Salty Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

MAKES ONE 9×5 LOAF PAN

Candy tastes delicious. That is why millions of people eat it every day. When it comes to feeding our children sweets, though, we educate them about why sugar, dyes, and preservatives are bad for your body. We let our kids know that candy isn’t a good choice. On the flip side, we don’t want our children to feel left out, and we want them to enjoy delicious desserts. So we make healthy alternatives to store-bought junk food. These Salty Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars are so nutritious that even adults won’t hesitate to indulge. They’ll cure anyone’s sweet-tooth craving.

½ cup salted peanuts

½ cup salted macadamia nuts

½ cup pitted dates (preferably Medjool)

½ tsp. vanilla extract

1 cup salted peanut butter

½ cup coconut sugar

4 Tbsp. coconut oil

⅛ tsp. Himalayan pink salt

2 Tbsp. coconut flour

½ tsp. vanilla extract

¼ cup brown rice cereal, such as One Degree

¼ cup vegan chocolate chips

  1     Line the bottom and sides of a 9×5 loaf pan with parchment paper.

  2     Place the salted peanuts and macadamia nuts in a food processor and blitz until the nuts reach a crumb consistency.

  3     Add the dates and vanilla extract and blitz again until a dough-like consistency is formed. Press this mixture with your hands into the parchment paper-lined pan. It should be about ½ inch thick and evenly spread. Let set in the freezer while you make the filling.

  4     In a medium-size bowl, combine the peanut butter, coconut sugar, 3 Tbsp. coconut oil, salt, coconut flour, and vanilla extract and mix well. Add in the brown rice cereal and mix until combined.

  5     Remove the crust from the freezer and spoon in the filling, spreading it evenly over the crust. Return the pan to the freezer.

  6     In a small pan over low heat, melt together the chocolate chips and remaining 1 Tbsp. coconut oil.

  7     Remove the pan from the freezer again and drizzle the chocolate over the bars in a pattern or pour the chocolate on and spread evenly over the top, depending on the look you are going for. Return the bars to the freezer for at least 2 hours before serving.

  8     When you are ready to serve, pull out the parchment paper, and the whole block of bars should come out easily. To cut into squares smoothly, use a large knife that has been warmed under hot water and dried.