So let’s talk about legendary recipes. I’d say most families have them. Whether it’s grandma’s famous pie recipe passed down from generation to generation, dad’s special lasagna, or your uncle’s secret sauce recipe. It’s funny how the really good ones have a way of sticking around.
Well, after spending a few years now constantly trying new recipes and coming up with different combinations, I’d like to think I’ve created a few of those type. The ones that will be repeated over and over because they’re just that good. Of course, I’d be the first to admit that not all my recipe testing has been 5-star-restaurant worthy. There have definitely been some epic fails and if you don’t believe me you can just ask my family because clearly they don’t mind backing me up on this.
A few days ago I was trying to prove this point about smoothies and when I asked my 15-year-old brother to validate what I was saying he was more than willing to tell how many times I’ve made some really bad smoothies. Haha, I know I asked him to agree with me but I was also like “You could have hesitated just a little bit before agreeing so fast.” Hey, at least he’s honest, right?
But anyway, today isn’t about smoothies, it’s about these snickers bars that have had a healthy makeover. Out of all my best recipe creations, I’d say the homemade snickers bars I made a few years ago are still near the top of my family’s list. It’s just, I’ve been wondering if it were possible to create a healthy version of them and I’m so excited to share these because I was really happy with how they turned out. I think I nailed it with this one, guys, if I do say so myself. Even my pickiest, “veggie-allergic” siblings said they liked them. I mean, let’s be real, my honest brothers admitted they would never be able to choose them over the originals but that they were surprised something healthy was that good.
So these bars don’t need any baking and there really are only a few ingredients in them. Now, I’m not a vegan, or a dietitian, or anything but, being in the food biz, I have read a little about different ways of eating so I at least know a little about the raw vegan thing. I’m not 100% sure what qualifies as “raw” but I’m pretty sure these do. In my book they’re raw. I mean, there’s no heat involved aside from melting the chocolate for the top and that should be done at the lowest temps possible anyway.
The main thing is that these are a much better option to eating candy bars no matter who you are. They’re gluten free, dairy free, vegan, and yata-yata-yata, you get the point -> “healthy”.
No-Bake Raw Vegan Snickers Bars
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours, 25 minutes
Yield: about 15 bars
If you thought a healthified version of your favorite candy bar could never taste amazing, think again. These sneaky treats are quick and don't require any baking.
Ingredients
Date Caramel:
2 cups pitted dates (220g)
2 tablespoons(32g) natural peanut butter
1/4 cup coconut cream (60ml) *see note
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon sea salt
Crust Layer:
1/4 cup prepared date caramel (recipe above)
1/2 cup (65g) raw peanuts
1/2 cup (65g) raw cashews
1/3 cup (50g) gf oat flour
2/3 cup unsweetened dessicated coconut shreds
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Chocolate Layer:
4 ounces unsweetened baking chocolate (vegan if needed)
1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
1 tablespoon coconut cream *see note
Instructions
Date Caramel:
The first step is soaking the dates. They need at least 2 hours to blend well, but up to overnight is even better. Simply place them in a glass or metal bowl and pour boiling water (or very hot) over them and let them sit until softened.
Drain the dates and add them to a blender or food processor along with the other ingredients for the date caramel. Pulse until completely smooth and blended.
Crust Layer:
Scrape the caramel into a separate bowl and add about 1/4 cup of it back to the blender. Add the other ingredients for the crust layer to the blender and pulse until it comes together into a thick, slightly crumbly mixture (you'll most likely need to scrape the sides a few times between pulses).
Line a medium sized pan (such as an 8x8 or a 9x11) with parchment and press the crust mixture into it tightly.
Now add the rest of the prepared date caramel to the top and smooth into an even layer with a rubber spatula. Chill in the freezer for at least an hour.
Chocolate Layer:
Melt the coconut oil and unsweetened chocolate in a double boiler over low heat, stirring gently. Once smoothly melted, stir in the maple or honey and pour out over the top of the chilled bars. Allow the chocolate to set before cutting into bars and serving slightly chilled.
Store in the fridge in an airtight container.
Notes
Coconut cream can be purchased on it's own at stores like Trader Joe's or you can simply use a can of full-fat coconut milk. Chill the can and use the thick cream on the top of the can that separates from the liquid.
For more great food ideas, please do not forget to look at my other recent food posts
- Carne Asada Breakfast Burritos
- Goji Berry Banana Chia Breakfast Jars
- Chocolate Fudge Brownies with a Secret
- Dark Chocolate Covered Espresso Bean Mini Loaves
- Homemade Sushi with Salmon
- Jamaican Jerk Chicken Plates + Mango Salsa
- Chocolate Chunk Cookie Dough Protein Bars
- Ricotta Lemon Pancakes+Whipped Honey Butter
- Asparagus & Feta Puff Pastry Tarts
- All The Chunks Browned Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies - VIDEO
ALL CONTENT IS MINE AND ORIGINAL! All of these food photos were taken with my Nikon D750 and my favorite Lens, the Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G. You can find out more in my INTRO POST.
And, by the way, to all the minnows out there, my intro post did a huge $0.21. The key to success on Steemit is to be consistent and persistent. Click on the link below for some great tutorials on how you can also succeed on the steem blockchain:
Master Toolkit: Steemit Resource Guide Illustrated by @sndbox
Also, a huge shoutout to @rigaronib for designing my logo!
Do you want to learn more about me? Click here to see a recent @wadepaterson interview with me - 20 questions with @gringalicious
great photos, Congratulations!
thanks
They look and sound so good! Thanks for sharing :)
thanks so much for stopping by and commenting @fran.hardwicke
looks appetizing!
thanks so much for taking the time to comment @litrbooh
Nice
Thanks for the recipe, simplicity and creativity
Well done ....
Nice ..
Great work from you, well done
Thank you for sharing this recipe with us
What to do during work hours?
sorry about the crying part, hopefully you will find some one, or better yet, you will try it yourself
nice food and good presentation. i like it
So glad to hear it @thedawn!
Wowoo
SO GREAT FOOD PHOTO SHOOT.
This comment has received a 0.40 % upvote from @speedvoter thanks to: @emonnaim01.
wow yummy hungry now😍😍
delicious, my mouth waters. Excellent post
Snickers mal köstlich und gesund :) Danke fürs Posten
I made some raw bars as well. I just used dates, oatmeals, coconut oils, coconut flakes and some nuts. Knead it into a sticky dough, refrigerate it. It's perfect to snack on the go :) Your recipe definitely sounds really tempting but I guess I would cut out peanut butter to lower the calories. Thanks for sharing :)
Thanks @explorenations! I hope you enjoy it.
fabulous idea and fabulous photos
Thanks as always for your sweet comment @mamaloves!
nice picture and delicious
Great photos,nice food and good presentation :)
thanks, I am glad you liked it
Absolutely great!
I can't wait to try this recipe! I looks delicious :) Thank you for sharing @gringalicious
Wow amazing photography i appreciate your food thanks for sharing..
I appreciate your time to comment @rkaitra, thanks!
yummy, Totally going to make these
resteemed :)
That's so great to hear. Thanks @knowthycrypto!
wow .... certainly very delicious..so can not wait to try. thanks for the information. I really like
I'm so glad. I hope you enjoy @latifah1!
Amazing food photography
That's a huge compliment. Thanks @noboxes!
Wow this looks gracious the lighting is so smooth . Which lights were you using anyway?
By the way I also do photography can we be friends and help each other grow?
Follow for follow?
That's great to hear from another photographer. I use natural light always and I'd love to be friends. Thanks @devasish.
Resteemed this so I can't forget to make this soon, @gringalicious! Just by looking at your pictures (and going through the ingredients), I can tell I and my family will love this healthy take on Snickers. Thanks for sharing! 😊
P.S. Time to count yourself in to one of the legendary recipe makers in your family. 😁
I really hope you and your family enjoy it and thank you so much for the kind compliment @everydayart!
Hello, they look delicious, I'll take note to make your recipe, greetings @gringalicious
Hi, @eliangel! Thanks for reading!
Very nice recipe it sounds delicious:)
That's very kind of you. Thanks @drawmeaship!
Those snickers look really good, Mmmm .. they sure are delicious, greetings @gringalicious
I am so glad you liked it @elcaminante
This looks very tasty! =)
I am so glad you liked it @splendorhub, thanks so much for taking the time to comment
Cool! I didn't even know you could do chocolate without milk. Looks delicious!
I am so glad you took the time to comment @raci
Of course, it's the least I can do for such a great post 😊 have a great day!
I really love chocolate, your dessert looks delicious, and I am shure that it is very healthy. Pictures are very goo done, congrats.
thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a great comment
You are welcome, keep doing excellent recipes and photographs.
I see your last post is also chocolate and this chocolate with other recipe , very creative person . I will read all of your post . awesome
thanks so much for commenting and thanks for reading my posts @madamuhammad
U'r welcome , this is my discord mada#6435
Find me there , see you ;) @gringalicious
This is a dangerous article to who that are hungry like me
thanks so much for commenting @carlatortoza
Ohhhhh this looks like heaven! Your food photography is on point as usual - thanks so much for the amazing vegan inspiration @gringalicious ♥ Upvoted & resteemed of course!
I'm glad I was able to produce some vegan content for all of you vegans
♥
You got a 61.57% upvote from @brupvoter courtesy of @gringalicious!
Woww absolutely love this recipe! Snickers bars were one of my favourites before I went vegan. I made similar ones to these not too long ago and loved them! Healthy but so delicious! :)
thanks so much for the great commenting @nina.ser
upvote for upvote https://steemit.com/polish/@szymq/moja-pierwsza-zupa-miso
I love the mute button
Nice photography of chocolates.Looks like very delicious about it.If I do not make it, then I'll definitely buy it.I love chocolates most.
thanks so much for taking the time to comment on my post
Looks delicious, I have to test it out
I do hope that you give it a try @natureoffice
Okay, I need to make these!! They look super yummy! And your great pictures makes me so hungry! Thanks for sharing this with us!
Hey @susanne, thanks so much for all of your support. I do hope you have a chance to give these a try
if all steemians see this it will get empty in milliseconds hahahah that's so tasty :D
thanks so much for your daily support @blazing!
Oh, these look so delicious, thanks for sharing the recipe! 😋 Your photos are always on point! 👌
very kind words, thanks so much @jasmink
I lake chake chocolate
good to hear
Oh my, used to be one of my favorite candies! Can't wait to try making them myself, and in a healthier way! Awesome!
thanks so much for stopping by and leaving me a great comment @birdsinparadise
This post has received a 9.16 % upvote from @booster thanks to: @gringalicious.
Appetizing looks
Those candies bars are incredible!!! Especially you put the caramel dates, which will give them good taste! And more than this it’s healthy recipe, and it’s available for everyone.
Nice, will def give these a go. I have been going with this recipe for a protein boost snack up until now:
https://minimalistbaker.com/no-bake-vegan-protein-bars-4-ingredients/
Its great but popping the amaranth can be a tad slow. I added in oats and just more chocolate to bind it in the end.
I like your idea using the dates. Thumbs up from me.
Will follow to see what else you put out there, cheers.
It has been made delicious, and the best of all natural and healthy, you have placed a piece of peanut, but it sure is great. Thanks for sharing your recipe.
I Appreciate Your Awesome Photography @gringalicious