Description

These homemade candy bars have a rich coconut base that's topped with chewy date caramel and encased in dark chocolate. These bars are paleo, vegan, gluten free and dairy free.

Ingredients

Scale

Coconut Base

1/2 cup coconut cream*
2 Tbsp maple syrup
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut

Caramel Filling

1 cup Medjool dates, pitted (about 14 dates)
2 Tbsp coconut oil
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/8 tsp salt

Chocolate Coating

1 cup dark chocolate chips
1 Tbsp coconut oil

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Instructions

Line a loaf pan with parchment paper and set aside. I used a 9" x 5" loaf pan.
Make the coconut base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the coconut cream, maple syrup and vanilla. Mix in the shredded coconut.
Scoop the base mixture into your lined loaf pan and firmly press it down to an even, level layer.
Make the Caramel Filling: Soak the dates in hot water for 5 minutes** Then drain the water and place the dates in your food processor, along with the coconut oil, vanilla and salt.
Blend, stopping a couple times to scrape down the sides, until the caramel filling has an even, sticky consistency.
Scoop the filling onto the base. Use a spatula to spread the caramel filling over the base to an even, level layer.
Chill the bars: Place the bars in the freezer overnight, or for at least 4 hours. You want the coconut base and caramel filling to be firm before dipping the in melted chocolate.
Make the Chocolate Coating: After chilling the bars, melt the dark chocolate and coconut oil for the coating.
Cut the bars to desired size. (I've made this recipe multiple times and cut them into either 12 or 16 pieces. It just depends on how big you want the bars.)
Dip the bars, one at a time, into the melted chocolate. Once dipped, lay them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to set.
Optional: drizzle any remaining chocolate over the bars and top with a pinch of flaked sea salt.

Notes

*You'll use just the thick white cream from a can of full fat coconut milk/cream. If you open a can and the cream has not separated from the milk, then place the can in your refrigerator overnight.

**To soak the dates, place the dates in a glass or ceramic bowl. You can either heat a pot of water on the stovetop and pour it over the dates until they are fully submerged. Or, pour water over the dates and then heat them in the microwave for 2 minutes.