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Healthy, lower sugar, allergy-friendly recipes

Double Layer Chocolate Cookie Bars (Nut-Free, Raw, Vegan)

By 44 Comments

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My daughter Jade has preciously nicknamed these ‘cookie bars’, which I just love…

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As she approaches her 4th birthday, she has begun to emulate some of my kitchen habits….

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….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! 😀

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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.

Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Double Layer Chocolate Cookie Bars

A chewy brownie base topped with raw chocolate chip cookie dough.
Prep Time15 mins
Total Time15 mins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Raw
Servings: 12 bars
Calories: 153kcal
Author: Lauren Goslin

Ingredients

  • BOTTOM CHOCOLATE LAYER:
  • 1/3 c. oats
  • 1/3 c. raw pumpkin seeds
  • 1/4 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
  • 1/2 c. oats measured then ground into meal
  • 1/8 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 facts are based on using unsweetened almond milk and cacao nibs. Weight Watchers points (new system): 4

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 153kcal | Carbohydrates: 18.9g | Protein: 2.7g | Fat: 8.9g | Saturated Fat: 4.4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4.5g | Sodium: 62mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 10.8g

Inspired by this recipe

The cookie layer alone is worth writing home about….

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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…

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…hehehe…

What are your favorite summer treats?

In addition to raw desserts, I love cold fruit and smoothies.

Shared with: Make Your Own Monday, Natural Living Monday, Slightly Indulgent Tuesday, Fat Tuesday, Whole Foods Wednesday, Real Food Wednesday, Healthy 2day, Healthy Vegan Friday, Whole Food Friday

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Comments

  2. Colleen says

    For the cookie layer, specifically. It says to measure before processing so I don’t know what to measure with the flour.

    Reply

    • Lauren says

      Hi Colleen,

      It’s about five tablespoons plus one teaspoon of oat flour. 🙂 I hope you enjoy them!!

      Reply

  3. Colleen says

    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!

    Reply

  4. Jill says

    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!

    Reply

  5. Anne says

    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!

    Reply

    • Lauren says

      Thank you so much Anne! This recipe is one of my favorites, so I’m thrilled to hear you like it as well! 🙂

      Reply

    • Lauren says

      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.

      Reply

  7. Sheelagh says

    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!

    Reply

    • Lauren says

      Oh that’s awesome Sheelagh! This recipe is one of our favorites too. 🙂 Thanks for trying them and for the feedback!

      Reply

  12. Gabby @ the veggie nook says

    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!

    Reply

  14. Laura | My Little Gourmet says

    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!

    Reply

  18. Sara says

    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 🙂

    Reply

  21. Andrea says

    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!

    Reply

    • Lauren says

      Thank you Andrea! Pumpkin seeds are so good for you, and I am putting them in everything lately. 🙂

      Reply

    • Lauren says

      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! 🙂

      Reply

  25. Gail says

    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.

    Reply

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