It’s Halloween week and my kids are beside themselves.
They don’t normally get to indulge in candy, or “sugary” treats (as my daughter Milly calls it), but we absolutely let them enjoy candy-coated-crap, one night of the year.
As much as it pains me, I remember what it’s like to fill up that little orange bucket to the brim and sift through all its contents on the living room floor, sampling each and every morsel until my stomach would handle no more.
How in the WORLD could I deny my kids this superbly, wondrous experience??!?! I can’t. So… door-to-door knocking… we will go.
Now, when the dust settles, or should I say, when the fog from the fog-machine has lifted, I know my kids will want to keep the treat machine crankin’ because the day after Halloween ALL of their candy goes away. That’s right, the “Switch Witch” comes and picks up their buckets off of our porch and she leaves them a toy as a replacement (genius, I know).
I’ve played around a lot in the kitchen trying to come up with goodies built from healthy, natural ingredients so they can indulge.
Cue these peanut buttery dream bars. This is truly an indulgent dish that feels like such a TREAT, or more like a nice departure from what sits at the bottom of your child’s Halloween bag.
It’s a healthy spin on traditional no-bake cookies, but by making some healthy swaps, like using antioxidant filled cacao powder over chocolate chips, and coconut oil over butter, I was able to cut down on both fat and calories…but not on taste!
All you need is a saucepan and 10 minutes. Here’s the ingredients you’ll need:
No Bake Bars/Cookies Ingredients:
- 1 cup organic peanut butter (or almond butter)
- 1/2 cup unrefined coconut oil
- 1/3 cup + 1 tablespoon raw honey
- 2 teaspoons non alcohol vanilla
- 3 tablespoons cacao powder
- 2 1/4 cup gluten free oats
- 1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts (optional)
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts (garnish)
Directions:
1. Combine the peanut butter, coconut oil and raw honey in a medium size saucepan, melt on medium to low heat, 5-8 minutes. Do not boil.
2. Once everything is completely melted, take it off the stove and add in: vanilla, cacao powder, oats, chopped walnuts (optional).
I added 1/2 c. of chopped walnuts.
These are definitely optional. My kids are not walnut fans, but they go unnoticed tucked inside this treat. Here’s why you might want to add them:
- Excellent source of omega 3’s, protein and fiber.
- Contain biotin (vitamin B 7), which is great for the hair.
- Highest amount of antioxidants and B-vitamins which is great for the skin and protection from free radicals.
- Brain builder- they have a high concentration of DHA, a type of omega 3 fatty acid. DHA is said to improve brain function in adults and prevent cognitive decline. Amazing stuff.
3. Spread the mixture in a 9 x 7 (6 cups) Pyrex pan, or form into cookies on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. You can garnish the bars with walnuts. I only did half the pan using 1/4 c. chopped walnuts. If you want to do the entire pan, use 1/2 c. chopped walnuts to cover the top.
4. Pop the bars into the fridge for an hour to firm up, or freezer for 30 minutes.
5. Once firm, take them out of the fridge, cut them into squares and plate them.
You’ll get roughly 20 small bars. You’ll want to store and serve them from the fridge.
These bars are truly rich and decadent. My husband says it reminds him of a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup.
Peanut butter definitely stands out, but the coconut oil gives it such a nice creamy texture, while the honey balances it out with sweetness, and the oats give it some substance.
It’s a real chocolate TREAT that is Mom approved and most importantly, KID approved!
Have a safe and happy Halloween! 🎃
*NOTES
Be sure not to keep the heat low on the peanut butter/coconut oil/honey mixture so it doesn’t scorch.
You can easily turn these into no bake cookies, just dole out onto a cookie sheet and refrigerate 1 to 2 hours.
Store in refrigerator. Let soften in countertop for 10 minutes before serving.
