While a good ol’ fashioned Snickers bar has no appeal to me, I love the combination of crunchy peanuts, caramel, chocolate, and a touch of salt. So I created this dreamy recipe for melt-in-your-mouth bars that taste even better than the classic candy bar. They’re vegan, they’re raw, and they’re made with good-for-you ingredients like dates, cashews, oats, and, of course, peanuts. I love to keep a batch on hand for an instant semi-healthy treat when the craving hits, and I am always instantly satisfied.
Makes 10 bars
What you need:
For the crust:
- 1½ cups raw cashews, lightly toasted
- ⅓ cup rolled oats
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 7 Medjool dates
For the caramel filling:
- 20 Medjool dates
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean powder
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 cup whole raw peanuts
For the chocolate coating:
- 1½ cups vegan chocolate chips
- Maldon sea salt flakes for topping
What you do:
- For the crust, into a high-speed blender, add all ingredients. Blend until a crumbly mixture forms. Press mixture into an 8 x 8-inch square pan lined with parchment paper. Set aside.
- For the caramel filling, wipe blender clean. Add dates, water, vanilla, and salt. Blend until creamy and caramel-like. Spread mixture evenly over crust. Sprinkle peanuts evenly on top of caramel layer, and gently press to stick.
- Place pan in freezer for 1 hour, or until caramel is set (it should be firm enough to cut through). Remove from pan (save parchment paper for later), and cut into 10 bars.
- Over a double-boiler, melt chocolate chips until smooth. Let cool slightly. Dip each bar into chocolate and place on parchment paper. Sprinkle with sea salt flakes. Transfer bars to freezer for approximately 10 minutes, or until set. Store bars in refrigerator or at room temperature.
Healthy hints:
>> Fresh, very soft Medjool dates work best for this recipe. If you have Medjool dates that are on the harder side, soften in water for a few hours and drain before using.- >> Not a peanut fan? Simply swap peanuts for your favorite nut.
- >> Looking for other chocolate-covered treats? Check out my Chocolate-Dipped Pecan Pie Truffles and Peanut Butter Cup Truffles.