Mint Chocolate Nanaimo Bars

Stop what you’re doing and head to the grocery store for the ingredients for this recipe!

It’s been ages since I’ve created a dessert recipe, but with Valentine’s Day around the corner…it’s time!Nanaimo bars were a household fave growing up (and still are), so much like many of the recipes I post, this is a healthified version of a childhood favourite. (Healthified is not a word, I know). 🙂

If you missed this last post about how to make your fave recipes healthier, this is no different. We’re using avocado as the filling, and a mix of nuts and dates as the crust! No feeling bad after this dessert!

I first tried a version of this recipe from A Dash Of Compassion, and have modified it from there.

This recipe is:

gluten free
dairy free
vegan
raw
soy free
and DELICIOUS

Recipe

Prep Time:

20 mins

Cook Time:

0 mins

Total Time:

20 mins

Serves:

20 small

Ingredients:

Base:

½ cup almonds
½ cup walnuts
1 cup Medjool dates, pitted (I like Natural Delights)
¼ cup raw cacao powder
Optional: ½ - 1 TBSP maple syrup

Filling:

2 small ripe avocados
⅓ cup maple syrup
¼ cup melted coconut oil
⅓ cup packed mint leaves
½ tsp of peppermint extract

Topping

2 TBSP coconut oil, melted
2 heaping TBSP raw cacao
1 TBSP maple syrup

Directions:

Line a loaf pan (about 9x5) with parchment paper. Enough that you could lift it out

For base:

Place almonds and walnuts in food processor and pulse until roughly chopped
Then add in dates and raw cacao, and blend until well mixed
It should stick together in your hand if you press it together. If it doesn't, add in the extra maple syrup.
Press out evenly into pan, making sure it's well stuck together
Place in freezer to set.

For Filling:

Clean out food processor, and add in avocados, mint, maple syrup and mint extract
Blend well
Add in melted coconut oil and blend again
Then scoop out into pan, spreading evenly on top of base, and put back in the freezer

For Topping:

Melt the coconut oil in a pan over low heat
Whisk in the raw cacao and maple syrup
Once the base and filling is relatively hard and frozen, pour the chocolate sauce overtop, as evenly as possible
Using a spatula, gently spread chocolate sauce overtop of entire thing
Place in freezer again

Notes:

Keep in the freezer until about 5 minutes before serving, as they will melt if out for too long.
For cutting them, use as sharp a knife as possible. The top chocolate part may crack, but don't worry - it will still taste great!

Mint Chocolate Nanaimo Bars