Inspired by Ambitious Kitchen
My new favorite no bake treat has to be these squares. Ambitious Kitchen's no-bake recipes newsletter featured the original recipe which makes balls, but I tweaked a few ingredients and steps to make squares. They are so easy to make! Not only are they delicious but they are nutritious. When I crave a sweet treat these squares are my new go to dessert or snack. They are packed with fiber and protein so go ahead and indulge. As always if you choose to make this recipe or any other recipe using Parchies Oven Clips post a photo & tag us @parchies.kitchen.
Ingredients:
6 large Medjool dates, pitted (about 1/2 cup packed pitted dates)
2 1/2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup all natural creamy or crunchy peanut butter
3/4 cup oats
2 tablespoon chia seeds
2 tablespoons cacao nibs*
Chocolate Topping
¼ cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips*
½-1 tablespoon refined coconut oil melted
Flaky sea salt such as Maldon
*I used 72% Guittard Chocolate Chips with coconut sugar
Instructions:
Line a 8”x8” pan with parchment paper, clip down sides with Parchies Oven Clips. In a large bowl, stir together the chia seeds and cacao nibs. Set aside.
Add dates and water to the bowl of a food processor or high speed blender, process a few times until dates begin to break down a bit and form a paste. Next add in maple syrup, vanilla and peanut butter; process again until it begins to look like a wet cookie dough and ingredients are well combined. Add the oats and pulse a few times.
Transfer to a date mixture to a large bowl add chia seeds and cacao nibs with a wooden spoon, mix well. At this point if you want more texture you can add more oats, chopped peanuts or even chocolate chips. Pour batter into a parchment lined pan. Using your hands working from the center out, spread the Oat Square dough evenly to the corners. I know it's a little messy, so my advice is to coat your hands with a small amount of coconut oil so the dough doesn't stick.
Chocolate Topping: Melt chocolate chips and coconut oil over a double broiler or in a microwave, stirring to combine. Spread melted chocolate on the Oat Square dough and place in the freezer for at least 6 hours. Remove from freezer and cut into squares. Enjoy 💙
Squares will last 5-7 days in the refrigerator or up to one month in the freezer. Trust me they won’t last more than a few days.