Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups mixed nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans, or your choice)
- 1 cup pitted dates, chopped
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt, plus extra for topping
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (at least 70% cocoa)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
- In a food processor, combine the mixed nuts and pulse until they are coarsely chopped. Be careful not to over-process; you want some texture.
- Add the chopped dates, cocoa powder, honey or maple syrup, sea salt, and vanilla extract to the food processor. Pulse until the mixture is well combined and sticky.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Press it down firmly and evenly with your hands or a spatula to create a compact layer.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, until slightly firm and fragrant. Remove from the oven and let it cool completely in the pan.
- Once cooled, melt the dark chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring in between until smooth.
- Pour the melted chocolate over the cooled nut mixture, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt on top.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to set the chocolate. Once set, lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment overhang and cut into squares or rectangles.
Notes
- For added flavor, consider mixing in a teaspoon of cinnamon or a tablespoon of nut butter into the nut mixture.
- Substitute the mixed nuts with your favorite nuts or seeds, such as sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds, for a different taste and texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg