Chocolate cravings… am I right? These days, I can’t seem to get enough cacao goodness. Fortunately, raw cacao actually offers a wide variety of benefits (makes sense, as it is a “Food of the Gods”). And, there’s no better way to incorporate this medicinal food than by making a yummy dessert, such as this vegan Snickers bar.
I first began making healthier candy bars when I worked as a chef at the Pomegranate Cafe in 2011-2012. The bounty of vegan and vegetarian treats (from fluffy pastries to fully decorated gluten-free cakes) inspired a deep desire to create more nourishing desserts. Today, I still serve up this healthy Snickers bar because it wows guests and isn’t too difficult to make. With a little patience, you can enjoy this healthy candy bar, too.
‘Healthy’ Desserts – Let’s Go There…
Look, it’s never going to be “healthy” to gorge oneself on brownies and cake. My 15-year-old self didn’t like hearing this, but it is true, nonetheless. However, it will always be a “win” when I hear clients, friends, and family members state that they indulged in a healthier gluten-free muffin or a homemade date-sweetened candy bar rather than a conventionally-sweetened dessert. A step in the right direction is exactly that. So, when you need a little sweetness in your life, give thanks for the health benefits of ingredients that can be incorporated into these healthy variations. And, of course, enjoy.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Food processor
- Baking Tray
- Teflex or Parchment Paper
- Blender (such as the Vita-Mix)
- Mixing Bowls
How to Make This Recipe
Start by making the “cookie” base in a food processor. Smooth into the bottom of a Teflex-covered baking tray.
Next, make the date caramel in a high-speed blender. While you do this step, put the tray in the fridge or freezer so the cookie base easily sets.
After you add the caramel on top of the cashew cookie, sprinkling peanuts on top.
Once the base of the cookie is set (4-5 hours), cut out candy-bar-sized pieces. Keep the candy base in the freezer while you melt the chocolate.
Carefully, and over a big mixing bowl, drizzle the chocolate over your candy bar. Be sure to get all sides of the candy, and set it on another tray with Parchment paper. Before the chocolate hardens, add a few peanuts or almonds on top.
Allow your candy bars to further set (1-2 hours). And then, finally enjoy the efforts of your labor. You freaking deserve it.
Credit: Half Baked Harvest
Vegan Snickers Bar Recipe [Gluten-Free]
Need a Snickers? Look no further.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 2 Hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 18 Candy Bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: Paleo
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Cashew Cookie:
- 2 cups Cashews
- 4 Tbsp Raw Agave or Maple
- 4 tsp Raw Honey
- 4 Tbsp melted coconut oil
Date Caramel
- 1 1/3 cups pitted, packed Dates
- 10 Tbsp Raw Honey or Agave
- 1/2 cup Melted Coconut Oil
- 2 tsp pure Vanilla Extract
- 1 – 1/2 cups Raw Peanuts
Raw Chocolate:
- 1/2 cup Agave
- 3/4 cup Raw Cacao Powder
- 1/2 cup Melted Coconut Oil
Instructions
- In a food processor, grind cashews into a fine meal. Add in your remaining ingredients and pulse until well combined.
- In a 8 x 8 ceramic pan (I only had a rectangle-sized!), press your cashew cookie for the base. Place in the freezer while you make your caramel.
- In a high-speed blender, combine all caramel ingredients. Pour/spread over your crust, and put back in the freezer for a minimum of 3-4 hours. You want it to harden so you can cut into snicker-sized pieces and cover with chocolate.
- Warm your coconut oil in a medium-sized bowl. It helps to heat some water on the stove and stir your coconut oil in a metal or ceramic bowl above to help it melt.
- In the bowl, whisk all ingredients, slowly folding altogether. It should be loose and pourable.
- After the bars have hardened for 3-4 hours, slice into 1-inch x 3-inch pieces. Coat with chocolate by placing bars over chocolate (using a fork or spatula), and pour the warmed raw chocolate over, coating the entire bar.
- Place on parchment paper on a flat cutting board. Put right back in the freezer so it hardens. Do this with all of your bars.
Notes
Store your ‘raw Snickers’ in a Tupperware container in the freezer. Thaw for 10 minutes before serving. Will keep for 2 months if frozen, 1 week if refrigerated.
Keywords: healthy Snickers recipe, vegan Snickers, paleo Snickers, how to make Snickers at home,
What did you think of this recipe? Please comment below.
*Note – custom photos will be re-added soon. After migrating my website, I lost a lot of content. Fortunately, the recipes were retained. The lead image for this post is borrowed from From My Bowl.
