Healthy Almond Chocolate Layer Bars

Ingredients

Base:

• 100g (1 cup) old fashioned rolled oats
• 50g (½ cup) unsweetened shredded coconut
• 25g (¼ cup) almond flour
• ¼ tsp salt
• 80g (1/3 cup) almond butter
• 60ml (¼ cup) maple syrup

 Chocolate Layer:

• 120g (½ cup) almond butter
• 60ml (¼ cup) maple syrup
• 3 tbsp water
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 50g (½ cup) unsweetened cocoa powder
• Pinch of salt

 Crumb Topping:

• 35g (1/3 cup) old fashioned rolled oats
• 25g (¼ cup) unsweetened shredded coconut
• 2 tbsp arrowroot flour
• Pinch of salt
• 2 tbsp almond butter
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 60g (1/3 cup) dairy-free chocolate chips

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (Gas Mark 4, 350°F) and line a 9”x5” loaf pan with baking foil, allowing some to extend past the rim of the pan.
2. To make the base: in a large bowl, whisk together the oats, coconut, almond flour, and salt.
3. Add in the almond butter and maple syrup, stirring well to combine.
4. Firmly press the dough into the prepared loaf pan using your hands or the bottom of a flat cup.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 min.
6. Allow the base to cool completely in the pan.
7. For the chocolate layer: preheat your oven to 180°C again if you turned it off while the base was cooling. In a medium bowl, mix together the almond butter, maple syrup, water, and vanilla extract.
8. Add the cocoa powder and salt. Mix together until well combined. Set aside.
9. For the crumb topping: in a separate bowl, mix together the oats, coconut, arrowroot, and salt.
10. Add in the almond butter and maple syrup. Mix together until the mixture forms large crumbs. (Using a fork or hands works best).
11. Evenly spread the chocolate layer over the cooled base layer.
12. Crumble the crumb topping over the chocolate layer. Lightly press the crumbs into the chocolate layer to make sure they stick.
13. Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the crumb layer.
14. Bake for 11-13 min. or until the top turns golden brown and the edges are firm to the touch.
15. Allow the bars to cool in the pan and then remove them by lifting out the baking foil.
16. Slice into square and enjoy your decadently delicious almond chocolate layer bars!

Recipe from Healthy Hacks