Vegan Date and Pecan Bars [chocolate covered]
No bake Vegan date and pecan bars are gluten free, dairy free, and sugar free! Healthy and so delicious .
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cup medjool dates, pitted (about 13 dates) substitutions for medjool dates in post above
- 1/4 cup cacao powder
- 3 Tbsp nut butter of your choice(I used cashew/almond butter mix)
- 2 Tbsp honey
- 1 Tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup roasted pecans, roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips or chocolate chunks
For Dipping and Prettying
- 200 gram chocolate
- 1 Tbsp coconut oil
- 10-12 whole roasted pecans
Instructions
Blend Dates
- Open up each date and check the inside for bugs. Discard the seed and hard piece at the top of the date.To a food processor fitted with the "S" blade, add dates, cacao powder, nut butter, honey, vanilla extract, and coconut oil. Process for about 3 minutes, until a smooth paste forms. It will be very thick.
Add nuts
- Transfer date mixture to a bowl and add chopped pecans and chocolate chips. Mix with a silicone spatula. Just fold the dough over itself to incorporate the nuts.
Freeze
- Rub bread tin with coconut oil or spray oil. You can fit the bottom with parchment for easier removal if desired. I use this loaf tin from amazon(affiliate link)Press in the date mixture. Place in the freezer to set for 10 minutes.
Cut and Prettify
- Remove the date loaf from freezer and place on a cutting board. Cut into 10-12 equal squares. Place a parchment paper on a plate/in a container/on a sheet pan that will fit into the freezer.Break up the chocolate into chunks and place in a microwave safe dish with the 1 TBSP coconut oil. Microwave for 30 seconds, mix, and repeat one more time. Mix until chocolate is smooth. Spoon some of the chocolate into a piping bag for decorating.Dip each date bar into the chocolate to fully coat(or at least coat the sides that you will see. The bottom doesn't need to get chocolate).
- Place on the parchment covered plate/container/baking sheet. While the chocolate is still wet press in a whole roasted pecan into the top of each bar.
- Freeze for 5 minutes. This next step is optional- Remove bars from freezer and drizzle some chocolate onto the tops of each. Place in the freezer again to set another 5 minutes. Serve.Store in the freezer and remove 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!