Vegan Chocolate Date Bars
This Vegan Chocolate Date Bar recipe is the recipe you will make over and over again. It is healthy and flavorful and your kids will be asking for more. The oat crust is crisp and the chocolate fig flavor combination is a winner!
Servings: 24 bars
Ingredients
Bar Ingredients:
- 3 c all-purpose flour
- 2 c old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 c granulated sugar
- 1 ½ tsp kosher salt
Chocolate Date Filling:
- 1 c non-dairy margarine, melted
- 1 lb. pitted dates
- ¼ c hot water
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ c orange juice
- 1 c non-dairy chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9x13 baking pan with cookie spray and line with parchment paper. Make sure the paper is a couple of inches longer on the sides so you can lift it out easier.
- Melt the non-dairy margarine in a microwave-safe bowl and set it aside to cool. In a medium bowl, mix together flour, oats, sugar, and salt. Slowly add the cooled non-dairy margarine and stir until it is thoroughly mixed. The dough should clump together like wet sand. If it is not clumping enough, add ¼ water to the dough and mix again. Press ⅔ of the dough mixture into the prepared pan and press down firmly.
- Chop pitted dates and add to a food processor. Pour in the hot water and vanilla and pulse until the mixture is smooth. Slowly add the orange juice and mix again. Fold in the non-dairy chocolate and spread over the prepared oat crust. Crumble the reserved dough over the top and press down gently.
- Place in the oven and bake 35-40 minutes until the top is golden brown. Let cool and cut into squares.
Notes
Notes: To make gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour and make sure the oats are gluten-free as well.