So, me and the fam are preparing for our first official road trip this weekend.
It would be no big deal to any normal American family, but for us it's huge!
You see, since our daughter Jade was born (over four years ago), my husband and I haven't ventured out much past our front door, and I'm feeling a bit trepidatious.
Despite the fact that it's only an overnight stay, Jade and I are a bit more high maintenance in that we need to take precautionary everything. Allergy-friendly food to eat and fragrance-free bedding to sleep on, along with the usual clothes, hygiene items, and personal effects are just some of the items on the list for packing.
In the past, I've often had trouble with hotel rooms, as they can either have various chemical smells from cleansers or potpourri scents or even strong laundry odors in the sheets and blankets, so I've learned to be prepared!
Luckily, there's a Whole Foods about five miles away from where we'll be staying, but I'm also planning on bringing a few prepared treats of my own in case I don't feel like shelling out the extra cash for California prices.
These treats will be the perfect little pick-me-up on our six-hour drive. They'll easily be kept chilled in our cooler, they're light and portable, yet nutrient dense, and the creamy sweetness will give my husband and I something to raise our spirits and look forward to!
Chocolate Cookie Dough Candy Bars (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Ingredients
- COOKIE DOUGH BASE:
- 6 T. coconut oil melted
- 3 T. dairy-free milk of your choice I used homemade coconut
- ¼ c. maple syrup
- 1 t. vanilla
- ¼ t. sea salt
- ¼ t. cinnamon
- ⅔ c. oat flour
- 3 T. cacao nibs or dark chocolate pieces optional
- CHOCOLATE LAYER:
- ½ c. cocoa powder
- ¼ c. maple syrup
- 2 T. coconut oil melted
- 2 T. water
- pinch sea salt
- ½ t. vanilla
Instructions
- Lightly oil a 7 x 5 inch glass baking dish.
- Mix together the ingredients for the cookie dough layer until well combined (try to use room temperature milk or the cold liquid may seize up the coconut oil, making it a bit lumpy).
- Pour the cookie dough layer into the glass dish and place into the refrigerator until slightly firm to the touch.
- Mix together the ingredients for the chocolate layer until well combined.
- Pour atop the cookie dough layer and spread evenly with a spatula (do this quickly so as to get a smooth, uniform layer).
- Place back into the fridge (or freezer) until set.
- Cut and serve!
- Keep in the fridge for best serving results.
Notes
Nutrition
I have great memories of being a kid and raiding convenience stores with my dad while on family road trips, but this time, it'll be nice to have my own healthier alternative to the processed candy bars sold in gas stations along the way.
These are both dairy-free and nut-free, making them more suitable for those with allergies to either.
I foresee these making our trip much more pleasurable! 😀
Do you travel often? What are your favorite snacks to bring along when you are out of your home?
Kimmythevegan
ohmygersh!!!! These look fabulous! You know what I love about these (besides that they look & sound amazing!) is that I have every single one of the ingredients for these little bars of goodness =)
I have an upcoming trip and these will help me get through without spending a ton of cashola on snacks (Whole Foods is my downfall - I always spend waaay too much there).
Thank you so much for sharing these at HVF - I'm featuring them this week. I'm sharing & saving to make!
Lauren
Lol, thanks Kimmy! I hope you like them if you make them!
Marla
Hi Lauren,
I sure understand what you are talking about because I too have many allergies & sensitivities and the chemical ones are a real trial. You literally can't go any where without worried about if someone is going to have some kind of scented products on that you will react to - so you stay home where you can be safe.
I love your recipe - sounds tasty and healthy - a great snack. Thanks for sharing on Real Food Fridays. Pinned & tweeted!
Lauren
Thank you so much Marla!
Jesse
They sound delicious, but you have to buy special oats for this to be gluten free which is not specified. The reason for this is most oats are processed in wheat facilities, and oats in particular have a way of attracting wheat particles and become contaminated. Just a little info, as some people seem to think ALL oats are gluten free. Thanks for the wonderful recipe!
Bianca
These look so mouth-watering! Can you replace the coconut oil with anything else? Butter, maybe? I'd love to make these for a last minute Mother's Day's treat!
Lauren
Hi Bianca,
Butter should work great! 🙂
Keira
sorry if you already addressed this somewhere in the post but any way to make these grain free?
thanks so so much!!
Lauren
Hi Keira,
You could try subbing the oat flour for almond flour (they have a similar texture). Let me know if you give it try! 🙂
Roxanne
Hi Lauren, I made these on the weekend and everyone loved them. I packed it in my kids lunches too because they are nut free. So good... closest thing I've had to a Nanaimo bar since we went gluten free. So good.
Lauren
Thanks so much for all your comments Roxanne! I'm so happy you're enjoying the recipes!! 😀
Heather
I'm so glad I found these! I hate long car rides but we are going on a road trip in two weeks. These look like just the thing I need to make the ride more bearable...and a healthier treat option since we will be attending a birthday party at our destination.
Lauren
Thanks Heather! I hope you enjoy them as much as we do! 🙂
Ashley
Made these 2 nights ago and ended up eating half the pan in one sitting. Whoops! Going to make them again tonight and try to restrain myself. It's tough, though...
Lauren
That's awesome Ashley, I'm so happy you enjoyed them! 😀
Cassie
I travel pretty often... I pack nuts, granola bars, kind bars... I want to make these soon though, they look so good!! And the nutrition is pretty good too! Are the bars a good size?
Lauren
I feel like they are because they're so dense! 🙂
Amy
Oh my gosh these are HEAVENLY. I just made them last night and wanted to eat the entire pan. I don't think I've ever tasted anything so wonderful! Thank you for this recipe!
Lauren
That's awesome Amy, thanks for trying them! 😀
Mike @TheIronYou
Lauren, you are definitely the queen of bars. Every single one you create looks more amazing than the previous one. You're so talented, you should write a cookbook about them!
In the meantime, good luck with the road trip and I can't wait to hear everything about it.
Laura O| Petite Allergy Treats
Hi Lauren!
OMG. This look so great AND allergy friendly! I can't tell you how excited I am to see these. My son recently passed his food challenge with Oat and I've been looking for new recipes. Gorgeous photos too!
Marianne
Oh yum! They look so good:)
Have fun on your trip. Hope it isn't too tiring.
jill conyers
The bars look so good! I would love to attend the conference. If only still lived in CA. Can't wait to hear all about it.
Lauren
Thanks Jill! I'm hoping to get some good pics and share them next week. 🙂 Thanks for tweeting too! 😀
Allison @ Clean Wellness
That's awesome about your first road trip! I'm sure you will all make plenty of new and lasting memories. So cute! I always bring car snack with me. They're essential. And can you please write a dessert cookbook? You're healthy treats are so delicious and always turn out so well -also, everyone in my house can eat them!
Have fun this weekend 🙂
Lauren
Thanks so much Allison! We are hoping for a fun trip despite all my worrying. 🙂
Gabby @ the veggie nook
Good luck on the trip! I'm sure it will go well, you are so prepared!
Joanna
These look so yummy!! And fairly healthy, too! 😉
Christine@ Apple of My Eye
I can't get over how delicious these look! I could seriously eat cookie dough right out of the mixer for dinner and be completely happy haha ;). Great recipe and beautiful photos!
Lauren
Thanks Christine! Haha, I don't think the words 'I don't like cookie dough' have probably ever been uttered. 🙂
Mary Frances @ The Sweet {Tooth} Life
Cookie dough and chocolate are always problem solvers! Ok, maybe not all, but they sure do make car trips easier! I hope everything goes well, Lauren. Knowing you, I'm sure you've got everything in order and called everyone you needed to - wishing you all a fun filled trip! Pinning these for my next trip 🙂
Lauren
Thanks girl! 😀
dawn
you poor thing, worrying about all those allergies!
when i go on vaca, i pack enough food and clothes that it looks like i'll be gone for weeks. better safe than sorry 🙂 safe travels!
btw, how do you come up w/ the calorie info on your recipes?
Lauren
Hahaha! I have a feeling this trip might end up looking that way too!
For the nutrition info, I just use calorie count. 🙂