Nothing more I love than a delicious, healthy treat!...
...except maybe a good ghost story. How about both?
I don't really have a ghost story, more of an ongoing strange occurrence.
We've lived in our current home for a little under two years, but it's only been within the last six months that our shih-tzu Gus has been acting a bit odd.
His in-house bed resides near the fireplace, by which also sits our family room TV, a couch, and a standing lamp.
His bowls of food and water are also in this region, but over the stated time, he has become quite squeamish about this area of the house.
He takes bites of his food warily, always backing up a bit after doing so, and he constantly moves his bed away from this particular corner, all the while glancing over his doggy shoulder as though something is scaring him.
I very much believe in the intuition of animals and have not known what to make of his behavior.
It really began after I rearranged the furniture, placing the floor lamp near his turf, so I'm not sure if he's picking up on some sort of electrical malfunction or if perhaps it's originating from the fireplace...
It has definitely been noteworthy to both my husband and myself, and it makes our home feel a bit ominous at times...
Another Gus quirk is to sit and stare longingly at whatever food I may be preparing that day in the kitchen.
I often shoo him out, as begging is not appreciated, but sometimes I enjoy his company and indulge him with a few scraps.
One food he always comes running for is chocolate, which is ironic considering the toxicity it poses.
On the day I made these delicious treats, he was by my side, beseeching a chocolat-y crumb to fall into his open mouth...alas, his dreams were dashed by my meticulous kitchen habits.
Call it pregnancy cravings or the like, but I've recently had a hankering for Hershey's beloved Cookies 'n' Cream bar, thus inspiring my own healthy creation of the sweet.
With an underlying soft and fudgy cookie layer topped by a sweet, smooth 'cream' layer, these bars offer all of the taste and satisfaction without the guilt and sugar!
No-Bake Cookies and Cream Bars (Vegan)
Ingredients
- CHOCOLATE COOKIE LAYER:
- 1 c . raw walnuts
- ½ c . oats (I use Country Choice Organic Oats)
- 5 T . cocoa powder
- 1 c . soft dates (about 10-12 Medjool dates)
- ¼ t . sea salt
- 1 t . vanilla
- water , as needed to bring everything together (about 1-2 tablespoons)
- CREAM LAYER:
- 4 T . coconut oil , melted
- 2 T . milk of your choice (I use my homemade coconut milk)
- 1 T . maple syrup
- 6 drops liquid stevia
- ½ t . vanilla
- ⅓ c . oat flour (I make my own by grinding quick oats in a coffee grinder)
- a couple dashes sea salt
- 2 T . cacao nibs , optional
Instructions
- For the cookie layer, pulse the walnuts and oats a few times until broken down a bit.
- Pulse in the cocoa and salt.
- Add in the dates and vanilla.
- Process until combined, adding a bit of water as needed to bring everything together (I need about 1-2 tablespoons).
- Press the dough into a small glass dish (I use a 7 x 5 inch Pyrex dish).
- For the cream layer, MAKE SURE THE INGREDIENTS ARE AT ROOM TEMPERATURE, or the coconut oil cause yucky clumping.
- Whisk all of the cream layer ingredients together until smooth and well combined (sprinkle the optional cacao nibs atop, if desired).
- Pour atop the chocolate cookie layer.
- Freeze until the top layer is set.
- Cut and serve!
Notes
Nutrition
Notes:
For a nut-free version, you can replace the walnuts with pumpkin seeds.
These are definitely hard to resist, as evidenced by this cute photo...
🙂
Have you ever had any eerie encounters?
Lori
Hi Lauren! I'm going to make these today! Just a thought about your little canine...
It does sound like he is sensitive to energy and your thoughts on the
electrical are spot on. Try moving things again and see how he does. I know
some people find it hard to believe but I get weird sensations every time
I am around my electric oven. Otherwise.... Boo! You need to find your ghost!
Lauren
Haha, thanks Lori, I'll give that a shot! 🙂
dawn
Lately, one of my fur balls, is constantly clawing & holding me in the kitchen when my husband is in there also. it's just been recent. the only reason we can think of (which i asked my husband "are you beating him?" LOL) is, we had a big argument last month. i think he is protecting me now. maybe moving around Gus' stuff did result in his behavior but i'd look more into your families behavior. maybe somebody scared him while he was over there...? i know cats are finicky w/ moving & stuff but dogs adapt easily... at least mine do. maybe he got some sparks on him from being to close to the fireplace?... i know it's strange when things like this happen! BTW, the dessert looks YUMMY!
Lauren
Nothing behavioral, that I can recall, and the fireplace is never on. It seems like he's looking either at the base of the lamp or the fireplace seat area. I'm wondering if he detects a short in the lamp that would maybe cause a future fire or something?... I don't know, but I'm seriously considering rearranging things again! Thanks for your insights though!
Lauren
Thanks Mary! 🙂
Nora (A Clean Bake)
These sound like they are right up my alley, but I am going to have to save them for when my body is up to handling oat flour! So bummed!
Mike@TheIronYou
These look divine Lauren, especially that cream layer. One word: AMAZING!
Tessa@TessaDomesticDiva
I always love your stuff Lauren...your Andes Months are still one of our household favorites!
Lauren
Thanks so much Tessa! That truly means a lot coming from you. 🙂
Thalia @ butter and brioche
I always have a craving for Hershey''s cookies and cream bars... they have to be one of my favourite candy bars ever & I love your healthy alternative of it here!
Tessa@TessaDomesticDiva
ps, featuring your recipe this week!
Lauren
Yay, thank you!! 🙂
Yamir
Sold!!!! Making these!!
Kelli
I am avoiding oil...is there any substitute?
Lauren
Not to my knowledge, sorry!
Lauren
Is there any substitute for the stevia? Could I use a few more tbsps of maple syrup? Thanks 🙂
Lauren
I'm not certain, as I haven't tried, but you might have more luck with a granulated sweetener, like coconut sugar. That way, you don't throw off the wet-dry ratio.
Trish
Oh my, these were heavenly! I just love that top filling, I could eat that layer doubled by itself!!