 ½ cups dates (Medjool or other soft dates, or steam to soften)
½ cup soft almond or other nut butter
2 tablespoons plant-based milk
2 teaspoons vanilla
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup almond flour
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
½ cup chocolate chips or chocolate chunks
Topping
¾ cup pecans or walnuts
¾ cup shredded, unsweetened coconut
2 tablespoons maple syrup
½ of a 100 g chocolate bar (or about 2 ounces chocolate)
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Process dates, almond butter, plant-based milk, vanilla, and salt until combined.
- Add flour and cocoa powder and pulse until a dough forms.
- Add in chocolate chips or chunks and process just to distribute through the dough.
- Spray an 8 by 11-inch pan. You can use a slightly larger or smaller pan, if desired, although it will affect the thickness of the squares.
- Press the dough into the pan.
- In a medium-sized bowl, mix the pecans, coconut, and maple syrup.
- Sprinkle evenly over the dough.
- Bake for 15 minutes or until top is golden brown.
- Remove from the oven. Cool for at least 30 minutes.
- Melt chocolate. Drizzle over squares. Let cool completely so chocolate solidifies (you can refrigerate when the squares cool sufficiently).
- Slice squares and freeze, if desired.
