I frequently fall in love with recipes and food, but this –this is a whole other ball game. This recipe absolutely blew my mind! (Figuratively -thank goodness). I actually wanted to call this THE BEST DAMN DESSERT EVER and proceed to write the recipe in all caps because I was so excited …but I refrained.
Trust me when I say, this is a recipe you just have to try!
It tastes like my entire childhood. More specifically, those sunny afternoons after school stealing a few of Dad’s Goodie Rings before dinner. Which if you’ve never had those cookies before -what are you doing with your life? You just have to try this recipe now!
P.S. This whole recipe is named after those cookies, and the fact that this recipe is in my dad’s top 5 desserts he’s ever had in his entire life! Now that’s a compliment.
The best part of these squares is they’re delightfully sin-less and guilt free. It’s essentially dates, nuts, oats and cocoa…so that makes it okay to eat an entire pan while binge-watching 13 Reasons Why… right..?
I’m gonna pretend you said yes.
This recipe was adapted and inspired from Laura Peill over at One Green Planet, so check out the original right here. Now if you’re ready for your little piece of heaven turn up “Mykonos” by Fleet Foxes and let’s get right into it!
Makes: 12 Prep Time: 15 minutes Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- 1/2 cup of sliced almonds
- 1/4 cup of peanuts, unsalted
- 1/4 cup of large flaked oats
- 1/4 cup of peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons of maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon of shredded coconut (I used sweetened. This is a dessert after all.)
- 1 tablespoon of coconut cream
- 1 cup of pitted dates
- 1/4 – 1/2 cup of water
- 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon of Himalayan Pink or Sel Gris Sea Salt
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
My favorite homemade chocolate, my Choco-la-ti-da recipe.
- 1/2 cup of cocoa
- 1/4 cup of coconut milk
- 2 1/2 tablespoons of maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon of Himalayan Pink or Sel Gris Sea Salt
Start with the base-(ics): If you’ve got a food processor (you lucky duck), this will make this whole process a lot easier. In a food processor combine all the ingredients to form the base and pulse until a dough forms.
*If the dough is too sticky, add more oats. If it’s too dry, add more peanut butter.
If you don’t have a food processor (-don’t despair, neither do I), In a sandwich bag combine sliced almonds and peanuts. Now is the perfect time to get any anger out, grab yourself a rolling pin and crush the nuts into tiny chunks. In a bowl mix crushed nuts and all the other ingredients together until a dough forms.
*If the dough is too sticky, add more oats. If it’s too dry, add more peanut butter.
Press base mixture into a 6×6 square pan and place in the refrigerator to harden.
For the caramel: If you’ve got a food processor, combine all caramel ingredients and pulse until smooth. Add more water as necessary to create a spreadable consistency.
If you don’t have a food processor, chop dates into small pieces (your blender will thank you). Combine chopped dates and all other caramel ingredients into a blender, adding more water as necessary to create a spreadable consistency.
Spread evenly over top of the base and return to the refrigerator.
For the chocolate: Whisk all chocolate ingredients together until well mixed and pour over the caramel layer. Yes, this homemade chocolate is that easy!
Cover baking pan and return to the refrigerator for 1-2 hours until all layers have hardened. Sprinkle shredded coconut on top if desired, then cut into squares. If you manage to not eat them all, store the rest in an air-tight container in the fridge.
There we have it! A guilt-less, sin-less dessert that will satisfy even the hungriest sweet tooth.
Health & Happiness,
Savannah