My daughter Jade has preciously nicknamed these 'cookie bars', which I just love...
As she approaches her 4th birthday, she has begun to emulate some of my kitchen habits....
....she has her own notebook of recipes, she helps me cut the vegetables for dinner, and she even plays with the plastic food and kitchen set at our gym's daycare! It's too cute! 😀
I made these bars to accommodate Jadie's allergies and combine her two favorite treats: chocolate and cookies. I love giving her healthy, delicious food that she and I can enjoy together.
Double Layer Chocolate Cookie Bars
Ingredients
- BOTTOM CHOCOLATE LAYER:
- ⅓ c. oats
- ⅓ c. raw pumpkin seeds
- ¼ t. sea salt
- 9 Medjool dates about 5 ounces
- 3 T. cocoa powder
- 1 T. coconut oil melted
- 1 t. vanilla extract
- 1 T. water
- TOP COOKIE LAYER:
- 3 T. coconut oil melted
- 2 T. milk of your choice
- 2 T. maple syrup
- 1 t. vanilla extract
- ½ c. oats measured then ground into meal
- ⅛ t. sea salt
- 2 T. cacao nibs or chopped dark chocolate
Instructions
- FOR THE CHOCOLATE LAYER:
- Process the pumpkin seeds and oats until they are a meal consistency.
- Remove the mix, and add in the dates.
- Process the dates until they are paste-like.
- Add back the pumpkin/oat meals, along with the cocoa, salt, coconut oil, vanilla, and water.
- Process until well combined.
- Press the mix into a 7 x 5 glass Pyrex dish.
- Place in the refrigerator.
- FOR THE COOKIE LAYER:
- Whisk together the coconut oil, milk, maple syrup, vanilla, and stevia (if using).
- Stir in the ground oats, salt, cinnamon, and cacao nibs or chopped chocolate.
- Pour the 'batter' onto the chocolate layer.
- Place in the refrigerator (or freezer) to set.
- If you freeze them, be sure to allow about 15 minutes for de-thawing.
- Store in the refrigerator for best taste.
Notes
Nutrition
The cookie layer alone is worth writing home about....
As Jade and Natalie get older, their tastes are growing more diverse, which is nice for me because I can try out new recipes without crying and tight-lipped refusals of anything 'green'.
We have been enjoying these bars or my Raw Brownies just about every night....but beware of overdosing...
...hehehe...
What are your favorite summer treats?
In addition to raw desserts, I love cold fruit and smoothies.
Amanda
I made these yesterday and they are already all gone! One of the best raw desserts I have ever made! 🙂 Thanks!
Lauren
That's great, thanks for the comment Amanda!
Colleen
For the cookie layer, specifically. It says to measure before processing so I don't know what to measure with the flour.
Lauren
Hi Colleen,
It's about five tablespoons plus one teaspoon of oat flour. 🙂 I hope you enjoy them!!
Colleen
I already have some oatmeal flour. How much of that should I use? So excited to make these - my fave desserts combined and no baking!
Jill
The cocoa powder, is that sweetened or not. I have dark chocolate cocoa powder but unsweetened. Is that what is should be?? Please reply soon 😉 Thank you! They look yummy!
Lauren
Hi Jill,
I always use unsweetened. 🙂
Anne
First off, LOVE your website! Second, I made these last night and they are AMAZING! I'm eating super-clean right now but sweet treats are my biggest weakness so it's really nice to be able to enjoy a dessert like this knowing that it's not completely derailing my efforts!
Lauren
Thank you so much Anne! This recipe is one of my favorites, so I'm thrilled to hear you like it as well! 🙂
Marilyn Phillips
could I used another type of oil?
Lauren
Hi Marilyn,
Unfortunately, coconut oil is very unique in that it solidifies when cold. The only alternatives that I know of would be butter or (possibly) palm oil, though I've never tried either.
Sheelagh
Oh my goodness... I just made these and oh baby are they good! They're like a brownie topped in a cross between cookie dough and chocolate ganache! Mind blowing! I'm giving half of them as a gift and I know my friend will be pleased! Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Lauren
Oh that's awesome Sheelagh! This recipe is one of our favorites too. 🙂 Thanks for trying them and for the feedback!
Cath
"Her and I?"
Lauren
I'm lost.
Lauren
Ohhhh, you like to come on blogs and rudely correct grammatical errors? Have fun with that.
Shaun Hoobler
Those cookie bars look good. Thanks for sharing the recipe. Will try this at home.
Megan
Oh yum, a cookie in a cookie! These look amazing!
Anne @Authentic Simplicity
These look sooo delicious. And healthy, toO! Thanks for linking up to Healthy 2Day Wednesday!
Gabby @ the veggie nook
Your daughter sounds adorable! I remember being obsessed with my toy kitchen! I think you have a healthy chef in the making 😉
I love the sound of these cookie bars! Cookie dough + chocolate is never a bad idea!
Mary Frances @ The Sweet {Tooth} Life
I've been gone for a while and was thrilled when I saw both these and the raw brownies on Bloglovin'! They look JUST like cookie dough bars. Once again, your creativity in making healthy desserts amazes me. Pinned!
Laura | My Little Gourmet
These bars look so good Lauren, I think Arik would really like them too. And I know for a fact he would love hanging out with Jade. She is adorable and it sounds like she shares his love for cooking :). I love it when Arik gets all excited to help me out in the kitchen.
Thanks for the great recipe, we'll be trying these out soon!
Amber
Ha ha...that picture made my laugh.. What a sweetie pie.
I've been waiting for this recipe!!!!!. Thank you!!!!!
--Am
Sara
Whoops typed my email wrong in the last one 🙂
Sara
They look delicious!! When I first clicked on it, I didn't think I'd actually be able to eat it, since I have to be gluten free. All I have to do is use GF oats (which I always have on hand) and make sure everything else is GF...no crazy changes. Hooray 🙂
Kris, Neighbor Chick
What a sweetie-pie! These cookie bars look amazing. I'm tweeting and pinning!! Yum. Have a lovely day!
Neighbors About Town Blog
Andrea
Your girls are adorable! I love that she has her own notebook of recipes. I am going to have to do that with my daughter when she is old enough. It is so great that they like to help out in the kitchen. What a fun time to spend together 🙂
Your cookie bars look incredible, and they have such healthy ingredients in them. I haven't baked with pumpkin seeds before, but I will try these out. Thanks for sharing on Natural Living Monday!
Lauren
Thank you Andrea! Pumpkin seeds are so good for you, and I am putting them in everything lately. 🙂
Anna @ Your Healthy Place
These look AMAZING Lauren! LOVE the inclusion of cacao nibs and pumpkin seeds in the base - so good for you, so inventive.
Lauren
Thanks Anna! Ever since I learned pumpkin seeds were helpful with hormones and parasites, I've been eating them like a mad woman!...so consequently, they've also ended up in a lot of recipes. I hope you're doing well! 🙂
Ricki
She's so sweet! And I bet those bars are, too. Just gorgeous and my kinda snack! 🙂
Kim
OMG...These look delish!!! Thanks for sharing...can't wait to try them 🙂
Gail
Hi Lauren,
First what a sweet little girl. I think it is wonderful that you are starting Jade out helping you cook, and she will grow up interested, and knowing how to do just that as so many children today don't even know how to do the simplest of cooking tasks or even what simple pantry items are for that matter. Happy Birthday Jade!
I am definitely going to put these on the top of my baking list. They look like a healthier version of Nanaimo Bars...oh yum yum! I will come back to let you know how they turn out once the weather cools off.
Glad I found your site. Lots of awesome recipes. Keep up the great work.
Lauren
What a lovely comment, thank you Gail! 😀