6 Ingredient Raw Candy Bars

Whenever I’m creating a new dish or dessert, I usually need some sort of inspiration to start at. It can be from pictures I see on social media or even unhealthy dishes that I think have potential to be healthy! The other day, I was telling my friends my need for inspiration so they started throwing out some names of their favorite candy bars… Snickers, twix, butterfingers were a few to say the least. The following night at 10 PM, I found myself rummaging through my cabinets looking for candy bar ingredients. I wanted to make something yummy and delicious but healthy.

I started with the obvious, almonds. Most candy bars have nuts or nut butter so starting with almonds was a given. And I was stocked with more than enough almonds! I also used raw cacao which is chocolate in its natural, purest form. I love using cacao because you can control what sweetener you use to sweeten your dessert with. Its definitely a staple in my cabinet and it’s actually a really healthy source of natural fats. This way, if your sweet tooth is craving chocolate, you can indulge without the added sugar and junk. The chocolate coating I created is slightly bitter but works so well with the sweetness of the dates in the middle layer. 

I trusted my gut and just went for it. And I think the results paid off! Yes this is healthy, but it is also naturally sweet and naturally high in fat. So it goes without saying a small square goes a long way. It’s super rich and decadent…. It’s hard to stop at just one!

Ps. dont be overwhelmed by all the steps! I just tried to make it really clear for all of you, it’s not that complicated you only need 6 ingredients–dates, almonds. nut butter, coconut oil, cacao and pure vanilla extract. 

Base layer:

• 1 cup raw almonds
•  1 cup of dates
•  1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract 

1. In a food processor, process dates, almonds and vanilla extract until a doughy ball forms.
2. line an 8 inch pyrex with parchment paper, press your almond and date mixture into the pyrex. Note I didn’t fill the whole pyrex I used 3/4 of it, you want a this layer to be thick.

Middle layer:

• 1 tablespoon of nut butter
• 1 tablespoon of organic coconut oil (melted)
• 1/4 chopped raw almonds

1. In a small bowl combine nut butter and coconut oil.
2. Drizzle the mixture over your base layer.
3. Sprinkle the almonds over your base layer.
4. Place your pyrex in the freezer for around around 20 minutes to set.

Chocolate coating:

• 3 tablespoons organic coconut oil (melted)
• 2 tablespoons raw cacao 
• 1 tablespoon of nut butter

1. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl, mix well to combine.
2. Take your pyrex out of the freezer and cute them into 15 evenly sized bars.
3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
4. Dip each bar separately into the chocolate mixture coating each side (this might get messy).
5. Place each square on prepared baking sheet, you can top with additional nuts or coconut at this point.
6. Place your baking sheet with chocolate squares in the freezer for at least 2 hours or until chocolate hardens. You can leave it as is or cut them in half.

Store in an airtight container in the freezer. Be sure to keep them frozen or the chocolate coating will melt.