These date bars are made with cacao and almond butter and topped with melted chocolate and a bit of salt. Raw perfection at its finest!
I know it’s the new year and you’re only supposed to eat salads and not crave chocolate anymore, but that’s not necessarily the case. Well, not with me anyway. I love salads—LOVE them—but I also really really really love chocolate. Sorrynotsorry. I didn’t really go overboard with the Christmas candy this year, so perhaps that has something to do with it. Or the fact that it’s chocolate we’re talking about here.
Aside from chocolate, dates are considered nature’s candy, and if you’ve ever had them raw then you probably understand why. They’re naturally sweet, meaning they can make any recipe sweeter without having to add 45 cups of sugar. Have I mentioned that I love sugar? I do, but natural sugar is much better for the body (and heart and mind and everything else) then refined sugar. DUH, you knew that.
These bars are thick, chewy, chocolate-y with a very subtle taste of almond butter—topped with salt perfection. Salted chocolate is where it’s at these days, no? Since they’re raw, I automatically assume they’re just as healthy as eating broccoli and ate five bars in one day. Totally goes along with the whole ‘eat healthy after the holidays’ theme that America is going for. Raw bars ARE typically healthier, but try to limit your consumption. Actually, who am I to give advice? Don’t listen to me. I think it’s one of those ‘if I could go back in time’ situations because if I hadn’t eaten so many in one day then they would have lasted longer and I could be enjoying one right now!! Anger—sorry.
The good news is that Miguel requested that I make these again. The bad news is that I rarely listen to him. Wait..that sounds bad. Ya see, I love making new recipes, so revisiting old recipes is a rarity for me. But these were one of those ‘just throw into the food processor and voila!’ type deals, so that I think I can handle making them again. And when I do make them, I’ll be sure to savor them instead of shoving my face.
Well, I say that now, but I’m not making any promises.
- 1½ cup dates, pitted
- ¼ cup + 1 tbsp cocoa powder
- 3 tsp maple syrup
- ½ cup almonds
- ¼ cup almond butter
- ½ tsp vanilla
- ¼ tsp salt + extra for topping
- ½ cup dairy-free chocolate chips (I used Enjoy Life)
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- First and foremost, make sure dates are pitted! Then, place dates and almonds into a food processor and pulse.
- Add cocoa powder, syrup, almond butter, salt, and vanilla to processor and pulse until everything is mixed together.
- Place mixture in a 5x8 pan and smooth out with a spatula**
- Place in refrigerator for approx. 10 minutes, allowing bars to harden a bit.
- Melt chocolate chips and coconut oil together in a microwave-safe dish.
- Remove bars from refrigerator and drizzle melted chocolate overtop; place back in the refrigerator for an additional 10 minutes.
- Cut, serve and enjoy!
Q: Are you still on the chocolate train or are you on a chocolate-free cleanse? Food bloggers: how often do you remake your recipes?
These look amazing. Do they need to be stored cold? I’d like to make them for a holiday cookie exchange. Thanks!
Hi Kristyn,
If you were making them in the summertime, I’d say yes, but I’m thinking you should be fine this time of year 🙂 Let me know how they turn out!
Well, these are pretty much perfect and I think I better make them asap! Thanks!!
Deryn @ Running on Real Food recently posted…Bell Pepper and Chickpea Salad with Tahini Dressing
Swooning. SWOONING. I want the entire pan. I’ve actually have been meaning to make date bars, but every time I go to the grocery store I see hoe expensive they are and shrug off the craving. That habit might need to change 😉
Christine@ Apple of My Eye recently posted…Japan in Photos Round #2!
I still have a little chocolate now and then (aka probably once a day). Honestly, when it’s the quality stuff I feel zero guilt. These bars look amazing.
Some recipes I make are staples others are on a slower rotation.
Georgie recently posted…Holidays in London
I love how healthy these chocolate and date bars are.. such a perfect treat for me to snack on. Thanks for sharing it!
Thalia @ butter and brioche recently posted…Tiramisu Crepe Cake
Dates are magical! This looks so good and I bet it will taste awesome when I try it out–adding to my long list of desserts I need to make
Kate recently posted…Fitness Resolutions 2015: Things I Never Wanted to Do…
Dates ARE magical–thanks Kate!
Wait, so you mean there’s a chocolate train and it’s actually possible to fall off of it? Yeah, no. Not in my world. Going without chocolate for any time longer than 24 hours is cruelty.
These bars sound so good you might tempt me to break my resolution of using up my pantry items before buying new ones because I don’t have enough dates on hand anymore. Couldn’t you have posted these a few days earlier so New Year’s resolutions hadn’t been in full tune yet 😉 ?!
Miss Polkadot recently posted…Vegan Red Pepper Cream Rice [gluten-free]
Haha sorry! 😀
Dates are easily one of my favourite things in life. Along with chocolate. And almond butter. So basically… these sound like heaven to me <3
Amanda @ .running with spoons. recently posted…. link love 1/4 .
Dude, the chocolate train never stops for me. Like ever. So yes, I am still on it 😉 I need to start using dates in recipes more often – they are a great healthy alternative!
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles recently posted…Goal Talk: January.
They are! And I don’t know if/how anyone could ever get off of the chocolate train.
These look so good – I might have accidentally just drooled a little bit. Pinning!
Marisa @ Uproot from Oregon recently posted…Freezer Green Chile Black Bean Burgers
Hehe 🙂 Thanks lady!
Ugh reason #4567 I need to get a food processor. I love dates and I know they make delicious healthy sweets but I just can’t bring myself to get one! I feel like I’ve said this six or seven times on your blog haha because you always make such good looking treats!
Lauren @ ihadabiglunch recently posted…the birthday: cake for breakfast and other overdoses
If it makes you feel any better, I procrastinated getting one for a looooong time too. I think mine only cost $30 or so and it works decently well.
Ohhhh my gosh this was one of the first things I saw before breakfast and now ALL I want for breakfast is chocolate!!! Ugh these look so good.. making me miss my kitchen at home!
Nicole @ Squash on Squash recently posted…Hello, 2015 + {Friday Favourites}
Haha sorry 😀 All you need is a food processor!
These look to die for! And I’m the same, I want chocolate all year long, never cleanse from it, that would be bad haha!
Chelsea @ Raw N’ Toned recently posted…HIIT Workout
That would be terrible!
Yum! I’m not on a cleanse, per se, but I’m watching the indulgences right now. These totally don’t look bad for you, though! I’ve never bought whole dates before cause I’m too lazy to pit and cut them, but I found some that are already in tiny chunks, which is amazing!
Kelly @ Kelly Runs For Food recently posted…Heading back to the real world
Whaaaat?! Where did you find them? Those sounds too good to be true.
They’re Sun-Maid! Just check where the dried raisins are in your store and you might find them. They’re already pitted and chopped for you.
Kelly @ Kelly Runs For Food recently posted…How to start (and stick to!) your new health goals
“Since they’re raw, I automatically assume they’re just as healthy as eating broccoli and ate five bars in one day.” I haven’t laughed like that for a while, thank you so much haha. I totally feel you on this one
Haha! Date bars are totally the same as broccoli…
I love chocolate. And I love dates. This sounds like a recipe my whole family would enjoy. I can eat dates like candy..they are surprisingly delicious!
AJ @ NutriFitMama recently posted…10 Tips for a Healthier 2015 and FREE Fitness Planner
They are!! They’re definitely underrated.
I really don’t remake my recipes, I feel way better about not doing that now that you said you don’t!
I’m going to juice starting today. I am going to try to go run then go pick it up. WOMP WOMP. Maybe I’ll make these squares of deliciousness this weekend!
Cassie recently posted…Goals for 2015
DO IT and then send me a pic so then I can start craving them and remake them ASAP.
I’m a huge fan of dark chocolate, but not a huge fan of dates. Mixed into a recipe for the added sweetness, I can do, but eating dates alone like candy (as you say) I cannot do. So I may have to try this but with a few less dates, maybe more almond butter instead;) They came out beautifully and thanks for sharing!
Bre @bumpandrunchat recently posted…scrapbook: colorado
Yes that would work!
These look like the perfect way to start off the new year! I really can’t blame you for eating five in one day, that sounds like exactly what I would do!
Danielle {Styelleish } recently posted…Ankle Boots
Thank you Danielle! They’re addicting!