Caramel Chocolate Cookie Dough Bars

Nothing Better Than a No-Bake Treat!

With summer weather coming soon, I’m all about the no-bake recipes. These bars are so delicious and made with all simple and healthier ingredients. There is even added protein in the cookie dough layer!

These store perfectly in the freezer for a while. I love having them on hand as a quick snack or dessert.

Sugar: I used coconut sugar. You can use any type of sugar you want. Make sure it is GRANLUATED sugar not liquid sweetener.

Yogurt: any nondairy yogurt will work. I haven’t tried any dairy-based yogurts.

Protein powder: I used a vanilla plant-based protein powder. Any plant-based protein will work. I haven’t tried any whey-based proteins in these.

Chocolate: you can use chocolate chips, a chopped chocolate bar, literally any chocolate of your preference will work.

Coconut oil: you can sub vegan butter instead, or just no coconut oil at all.

I wouldn’t recommend substituting the almond flour or applesauce. They combine to form the best texture. Also, there really is no substitution for the dates.

If you have never baked with dates before or tasted them, they have a caramel like taste. They are super sweet naturally and work super well in a lot of recipes. Dates are also super high in fiber and help a lot with digestion.

Do NOT skip over soaking your dates in boiling water. The longer you do this the easier it will be to mash into a paste. Also, the less chunks of dates you will have.

If dates aren’t your thing, this recipe probably isn’t for you! However, if you do like dates or if you’ve never tried them, I recommend giving this recipe a try as it is delicious!

 Ingredients:

• Sugar

• Applesauce

• Vegan yogurt

• Almond flour

• Protein powder

• Chocolate

• Dates

• Coconut oil

Recipe:

Cookie dough layer:

• ¼ cup sugar

• ½ cup applesauce

• 1/3 cup yogurt

• 1/3 cup almond flour

• 2/3 cup protein powder

• ½ cup chocolate chips

Caramel layer:

• 1 cup dates

Chocolate layer:

• 1 ¼ cup chocolate

• 1 teaspoon coconut oil

Directions:

1.    Line a 9x5 baking pan with parchment paper or spray with cooking spray.

2.    In a bowl add the dates and cover in boiling water.

3.    Set aside.

4.    In a bowl combine the sugar, applesauce, and yogurt.

5.    Stir until combined.

6.    Add in the almond flour and protein powder.

7.    Stir again until a dough forms.

8.    Fold in the chocolate chips.

9.    Take the dough and press down in the baking pan.

10. Set aside.

11. Drain all the water from the dates, EXCEPT about ¼ cup.

12. Mash with a fork until a paste forms OR add to a blender.

13. Once a paste forms, add to the cookie dough layer.

14. Place in the freezer for 30-40 minutes.

15. Add the melted chocolate on top.

16. Allow chocolate to harden in the freezer.

17. Once hardened, slice and enjoy!

Store in an airtight container in the freezer. You can do the refrigerator, however, the bars with be a mushier texture.

If you try this recipe, please let me know what you think! I’d love to hear.